Goodman Theatre's production of "Purlie" with the Ensemble. Photo by Michael Brosilow Goodman Theatre's production of "Purlie" runs through October 30, 2005. review by Ed Vincent The star is Purlie Victorious Judson, and is played by the talented Jacques C. Smith.  Purlie is a huckster with a bill of goods that he believes will save his pride and some of the property he feels is owed to him for the mistreatment in his youth.  This is 1960's and Purlie is set to do battle with Uncle Toms and the Confederate South.  The play features gospel music and some calorie burning dance steps.  The dancers perform grand rhythmic choreography illustrating many emotions.  There are some very well executed numbers of mixed dancers and some with only men-highly stylized and dramatic. There was plenty of applause on press night and the show ran without a fault.  Ol’ Cap’n Cotchipee couldn't have been more hateful and selfish if he tried, but his son cut from the same cloth has fashioned a more hopeful garment to wear on a new day.  I found too much truth in the play to find it humorous, except for a moment here and there.  Purlie tries to evangelize that his people need more courage and less cornbread, while trying to steal money from the evil landowner.  Ol’ Cap’n Cotchipee does seem to be running a Pullman styled encampment colored with a heap of southern racism. "Somehow Purlie always upsets the white folk", notes his aunt.  Purlie does his best to make things right and get himself some justice and some pride for the people he is addressing.  In the end others help reach his ends. I come off the play luke warm, I don't like hucksters in any format, the sets and the dancing are excellent, and the performers are first class - but there is the plot.   Pictured in a recent rehearsal for the Goodman Theatre's production of "Purlie" is the Ensemble. Photo by Michael Brosilow GOODMAN THEATRE BEGINS 2005-2006 SEASON IN THE ALBERT WITH MAJOR REVIVAL OF HIT BROADWAY MUSICAL PURLIE “The purpose of Purlie is to point a mocking finger at racial segregation and laugh it out of existence.”  - Ossie Davis The Goodman Theatre kicks off its 2005-2006 season in the Albert Theatre with a rollicking, gospel-infused revival of the hit Broadway musical Purlie, with music by Gary Geld, lyrics by Peter Udell and book by Ossie Davis, Philip Rose and Peter Udell. Based on the play Purlie Victorious by Ossie Davis and directed by the acclaimed Sheldon Epps, Purlie begins performances September 17 and runs through October 23, 2005. Production Sponsor for Purlie is the Edith-Marie Appleton Foundation. The Major Corporate Sponsor for Purlie is Katten Muchin Rosenman, LLP.  Additional support is provided by the Goodman Producer's Circle.  Purlie is produced in association with Pasadena Playhouse.  "I'm very excited to bring this glorious musical to Chicago," said Director Sheldon Epps.  "After 35 years, this revival of Purlie will truly resonate with Chicago audiences through its timeless message, cultural relevance and bold artistic distinction." Katten Muchin Rosenman's National Managing Partner and Goodman Trustee Vince Sergi said, "We are happy to support the Goodman and help bring this first-class production to life." Purlie centers around Purlie Victorious, who has pursued many careers in his short life, and now received the call to be a preacher.  All he needs is a church and his destiny will be fulfilled.  But to achieve that dream, he has to con Ol’ Cap’n Cotchipee, a Georgia plantation owner, out of a good bit of cash.  As Purlie’s devious plan unfurls, this delightful, irreverent musical shakes the rafters with laughter, love, and downright fun. Ossie Davis (1917-2005) began his career in 1939 with the Rose McClendon Players in Harlem. In 1946, he made his Broadway debut in Jeb, followed by Jamaica, The Zulu and the Zayda, and I'm Not Rappaport (which he later reprised on film with Walter Matthau), among many others. In 1961, he wrote and starred in the critically acclaimed Purlie Victorious. His many film credits include No Way Out (1950, with Sidney Poitier), The Cardinal, The Hill, The Scalphunters, Let's Do It Again, Do the Right Thing, Jungle Fever, Grumpy Old Men, and Get on the Bus. He also directed