Purlie

Book by Ossie Davis, Phillip Rose and Peter Udell.  Based on the play Purlie Victorious by Ossie Davis.  Music by Gary Geld.  Lyrics by Peter Udell.

 

Directed by Aya Wallace, Music Direction by Ronzel Bell, Choreography by Aya Wallace and Chanda Branch, Costume Design by Brenda Hayes and Set Design by Deb Royals.  

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Location: 

Pure Life Theatre Company

3801 Hillsborough St. Suite 113 Raleigh, NC 27606

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Dates and Times:  Due to COVID 19, Purlie performance dates have changed.  Purlie will open on Friday, February 5, 2021 and run through Sunday, February 28, 2021  Specifics:  February 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27 at 7:30pm.  February 7, 14, 21 and 28 at 3pm.  Tickets on sale now.    

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Please Note:  The production team under the leadership of Director Aya Wallace is offering a 10 week Purlie Master Class.  The class begins October 8 and meets weekly on Thursday evenings until December 10, 2020.  We encourage everyone to participate in this class to better prepare for the actual show experience.  This class will be limited so sign up now! Register now for the 10 week series by going to the  Purlie Master Class tab located here on our website.

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Look out world, Purlie is coming back home! Based on the 1961 comedy, Purlie Victorious by the great actor Ossie Davis, the 1970 musical Purlie is set in Georgia during the era of Jim Crow laws and deep-rooted prejudice, none of that is going to set back Preacher Purlie and his new-found protege, young Lutiebelle.  Purlie wants his people's rights and his own church in which to preach freely, and he sets out to get it all. Through the course of his antics, love blooms and faith swoons. Meanwhile, the Southern white plantation owner, holds his sharecroppers in virtual slavery.  But the plantation owner’s son Charlie would rather live in an ideal world of peace and brotherhood. Innocent, but ineffective at first, Charlie jumps on Purlie's hallelujah bandwagon and soon--with a little help from Divine Providence--they parade laughing, clapping, and singing into the light.  In the early days of the civil rights movement Purlie comes home as a preacher who shakes things up and brings freedom to his people.

 

“The book is so strong, the performance so magnificent, that this musical should have you calling out “Hallelujah!” ~ The New York Times

 

“A robust, tuneful and thoroughly enjoyable musical comedy, with dandy songs.”

                                                                                    ~ New York Daily