THE PLAY: This adapatation of Alice Walker’s book (and Spielberg’s film) tells the story of a poor black woman who struggles to find truth and love in her desperate life. It’s almost an opera with much of the show sung in a variety of styles from gospel to swing.

 

THE PRODUCTION: This musical starts with a rousing show-stopper and every song that follows peaks another high point. The voices are all-around astounding and the performaces radiant. The cast shines with so much talent I don’t have room to rave about them all. Director Chase Kniffen has guided this massive cast with superb staging and genuine emotion, Leslie Owens-Harrington’s choreography is inventive and appropriate, Ben Miller’s band is solid and the sets/lights/costumes all work wonderfully. I have NEVER seen such an enthuiastic audience response. People (myself included) will be remembering and raving about this show for many years.

 

THE POINT: This glorious, rousing, moving musical is theatre at its best. DO NOT MISS IT!

 

(5 / 5)

 

Virginia Rep at the November Theatre thru 8/3.