The Color Purple at Theater Latté Da - A Discussion with Artistic Director Justin Lucero

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

The Color Purple will be staged by Theater Latté Da from March 20 to May 5, at the Ritz Theater. There are so many reasons to be excited about this production. Artistic Director Justin Lucero tells us, with a compelling list, why Theater Latté Da is thrilled to bring the musical to our community. “One of my most lasting literary memories is of reading Alice Walker's masterpiece novel in high school,” notes Lucero, “and one of my most lasting movie memories is of Steven Spielberg's masterpiece film starring Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey. Now I am proud that we get to present a masterpiece musical of this inspiring story on our stage for fellow fans and new generations alike. And if someone feels like having watched the starry, spectacular new movie musical was enough, we promise you that watching this version performed live and up-close will be an eye-opening, heart-rending, rousing experience." Don’t wait on this one - get your tickets here.

Here are some of the many reasons to catch this production:

1. It’s a co-production! In an exciting new venture, Theater Latté Da is partnering with Geva Theatre Center in Rochester, New York to produce this new production. A co-production is a collaborative producing model between multiple theater companies to share in the costs and planning of a show that is ultimately performed in both markets. In our case, we are originating the production for a seven-week run, and then the cast, sets, and costumes transfer to Geva for another month.

2. It makes us think about some of our favorite local Black-owned eateries! Whenever we have an additional chance at championing some of our favorite local businesses, we will! We’re excited to highlight such coffee faves as Flava Coffee & Cafe in Saint Paul and The Get Down Coffee Co. in our backyard of North Minneapolis. We also love to recommend our artists and ticket buyers to dine at famed Twin Cities favorite, Pimento, as well as our nearby treasure, STEPCHLD.

3. The style! If you know the musical, you know that fashion is a plot point. And so of course it makes us think of such local fashion icons as Rammy Mohamed of Ramadhan Designs and, of course, Black Fashion Week MN. And be sure to check out Costume Designer Jarrod Barnes’ fabulous artistry on stage in our production.

4. Our local legend musical director! Composer, pianist, arranger and producer Sanford Moore is founder and director of the award-winning vocal jazz ensemble Moore by Four. Beyond his several collaborations with Theater Latté Da and other local theater companies, particularly Penumbra, Moore has shared the stage with such notable jazz artists as Bobby McFerrin, Harry Connick, Jr., the late Joe Williams, Sarah Vaughn, Dizzy Gillespie and Carmen McRae. He is also the Minister of Music for Kingdom Life Church in North Minneapolis.

5. Introducing our community to a guest director’s vision and voice! We are thrilled to invite Daniel J. Bryant as guest director and leader of the creative process. His attention to story and character, and his vibrant and vivacious leadership style will absolutely be detectable on stage.

6. An exciting guest choreographer! Heather Beal is an accomplished dancer and choreographer who teaches Dunham Technique at Washington University in St. Louis and at The City Studio. This approach is “a vibrant African diasporic dance technique” that “through its humanistic philosophies and its focus on deep connection with the self and with others…is a balm for the current worldwide state of divisiveness and egocentrism.”

7. Alice Walker’s masterpiece! Most thrillingly, the source material for the stage musical has made an impact on so many of us. The gifted Walker is a novelist, short story writer, poet, and social activist who, in 1982 became the first African American woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. Some of my favorite pearls of wisdom come from her and/or her masterwork, including one that has been a recent go-to: “I have fallen in love with the imagination. And if you fall in love with the imagination, you understand that it is a free spirit. It will go anywhere, and it can do anything.”

8. The music! Many of us may know the influential novel, or the magnificent 1985 epic Steven Spielberg film, and may have been intrigued to learn it was adapted into an award-winning Broadway musical. Just this past holiday season, a film adaptation of the musical made a splash. But did you know: 13 songs from the musical were not included in the film? So, you just need to come see the live version at The Ritz to hear all the showstopping songs in a variety of styles ranging from gospel, jazz, ragtime, African music, and blues.