The Color Purple
at Dillard Center for the Arts

Reviewed on November 16, 2018

Reese Abrahamoff
Cooper City High School
Submitted for publication to Florida Theater On Stage

"If God ever listened to a poor colored woman, the world be a different place." Dillard Center for the Arts' production of "The Color Purple" transported us into the harsh reality of the early 1900's and delved into the theme of self discovery.

With a book by Marsha Norman and music and lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis, and Stephen Bray, "The Color Purple" opened on Broadway in 2005, earning eleven Tony Award nominations. Based off Alice Walker's 1982 novel of the same name, the show was seen as a revival in 2015 and received two Tony Awards including Best Revival of a Musical. The show follows the life of fourteen-year-old Celie, who is taken from her childhood home and forced to marry an arrogant farmer. After years of hardship and a little bit of guidance, Celie dismisses her expected role in society and finds the strength to create a better life for herself.

Leading lady Abigail Magnus did an outstanding job as Celie. Magnus excelled in showing the contrast between her individuality and submissive role as an African-American woman, which was commonly seen in this time period. Pouring her heart and soul into her singing, Magnus showcased a wide range of emotion filled with impressive belts, most evident in her solo, "I'm Here." Alongside Magnus was Nylah Cruz as Nettie, Celie's loving sister. As another vocal powerhouse, the dynamics between Cruz and Magnus were perfect to which their long-awaited reunion was both heartwarming and sincere.

The role of Sofia was played by Mikala Phillips. Her endless zest, non-stop energy, and flawless comedic timing livened the stage from the moment she entered. She was able to clearly show the transition from her bold attitude to one that was hopeless and beaten down. An additional standout was that of Kevaughn Reid (Harpo). With adept dancing technique and creative choices, Reid's consistent humor and youthful vitality worked very well towards his uproarious relationship with Phillips. Their lovable personalities complimented each other most notably in their duet, "Any Little Thing."

From group numbers to duets, the cast's vocal performance was superb. Despite a somewhat lack of diction among the ensemble, the company did an exceptional job acting as a single unit, which can be extremely difficult with high school shows. The technical aspects were executed very well. A standout element was that of music direction under Jarvis Neal. Every musical number flowed perfectly with chilling harmonies and excellent blending, especially with the Church Quartet who never faltered a note. The costume crew did a great job with accurately depicting the time period of the show and representing each character clearly.

Dillard Center for the Arts' moving and enchanting production of "The Color Purple" invites us to explore untaken paths, discover our true self, and live life to the fullest. Upon leaving the theater, the audience was left with one question, "Like the color purple, where do it come from?"

Nick Vela
JP Taravella High School
Submitted for publication to Florida Theater On Stage

When a poor, young African-American girl, in the rural South is bargained into marriage, a lifetime of heartache and hardships is bound to emerge. With an inspiring tale of faith, unexpected love, and inner beauty, Dillard Center for the Art's powerful performance of "The Color Purple" will take you on a spirited journey, communicating various essential messages, such as why "the good lord works in mysterious ways."

Based on Alice Walker's 1982 novel by the same name, "The Color Purple" was destined to be a hit. With a book written by Marsha Norman and music and lyrics composed by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis, and Stephen Bray, the original Broadway production opened at the The Broadway Theatre on December 1, 2005. Closing on February 24, 2008, the production was nominated for eleven Tony awards. The later revival of the show, running from December 10, 2015 to January 8, 2017 at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre, was also a huge success. The production was nominated for four Tony awards and won the 2016 Tony for Best Actress in a Musical and the 2016 Tony for Best Revival of a Musical.

Celie, the young girl which the story revolves around, portrayed by Abigail Magnus, did a phenomenal job leading the show. Magnus' stunning vocals, specifically shown in her show-stopping number "I'm Here," and outstanding emotional commitment to her character, made for a captivating performance. Mister, Celie's oppressive husband, portrayed by Mondrae Johnson, was fantastic at embodying the stern characterization his role demanded. Magnus and Johnson's dysfunctional relationship was extremely believable and both displayed remarkable character development as the story progressed.

Nettie (Nylah Cruz) and Shug Avery (Tatiana Colon) both supported the central storyline impressively. Cruz's melodious voice and graceful physicality made the essence of her character clear. Colon was marvelous in the sultry characterization of her role and had notable chemistry with all the other characters, particularly shown in the duet "What About Love."

