Solid acting propels 'The Color Purple'

"THE COLOR PURPLE," national tour, through Nov. 21, Capitol Theatre (801-355-2787); running time: 3 hours (one intermission)

It doesn't take long watching "The Color Purple," that you find yourself asking, "'Geez! Can't this girl get a break? Why isn't anybody helping her?!"

Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel about a family's dark journey to happier times was turned into a movie in 1985 starring Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey and Danny Glover. In 2005 a musical version opened on Broadway.

Though the stage adaptation isn't as gritty as you might remember from the movie, the subject matter is not easy, with frequent instances of incest, rape, physical and mental abuse.

As a whole, the score, by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray, doesn't necessarily leave a memorable mark, but the gorgeous melodies really jump out: "Too Beautiful for Words," "What About Love?" "Any Little Thing" and "The Color Purple" are a few standouts.

But what the musical adaptation has going for it are colorful characterizations, magnificent singing, and some wonderfully staged and choreographed group numbers. And the current national tour has some real standouts.

As the show starts up with "Mysterious Ways" Kadejah One, belts out a sound that fills Capitol Theatre to the rafters, setting the tone for the nice mix of jazz, gospel and blues in the show.

The singing is solid across the board, but it's the acting that propels the piece.

In the mega-lead role of Celie, Dayna Jarae Dantzler is impressive, growing from a gawkish 14-year-old girl into a mature 54-year-old woman.

Pam Trotter is a powerhouse Sofia, Lee Edward Colston II's Mister had the audience wondering whether to "boo" or clap at the end, and Taprena Augustine brings the perfect amount of sass to Shug Avery.

The trio of gossipy ladies was an audience favorite, as was the on-again/off-again relationship of Sofia and Harpo.

"African Homeland" is beautiful to watch, but it takes the story of Celie and her struggles on a 20-minute detour. As a side note, the sheer fabric in the African costumes leave little to the imagination for those seated close to the stage.

"The Color Purple" is a tough look at a tough time in American history. But this telling of the saga, is filled with hopeful glance toward a brighter future.

Sensitivity rating: Physical abuse, sexual situations.

e-mail: ehansen@desnews.com