Color Purple at Citadel
After an incredible summer of weekly concerts, the fall theatre season starts with a bang. Never one to disappoint, the Citadel Theatre in Edmonton launches its season with The Color Purple.
First it was a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. Then Steven Spielberg adapted it into a summer blockbuster and an Oscar-winning film.
Oprah Winfrey, who starred in the film as Sophia, later adapted this African-American coming-of-age story involving domestic violence, incest, rape, poverty, racism and sexism into a musical. It won both Tony and Grammy Awards.
Rooted in unbelievable hardship and struggle, Celie is raped by her stepfather. Then her babies are taken from her before she’s forced into a slave-like marriage to a man who piles on more abuse. Despite the dark material, Celie survives the odds and discovers her long-dormant voice.
This empowering story brings together an all-star cast of national actors that include Tara Jackson (Celie), Karen Burthwright (Shug), Janelle Cooper (Sofia) as well as local favourites Jameela McNeil (Sister Act) and former St. Albert actor Jesse Lipscombe (The Candidate/The Party and John Ware Reimagined).
Director Kimberley Rampersad (Matilda The Musical) helms the Citadel project while musical director Floydd Ricketts stickhandles an award-winning soundtrack of high-energy gospel hits.
The Color Purple officially opens Thursday, Sept. 26 and runs until Sunday, Oct. 13. Tickets start at $30. Call the box office at 780-425-1820 or visit citadeltheatre.com.
Teatro ends with Vidalia
Teatro La Quindicina completes its summer season with Vidalia, a screwball comedy named after the sweet Vidalia onion grown in Georgia.
Spoiler alert: only tears of laughter are generated in this show.
First mounted in 2002, playwright Stewart Lemoine brought together a couple of spies at cross-purposes, a confused suit salesman and a good-natured meddler who sets the action careening wildly after telling a lie. Add to that a supposedly simple exchange of briefcases gone wrong, and the chase is on.
Leading the crack Teatro cast is Davina Stewart, who also starred in the original premiere, and the irrepressible Andrew MacDonald-Smith. Adding support is Helen Belay and Chris Pereira.
Vidalia runs Sept. 26 to Oct. 12 at The Varscona Theatre in Edmonton, 10329 83 Ave. Tickets start at $25. Call 780-433-3399 or visit teatroq.com.
