The Color Purple
Raise your voice. Make a joyful noise.
“A miracle on Broadway; a glory to behold!” —The New York Times
From Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning bestseller comes a powerful, Tony Award-winning musical with a fresh, joyous score of jazz, ragtime, gospel and blues. This stirring family chronicle follows the inspirational Celie from the early to mid-20th century in the American south, as she journeys from childhood to womanhood, through joy and despair, anguish and hope to discover the true power of love and life. With a soul-rousing, Grammy-winning score, The Color Purple is an unforgettable and intensely moving American classic.
Tony Award, Best Revival of a Musical, 2016; Grammy Award, Best Musical Theater Album, 2017
Who's Who:
View the cast and creative team bios.
Playbill:
Explore the Playbill
Run Time:
Approximately 2 hours and 25 minutes, including one intermission.
Note:
Recommended for ages 14 and up. Contains strong language and adult themes. Children under 6 are not permitted at any production at The Armory.
Resource Guide:
Download resource guide (PDF)
The Color Purple
- Previews Sep. 15–20 | Opening night Sep. 21
- Based upon the novel by Alice Walker
- Book by Marsha Norman
- Music and Lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray
- Directed by Timothy Douglas
- Music Direction by Darius Smith
Reviews of "The Color Purple"
"You're rattled joyously to your marrow — and elevated to an uncharted level of hope. This is much more than a showstopping number. It's a moment of shared grace." - The Oregonian
Beyond the Production: "The Color Purple"
Explore additional reading materials and get a behind-the-scenes look at the design elements of The Color Purple.
From Page to Stage: "The Color Purple"
Explore Alice Walker's The Color Purple and the transformation from page to stage.
"The Color Purple" in Rehearsal
Check out photos of The Color Purple cast rehearsing the first number of Act II, "African Homeland."
A Snapshot Look at Alice Walker's "The Color Purple"
From a bestselling novel to the Tony Award-winning musical adaptation, explore Alice Walker's The Color Purple.
"The Color Purple" Cast and Creative Team
Meet the incredible cast and creative team behind The Color Purple.
Current & Upcoming
Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt. 2B
A bold, feminist take on the iconic crime-fighting duo! This wonderfully farcical comedy packs non-stop laughs and crime-fighting hijinks galore.
Photography Exhibit: Pas de trois by Jingzi Zhao
The photography series Pas de trois will feature Jingzi Zhao's ongoing collaboration with Xuan Cheng and Brian Simcoe, two principals from Oregon Ballet Theater. These images are a celebration of motivation, artistry, and creative alchemy created over the last three years.
Art Exhibit: Augury House presents Breaking Ground Lunar New Year Celebration
BREAKING GROUND is an exhibition by Carissa Te-Hsuan Chu to celebrate the 2023 Lunar New Year and serve as a conceptual opening ceremony of the Lone Fir Cemetery Block 14 Cultural Heritage and Healing Garden. The event will feature pre-show writing prompts and audience interactions in the main lobby.
Pre-show Music featuring Jermaine
As part of The People's Party: BIPOC Affinity Night for Ms. Holmes & Ms.Watson - Apt. 2B join us before the show for a performance by Portland-based multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Jermaine. Plus, there will be a Sherlock-worthy mystery game for guests to solve as part of Affinity Night programming.
The People's Party: BIPOC Affinity Night for Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt. 2B
We invite all who identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color), and their guests, to attend a performance of Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt. 2B.
Young Americans
With Bowie blaring from a mixtape, two road trips veer back and forth in time, as an upbeat father and his jaded daughter take a journey that mirrors the father’s life-changing road trip 20 years earlier.
Portland Center Stage is committed to identifying & interrupting instances of racism & all forms of oppression, through the principles of inclusion, diversity, equity, & accessibility (IDEA).
Show Sponsors
2018-2019 Superstars
2018-2019 Supporting Sponsors