four films. He made his television debut in the 1955 Emperor Jones, in the title role. Emmy Award nominations followed for his work in Teacher, Teacher, King and Miss Evers' Boys. In 2001, he received a Daytime Emmy for the children's special Finding Buck McHenry. He is also the author of three children's books. Mr. Davis is the recipient of the NAACP Image Award, the National Medal of Arts, and the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award, and, with Ruby Dee, the Kennedy Center Honors (2004). In 1998, he and Ms. Dee marked their 50th wedding anniversary with the publication of their joint autobiography, With Ossie and Ruby: In This Life Together. Mr. Davis was inducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame in 1994. Gary Geld began his career as a concert pianist, studied composition at Juilliard, and holds a degree in business administration from NYU. As a successful pop songwriter and record producer, he was awarded gold records for "Sealed With a Kiss" (No. 1 three times in three separate years), "Hurting Each Other" (written for The Carpenters), and "Save Your Heart for Me." Purlie marked his Broadway debut in 1970, followed by Shenandoah, which ran on Broadway for 1,050 performances. Both shows received multiple Tony nominations. He also co-produced the original cast albums for each, for which he received Grammy nominations. “Freedom” from Shenandoah was performed at the rededication of the Statue of Liberty. Selections from Purlie have been performed by the New York Philharmonic. Both Purlie and Shenandoah are among the all-time longest-running Broadway musicals. Philip Rose began his career by producing Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun, starring Sidney Poitier, which won the Tony Award for Best Play of the Year. He produced the original play Purlie Victorious with Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee, and was also director/producer of the award-winning musicals Purlie and Shenandoah. In August 2003, he received the Sidney Poitier Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Black Theater Festival in Winston-Salem. Mr. Rose has written a memoir entitled You Can't Do That on Broadway, which is in its third year of publication by Limelight Editions. Peter Udell is co-author of the Broadway musicals Purlie (two Tony nominations), Shenandoah (Tony Award for best book), Angel, Comin' Uptown and The Amen Corner. A protégé of Frank Loesser, he has worked successfully in the music business since 1960, producing records and writing lyrics for such pop hits as "Sealed With A Kiss," "Save Your Heart for Me," "Hurting Each Other" and "Warmed Over Kisses/Left Over Love." Mr. Udell has been nominated for multiple Grammy Awards and had the honor of having his song “Freedom” from Shenandoah performed before three U.S. Presidents at the rededication of the Statue of Liberty. Sheldon Epps conceived and directed the Duke Ellington musical Play On!, which received three Tony Award nominations and was produced both at Seattle Repertory Theatre and the Goodman Theatre, where it received four Jefferson Awards including Best Musical. The Pasadena Playhouse production was taped by PBS for broadcast as part of the Great Performances series. He also conceived and directed the highly acclaimed musical revue Blues in the Night. The Broadway production was nominated for a Tony Award as Best Musical of the Year, and the London production, which he also directed, was nominated for two Laurence Olivier Awards and ran for over a year in the West End before being broadcast in Europe by Thames Television. Mr. Epps was a co-founder and the Associate Artistic Director of the off-Broadway theater The Production Company. Mr. Epps was pleased to join the Pasadena Playhouse as Artistic Director in 1997. His directing credits at this theatre include As Bees In Honey Drown, Blue, Play On!, Les Liaisons Dangereuses, The Importance of Being Earnest, The Old Settler, The Real Thing, On Borrowed Time, Mr. Rickey Calls a Meeting and Blues in the Night, and he was production consultant for the musical Sisterella. At Arena Stage, he directed the world premiere of Blue, which was also produced off-Broadway at the Roundabout Theatre and enjoyed a national tour co-produced by the Pasadena Playhouse. Earlier this year, Epps directed Purlie for the Encores!