The Color Purple at Arie Crown Theater

Chicago Tribune - Recommended

"...For just one week, the first national tour of Gary Griffin’s production has returned to Chicago, where the tour was born and played for more than six months. It’s by no means a flawless adaptation—there are inconsistent moments, especially early in the second act. But I made peace with those problems about three viewings ago. “The Color Purple” has its heart in exactly the right spot. It is an accessible, heart-warming show."

Chicago Sun Times - Highly Recommended

"...This tour also happens to be in terrific shape overall. Angela Robinson gives the most believable portrayal to date in the role of Shug Avery -- the sexy club singer whose glamor is just beginning to fray, and whose lust for men does not preclude her uniquely tender feelings for Celie. Chicago actress Felicia P. Fields continues to trigger laughter with her rambunctious assertiveness as Sofia. And the Church Ladies (Kimberly Ann Harris, Virginia Ann Woodruff and Lynette DuPree) delight with their gossipy commentary."

Daily Herald - Recommended

"...Playing Celie, the sexually and physically abused heroine of "The Color Purple," Fantasia shows quite a range from fatalistic weariness to a woman who finds an industrious inner-strength as she learns from the confident women around her. Fantasia injects a welcome touch of celebrity star power to the already talented cast under Gary Griffin's strong direction."

ChicagoCritic - Highly Recommended

"...I applaud director Gary Griffin for finding inventive ways to move the story along, get the most out of a minimal but lovely scenic design by John Lee Beatty, and helming a truly inspiring ensemble of actors. It was apparent that every member of the cast believed what he/she was saying, and it was contagious. The true sign of strong ensemble work is when everyone counts regardless of stage time, and I feel some type of award should be given to the 3 church ladies whose gossip serves as a Greek chorus (filling in the audience to exposition and offstage action). While the score is not memorable, this cast made it a joy to hear in the moment."

Chicago Stage and Screen - Recommended

"...The Color Purple, a musical about love, returns to Chicago where it all started, with less glitz, a smaller cast and in a theater that is hard to get to and much too large for a show of this intimacy. But I will say that this cast led by Fantasia as Celie and Felicia P. Fields as Sofia is dynamite. Under the direction of Gary Griffin, the original director, and Choreography by Donald Byrd, this cast of 30 takes on a musical adventure in history and the changing times between 1909 and 1949 in Georgia."