This month, Marietta Theatre in the Square is bringing a powerful and beloved story to the stage: the award-winning Broadway musical, The Color Purple. Directed by Emil Thomas, this production promises to offer a unique and moving experience for theatergoers. In a recent interview, Thomas shared his vision for the show and the exciting elements audiences can expect.
Why The Color Purple?
The decision to bring The Color Purple to Marietta Theatre in the Square was inspired by the renewed excitement around the story, particularly after last year’s film adaptation. “Entertainment is always a revolving cycle; stories turn into books, books into plays and musicals, musicals into movies, and so on,” says Thomas. “This presented a great opportunity to bring the award-winning Broadway musical to the Emil Theatre and put our own twist on it.” Additionally, he saw this production as a way to provide more opportunities for talented female performers. “Over the last few years, we have had more talented females audition for us than roles we had to offer,” he explains. “This show allows us to give well-deserved opportunities to many talented women.”
Celie’s Journey: A Tale of Transformation
At its heart, The Color Purple is a story of self-discovery, perseverance, faith, family, and love. Thomas describes Celie’s journey as “a journey of familiarity.” He explains, “When it’s your time to move, and you believe it’s your time, you move. When we meet Celie, she has no control over her life, world, or time. By the end, she is in full control. How she gets there is the journey every patron gets to take with her.”
Musical Direction and Soundtrack
The production features professional full orchestra recording tracks, with a blend of gospel, jazz, and musical theater styles. “Our performers lean vocally into R&B to make the music resonate best for our production,” Thomas notes. This unique mix will create a powerful and engaging soundtrack that draws audiences into Celie’s world.
Themes That Resonate Today
Among the many themes in The Color Purple, one that Thomas finds particularly timeless is the theme of dreams. “Dreams are envisioned, spoken upon, and lived,” he shares. “In moments when Celie can’t dream for herself, the people around her dream for her. It’s a beautiful theme to realize that we are elements of our own dreams and others’ dreams.”
Special Surprises to Look Forward To
One of the new elements Thomas is most excited about is the recently installed 21-foot LED wall, which allows for a dynamic blend of film and theater. “This wall will evolve how we design sets for the future,” Thomas explains. “We can create backgrounds that transport the audience right into the world of the play, from the South of Georgia to Africa and back.”
A Call to Self-Love and Resilience
What does Thomas hope audiences will take away from this production? A renewed sense of empowerment and self-love. “I hope that audiences leave feeling called to do more for themselves,” he says. “To treat themselves, smile in the mirror, and show love to themselves. We all go through a lot, but what’s important is that we are all still here!”
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Join us at Marietta Theatre in the Square this month to experience The Color Purple, directed by Emil Thomas. This production is set to be an unforgettable journey of dreams, transformation, and self-discovery. Meet me on the Square for a show that will leave you moved and inspired!
