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The Color Purple (2005 Original Broadway Cast)
On paper, this adaptation of Alice Walker's best-selling novel has all the markings of a hit. It makes Oprah Winfrey's debut as a theater producer, the libretto is by Marsha Norman (Night Mother), and the lyrics and music are by a trio of seasoned pop pros: Allee Willis (the eccentric woman behind "Neutron Dance" and the theme from Friends), Stephen Bray (who worked on such Madonna hits as "True Blue" and "Express Yourself"), and Brenda Russell (the smooth soul-jazz songstress behind "Piano in the Dark"). That team has put together a series of fairly catchy songs that may lack depth but adeptly handle various idioms like gospel ("Mysterious Ways"), R&B ("Push Da Button"), and African rhythms ("African Homeland"). Though the inspirational vibe can get a bit much, softening the edges and preventing genuine artistic complexity, The Color Purple is a great showcase for its cast. As Celie, LaChanze delivers one of her usual sensitive performances, but watch also for Elisabeth Withers-Mendes's Shug--who sings a passionate paean to Celie ("Too Beautiful for Words")--and Renée Elise Goldsberry's Nettie (duetting with LaChange on "African Homeland"). The chance to hear these women strut their stuff almost makes up for the show's weaknesses. --Elisabeth Vincentelli
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Tracks| 1 | Overture | | 2 | Huckleberry Pie/Mysterious Ways | | 3 | Somebody Gonna Love You | | 4 | Our Prayer | | 5 | That Fine Mister | | 6 | Big Dog | | 7 | Lily Of The Field | | 8 | Dear God | | 9 | A Tree Named Sofia | | 10 | Hell No! | | 11 | Brown Betty | | 12 | Shug Avery Comin' To Town | | 13 | All We've Got To Say | | 14 | Dear God | | 15 | Too Beautiful For Words | | 16 | Push Da Button | | 17 | Uh Oh! | | 18 | What About Love? | | 19 | Act I Finale | | 20 | African Homeland | | 21 | The Color Purple | | 22 | Church Ladies' Easter | | 23 | I Curse You Mister | | 24 | Celie's Curse | | 25 | Miss Celie's Pants | | 26 | Any Little Thing | | 27 | What About Love (Reprise) | | 28 | I'm Here | | 29 | The Color Purple (Reprise) |
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