THE COLOR PURPLE

Life was not easy for Celie (Jeanette Bayardelle). As a young girl (14) she was raped several times by a man that she believes is her father, and had two children by him. He took the babies away and sold them to someone else. Then, her father arranges for her to marry an older man who Celie calls Mister. He is abusive. She is basically a slave to him and his children. She does all the work around the house, cooks, and is constantly told how ugly she is.

Things start to go better for Celie when she meets “Shug” a Blues Singer, who also sleeps around. Mister was one of her sleepovers. “Shug” takes Celie under her wing. Tells her that she is not ugly. But most of all she shows affection and tenderness for the abused girl. There is a slight tinge of Lesbianism between the two. Although not overt, there is no doubt that their love is very deep. It shows when Shug kisses Celie on the lips. Suddenly Celie begins to become stronger. Like Scarlett O’Hara, she’s not going to take it anymore and eventually, with Shug’s help, she gets up the nerve to tell ‘Mister’ that she is leaving him.

Gary Griffin’s directing is masterful. He keeps the interest going. Brian Mc Devitt’s lighting design is astounding. The Bluesy – Gospel score by Brenda Russell, Allee Will and Stephen Bray covers music over several decades with searing and gripping melodies.

As good as this original music is, and it is very impressive, I wish that there could have been one song that you could hum as you leave the theater. There are several that almost make it – but just miss. The Color Purple is of course, written, as a Broadway Musical – but its essence is more like an Opera. This production would not look or sound out of place on the Opera Stage. Most of the dialogue is sung, and for me that is just fine. That’s the way I like musicals.

There are some really powerful moments on the Orpheum stage. Celie (Bayardelle) gives a great, heartbreaking, unforgettable performance. What a voice. You will cry, laugh and suffer along with Celie on her voyage through life.

"The Color Purple" shows us a sensual pulse of life mixed with trouble. But, there is fun in the musical, especially when Sophie is on the stage. She is not afraid of any man. They ain’t gonna tell her what she can do and not do. This musical is not especially kind to the men. The men treat the women like ‘Taliban Women’. They had few rights in their world. It was the times – and Sophie helped change the times.

What really makes this show sail – is the Blue Ribbon Cast. It is their singing and acting that turn it into a masterpiece. It takes a lot of really good talent to put a show like this over – and at the Orpheum Theater they have put together the absolute best. There was only one little thing that didn’t seem to fit. That was the fantasy scene production number that takes us back to Africa. It just seemed an obvious gimmick to bring in some dancing in the middle of the story. Personally, I didn’t think it did anything for the story. Maybe it would work, if it were a little shorter.

In the end, everything is wrapped up nicely. Everyone that hated everyone else gets together. Celie forgives Mister and everyone is all lovey, dovey. Celie has a bigger heart than I do. I would never let these abusive creeps get near me, ever. The ending is not realistic. Have a party – but leave Mister out. That said – it’s still exciting and riveting -- The African American ‘Gone With The Wind’.

RATING: FOUR GLASSES OF CHAMPAGNE!!!! –trademarked- (highest rating)


Michael Caine and Jude Law looking thru a lens. Movie still.

SLEUTH (A Flicker Bit micro movie review)

The opening scenes are fascinating and strange. You, and I are looking thru a camera lens. It is a little unsettling at first, especially when you only see bits and pieces of interiors, faces, arms and legs. You know how it is when you take picture and don’t get everything you wanted in the frame? It takes a while to orient yourself to looking at the movie. Sometimes you are high above looking at someone knocking at a door and a hand comes out and welcomes you in. But, you are too far away to really see who it is.

Sleuth of course, is a mystery. And the house where this all takes place is a marvelous mystery. The modern interiors are so stark and so modern that it is ‘creepy’. And the guy who lives there, mystery writer Michael Caine is equally ‘creepy’. He invites Milo Tindal (Jude Law) to come to visit him. Why, because Tindal is having an affair with his wife – and Caine is a gamesman who likes to play games with peoples minds. Tindel is a nice well-mannered young man who is a British Hairdresser and a driver on the side, who sometimes acts in plays.

Caine professes that he wants to divorce his wife – but it all turns out to be part of an elaborate game. There are many twists and turns in this two-man film that is based on the Anthony Shaffer play. The movie has some really funny dialogue as the tables turn and the victim becomes the master of the moment, but not for long. I especially liked seeing Michael Caine wearing his wife’s Necklace and Earrings. I thought they looked rather well on him, even though Caine protests, “I don’t rather fancy them”. The two men exchange many wicked Four Letter barbs during their cat and mouse game. Who wins in the end in this drawing room mystery? I’ll never tell.

I say that there are two stars in the movie. Actually there is another star, a detective. I can’t reveal his name, for that would give away too much of the play. As I mentioned earlier – the house is so ultra modern that unless you were ready to be embalmed, you wouldn’t want to sleep there. The direction by Kenneth Branagh is positively brilliant. Both Caine and Law, turn in Oscar performances.

OPENING AT THE EMBARCEDORO THEATER
RATING: THREE BOXES OF CHAMPAGNE!!! –trademarked-



The Photo of Lee Hartgrave Boy Reporter is by Jim Ferreira – Film Noir & Hollywood Glamour. www.lafterhall.com.

YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOME HERE: leehartgraveshow@yahoo.com

PRESS STUFF: buzztatler@aol.com

Podcasts, blogs, vblogs: web.mac.com/buzzmixer/