® concert series in New York. Purlie boasts a talented cast of 19, which include distinguished stage and screen actors Paulette Ivory, Jacques C. Smith; veteran Chicago actress E. Faye Butler; as well as Billy Gill, Lyle Kanouse and Harrison White. Purlie ensemble members include Sean Blake, Meloney Collins, Ronald Duncan, Derric Harris, Edwin Henry, Danielle Hobbs, Elaine McLaurin, Sara Beth Lane, Rocklin Thompson, Timothy Ware and Byron Glenn Willis.  There are two roles yet to be cast. The design team for the Goodman Theatre’s production of Purlie includes James Leonard Joy (Sets); Paul Tazwell (Costumes); Allen Lee Hughes (Lighting); and Frederick Boot (Sound Designer).   The Music Director is Rhan Coleman, and the Choreographer is Ken Roberson. American Airlines is the Official Airline of the Goodman Theatre.  Kraft Foods is the Principal Sponsor of the free Student Subscription Series.  The Renaissance Hotel is the Exclusive Hotel of the Goodman Theatre.  The Goodman Theatre’s major revival of Purlie will appear in the Goodman’s Albert Theatre September 17 through October 23, 2005.  Tickets for Purlie, priced from $20 to $75, may be purchased online at www.goodmantheatre.org, at the Goodman Theatre Box Office, 170 N. Dearborn Street, or charged by phoning (312) 443-3800. See calendar below for specific dates, times and prices.  Ask about Tix at Six for half-priced tickets on the day of performance.  Groups of 15 or more, call (312) 443-3820.  For further ticket information, call (312) 443-3800. GOODMAN THEATRE EXTENDS “PURLIE” THROUGH OCTOBER 30                                                                Due to extraordinary ticket demand during previews, the Goodman Theatre will extend its current revival production of the Broadway musical Purlie for an additional week of performances in the Goodman’s Albert Theatre, now through October 30, 2005. Purlie, with music by Gary Geld, lyrics by Peter Udell and book by Ossie Davis, Philip Rose and Peter Udell, is directed by the acclaimed Sheldon Epps. Purlie is produced in association with Pasadena Playhouse.  Production Sponsor for Purlie is the Edith-Marie Appleton Foundation. The Major Corporate Sponsor for Purlie is Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP.  Additional support is provided by the Goodman Producer's Circle. Purlie centers around Purlie Victorious, who has pursued many careers in his short life, and has now received the call to be a preacher.  All he needs is a church and his destiny will be fulfilled.  But to achieve that dream, he has to con Ol’ Cap’n Cotchipee, a Georgia plantation owner, out of a good bit of cash.  As Purlie’s devious plan unfurls, this delightful, irreverent musical shakes the rafters with laughter, love, and downright fun. The Goodman Theatre’s major revival of Purlie will now appear in the Goodman’s Albert Theatre through October 30, 2005.  Tickets for Purlie, priced from $20 to $75, may be purchased online at www.goodmantheatre.org, at the Goodman Theatre Box Office, 170 N. Dearborn Street, or charged by phoning (312) 443-3800. See calendar below for specific dates, times and prices.  Ask about Tix at Six for half-priced tickets on the day of performance.  Groups of 15 or more, call (312) 443-3820.  For further ticket information, call (312) 443-3800. Goodman patrons may now park for $13.00* at the new Government Center Self Park, adjacent to the Goodman at the southeast corner of Clark and Lake Streets.  Discounted parking is available after 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, all day Saturday and Sunday, and after 12 noon for 2:00 p.m. matinees.  Goodman patrons may obtain a discount parking coupon at the Goodman Gift Store.  For further ticket information, call (312) 443-3800.  *Rate is subject to change if there is an increase of City of Chicago parking taxes.

Directions from CTA and Parking Information

If you are coming from Oak Park and taking the CTA Green line,
round trip for two persons is only $6.00 and gets you within a block
walk to the Goodman Theatre. Exit the train at Clark and Lake Street
and walk east.