NC Black Rep to present ‘Purlie Victorious,’ opening Oct. 3
Submitted article
Ossie Davis’ rollicking Broadway hit, subtitled “A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch,” tells the story of Reverend Purlie Victorious Judson, a dynamic traveling preacher returning to rural Georgia to save his small hometown church.
The comedic play tells the story of his scheme to reclaim his inheritance and win back his church from a plantation owner. Purlie’s dream is to buy back Big Bethel, the community’s church, so that he can preach freedom to the cotton pickers.
“Purlie Victorious” made its original debut on Broadway in 1961 and starred Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Alan Alda, Godfrey Cambridge, Sorrell Booke and Beah Richards. The play mirrors playwright Ossie Davis’ personal journey, growing up in racially segregated Georgia, to challenge oppressive white authority in the South and beyond. Using his art to both entertain and educate, some of the atrocities addressed in the play, such as the harsh use of racial slurs and references to attacks, are pulled directly from Davis’ own upbringing.
Performances will be held at HanesBrands Theatre. For tickets, go to www.ncblackrep.org.
Performance dates:
Friday, Oct. 3, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 4, 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 5, 2 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 9, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 10, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 11, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 12, 2 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 16, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 17, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 18, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Oct, 19, 2 p.m.
