Adapted from the 1982 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker, the musical adaptation of The Color Purple (directed by Darcell Bios) spans 40 years in the life of Celie (Danica McKinney), a young African American woman who endures physical and emotional abuse at the hands of both her stepfather (Courtney Davis) and her husband, Mister (Edward Burkley).
Despite being held prisoner in her own home and struggling to forge an intimate connection with Mister, Celie finds semblances of hope in small things, including a passion project that turns into a successful small business and a budding romance with Mister’s mistress, blues singer Shug Avery (Jessica Winston).
Told through a resonant soundtrack brimming with jazz, gospel, ragtime and African musical influences, the soul-sparking story celebrates the magic that can happen when one crosses the line between surviving and living.
The production’s three-week stint will include an ASL Night Oct. 14.
$18-$32, 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday Sept. 30-Oct. 23, Woodlawn Theatre, 1920 Fredericksburg Road, (210) 267-8388, woodlawntheatre.org.
Get our top picks for the best events in San Antonio every Thursday morning. Sign up for our Events Newsletter.
Related Stories
Briscoe Museum showcases photos by Thomas D. Mangelsen in retrospective exhibition
Extreme filmmaker Bryan Smith will talk shop during Nat Geo Live: Capturing the Impossible
Kick off spooky season with a free screening of The Addams Family 2 at San Antonio’s Mission Marquee
Emmy-nominated satirist Randy Rainbow brings songs and spoofs to San Antonio Sunday
This article appears in Sep 21 – Oct 4, 2022.