Sofia (Mikala Phillips) and Harpo (Kevaughn Reid) also supported the plot immensely. Reid's great comedic timing paired with Phillips' endless confidence and hilarious line delivery, created some much needed comedic relief to the rather dramatic story, as shown in their humorous duet "Any Little Thing." The ensemble of the production showcased enormous amounts of energy. Their execution of the choreography was dynamic and their vocals were well-blended.

Except for some major inconsistencies in the sound, the overall technical features of the production were exquisite. The lighting transitions were incredibly smooth and added tremendously to each scene's environment. The costumes were time period appropriate, visual appealing, and distinguished individual characters. Not to mention, the magnificent choreography created by Kevaughn Reid, which effectively conveyed thoughts through movement and was pleasant to watch.

The pressing issues of racism, sexism, and controversial love are all topics that need to be discussed in this day and age. Dillard Center for the Art's moving production of "The Color Purple" attacked these issues with great care and efficiency, allowing for a strikingly meaningful performance.

Julia Musso
NSU University School
Submitted for publication to Florida Theater On Stage

Throw up your hands up in a hearty "Hallelujah!", because Dillard Center for the Arts's heart-wrenching presentation of "The Color Purple" is a "glory to behold"!

Based off of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker, "The Color Purple" is a tale of two sisters, Celie and Nettie, and their metamorphosis into women of tenacity and self-sufficiency in the South during the early 20th century. Along this treacherous journey, the duo learns to keep their eyes and hearts open to "the color purple" – the experiences and people in life we have to be thankful for that we often overlook.

Abigail Magnus's (Celie) masterful portrayal of her role included the perfect blend of strength and vulnerability, shedding light on her expert understanding of Celie herself and her unique relationships with other characters on stage, specifically Nylah Cruz (Nettie) and Tatiana Colon (Shug Avery). Magnus's jaw-dropping vocals were showcased in numerous musical numbers throughout the production, most notably "I'm Here", the story's stunning eleven-o'clock filled to the brim with challenging riffs and belts. Delicate, dream-filled, and driven, Cruz embodied the essence of young Nettie wonderfully, and successfully developed her character's complex arch as the show evolved.

Adding a touch of humor to the production's heavy plot line was Kevaughn Reid (Harpo). Reid's comedic timing was impeccable, and his energy rarely if ever plateaued, especially in moments of extreme physical demand. Right by his side was powerhouse Mikala Phillips (Sofia), whose booming belt and show-stopping sass left the audience begging for more every time she opened her mouth. Memorable performances also included Jermaine Jenkins (Grady) and Shanice Dawkins (Squeak). Both performers made the most of their limited stage time with bold character choices and facial expressions, leaving a positive and lasting imprint on the story.

From their eccentric mannerisms to their heavenly harmonic blend, the Church Gossip Quartet's presence added a whole new level of vivacious energy and grace to the story. Each member of the ensemble possessed unique traits that made them stand out as individuals, but when singing together in seamless syncrasy, the bunch was a force to be reckoned with, especially in group songs like "The Color Purple (Reprise)" where their undeniable unity brought the final moments of the show together beautifully.

The technical aspects of the production were beautifully executed overall, with the exception of a few microphone mishaps sprinkled throughout. Choreography (Kevaughn Reid), although simplistic at times, allowed for the show's surging spirit to be revealed through movement in an effective manner. Both props (Dilts, Rodriguez, and Tiedje) and costumes (Herrera, Gomez, and Pena-Torres) were time appropriate and fit the mood of the piece perfectly, while also adding another dimension to the stage's awe-inspiring aesthetic.

Like a blade of corn and a honeybee, Dillard Center for the Arts's exquisite execution of "The Color Purple" was apart of the audience long after the curtain fell!

Nicole Wroth
Calvary Christian Academy
Submitted for publication to Florida Theater On Stage

Transcending barriers, Dillard Center for the Arts' production of "The Color Purple" encompassed the vitality of relationships through the actor's portrayal of these demanding characters.

