KC Rep brings “The Color Purple” musical to life at the Spencer Theatre

  From now until Sept 21st, KC Rep is showing “The Color Purple,” a musical based on the novel of the same name. 

  The story is set in the early 1900s and follows a young Celie on her journey to self-love, despite what the world throws at her. The Color Purple is a “cultural touchstone and one of the most luminous novels of the past century,” according to Stuart Carden, Kansas City Repertory Theatre Artistic Director. 

  KC Rep’s take on the musical was breathtaking, with an attention catching plot and dedicated actors. There was nothing lost as far as the crucial moments of the story, and the theatre did an amazing job integrating comedic relief and culturally-relevant one liners.

  The cast was well-picked, with the roles of Harpo (played by Sheridan), and Sofia (played by Bree Patterson) standing out the most next to the lead. These two, whose characters are married in the story, embodied their roles 100 percent. They were full of energy and love for what they do. The audience felt it and it helped move the story along. The lead, Celie (played by Angela Wildflower), moved everyone with her voice, controlling the emotional dynamic of each scene. 

  On the production side, the set was made of wood, with stairs leading down the stage. On the side of each stair was a quote from the play. In the background, the wood panels separated to a multi-colored skyline with a large tree, to represent the part of the story staged in Africa. Most of the props were wood as well, representative of the time period.

  Compared to larger productions, KC Rep is on par. The only differences were the transitions from scene to scene, and the movement in the props (or the lack of props in certain scenes). While the music and lighting aided the transitions, some of the time changes weren’t easy to follow. On the props side, some scenes would’ve been more detailed if props were used, and at other moments, we watched performers move props on and off stage in the background. None of this took away from the immersion of the performance, but they were noticeable.

 In an effort to include the audience, there was a bulletin board for people to write messages to Celie about her strength available both before and after the show. The performance received a standing ovation and a teary-eyed response from the cast, and that’s what makes KC Rep’s The Color Purple is a must-see.

  To wrap up 2025, KC Rep will be performing “Dracula” and “A Christmas Carol.” The theater offers affordable seats, as well as $25 day-of rush tickets for UMKC students.

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