This extraordinary story originated from Marsha Norman's novel which follows Celie through her life in Mississippi in the early 1900s. With producers including Oprah Winfrey, Celie's story communicates the importance of female relationships and power of voice. Deputing on Broadway in 2005, this musical captivated America, earning eleven Tony Award nominations while the 2015 revival brought home two Tony Awards including Best Revival of a Musical.

Abigail Magnus as Celie fully embodied her character and stunned the audience with her mature vocal range as a high school sophomore. Despite the demanding requirements of role, Magnus portrays the contrast between her suppressing relationships with the men in her life compared to the liberation she experiences as she connects with female characters such as Shug (Tatiana Colon) and Sofia (Mikala Phillips).

Empowering Celie through their tenacious characters, Mikala Phillips as Sofia and Nylah Cruz as Nettie epitomize the different aspects of sisterhood. Phillips demonstrates her robust character through her physicality and thundering execution of "Hell No!". Characterizing the tenderness of sisterhood, Cruz displayed a deep connection with Celie through her body language and earnest rendition of "Somebody Gonna Love You".

Despite issues with microphones, the cast remained unfazed and continued their action on stage. The church gossips featured in the ensemble harmonized beautifully, showcasing their control and expertise over the score. "Push Da Button" brought a burst of electricity to act one, exciting the crowd on stage and engaging the audience. With grace and splendor, "African Homeland" exquisitely displayed the interconnection between Celie and Nettie's African heritage through the socialization between African and American culture in the characters, props, and choreography.

Costumes showed the progression of maturity in Nettie's differing costumes as well as the grandeur of Shug Avery's character through her numerous dazzling costumes. Emily Nardoni used her expertise in social media to create a relatable platform, reaching students with marketing and publicity. The show's instagram page highlighted the journey of the production, generating excitement for opening night. The use of basic wooden chairs to signify setting and develop choreography transmitted the original and creative ideas of the props crew.

With grace, prowess, and skill, this production left the audience saying it was "Too Beautiful for Words".

Zoe Larson
Calvary Christian Academy
Submitted for publication to Florida Theater On Stage

Purple is a highly symbolic color in literary works, combining the ferocity of red with the stability of blue. It frequently represents ambition, dignity, devotion, and independence. Each of these elements operate in perfect harmony throughout Dillard Center for the Arts' musical "The Color Purple," a production that wrestles with devotion and independence whilst maintaining ambition and dignity.

Documenting the tumultuous life of a young woman named Celie, "The Color Purple" first opened on Broadway in 2005. Based on the 1982 novel by Alice Walker and the 1985 film, "The Color Purple" received eleven Tony nominations. It was soon revived with new power and passion, and the 2015 production received two Tony awards, including Best Revival of a Musical. It is rare for a high school to take on such a challenging production, but Dillard Center for the Arts executed "The Color Purple" with mastery, beauty, and truth.

Abigail Magnus achieved a magnificent performance with the role of Celie, a complex and inspiring role. With stunning vocals and raw, pure emotion, Magnus encompassed the bitter challenges Celie faced throughout her life. As a teengager playing such a multifaceted role, Magnus brought true innocence and care to a character with little hope left. Opposite Celie was her sister Nettie, played by Nylah Cruz. Cruz was loving, passionate, and exciting, revealing the magnificence of Nettie in "African Homeland."

Kevaughn Reid, as Harpo, provided necessary and entertaining comedic relief in the midst of a heavy plot. His lines were delivered with enthusiasm, and he left the crowd rolling with laughter following "Any Little Thing." Additionally, he was eye catching and mesmerizing during large dance numbers, specifically "Push Da Button." His energy was matched by Mikala Phillips as Sofia, who was the source of many a laugh from the audience. She was strong yet comedic, and brought a new life to the stage with each entrance.

The technical elements of "The Color Purple" only made the hard work of the Dillard students more impressive. Marketing and publicity by Emily Nordoni specifically stood out, with many tactics used to advertise the production. Not only was social media frequently used, but ads were also put out on the radio to advertise to a larger audience. Additionally, choreography by Kevaughn Reid added a new level of professionalism to the production. Each move was choreographed with intention and creativity, and was stunning across the stage. While there were occasional microphone issues and some late cues, actors demonstrated perseverance.

Dillard Center for the Arts' production of "The Color Purple" was full of pain and excitement, love and hurt, beauty and shame. All of the elements combined for a heartwarming and inspiring performance.