(RED BANK, NJ) -- Phoenix Productions, the community theatre company at the Count Basie Center for the Arts, is presenting The Color Purple: The Musical, featuring the community theatre company's first all-Black cast, from November 15-17, 2024. Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos.
The production showcases the company's ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion through casting and title selections that fulfill a mission to create a space where talented people are encouraged to do their best work.
“We are proud to see the beloved and inspiring story of The Color Purple brought to life on our historic stage,” says Adam Philipson, President and CEO, Count Basie Center for the Arts. “Part of our mission at the Basie Center is to be an inclusive space where diverse storytelling is shared and uplifted. The team at Phoenix Productions has created a beautiful and profound performance and we can’t wait to share with our community.”
An unforgettable story of enduring love and triumph over adversity, The Color Purple is a landmark musical from the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker. This stirring family chronicle follows the inspirational Celie, a downtrodden young woman whose personal awakening over the course of 40 years forms the arc of this epic story. With a joyous score featuring jazz, ragtime, gospel, African music and blues, The Color Purple, is a story of hope, a testament to the healing power of love, and a celebration of life.
“The amazing cast taking the stage in this production are inspiring reminders of how shows like The Color Purple are powerful stories that share an authentic experience,” says James Grausam, Managing Artistic Director of Phoenix Productions. “Part of our mission as a community theatre is to make sure that everyone who wants to participate in the arts feels that they belong. No matter who you are, where you come from or how much experience you have, there is a place for you at Phoenix Productions.”
Erica Wilkins is an actor and singer who plays the lead role of Celie. A Connecticut resident, she was invited to audition for the role after casting producers discovered her signing on social media.
“I identify with Celie because of her journey toward self-discovery,” says Erica Wilkins “It's important that we're able to tell this African-American story. There may be little black girls in the audience who may see this and realize The Color Purple is part of their story, too.”
Mother and daughter Mona and Jasmine Plantt star alongside Wilkins as Church Ladies. Jasmine performed in the 2023 Phoenix Productions show Once on this Island. When auditions opened for The Color Purple, Jasmine encouraged Mona to audition alongside her. It is the first time the Plantts will perform on stage together.
“What I want people to take away from our show is perseverance. The power of the human spirit to endure,” says Mona Plantt. “There's going to be a lot of singing, clapping and music that resonates with people, it moves the emotions. Take something out of it spiritually and be able to see their lives from on stage to where they're sitting. That's the most important thing: a real-life experience.”
“It means a lot to have the opportunity to be around people who look like me,” says Jasmine Plantt. “It’s a community in that sense. Everybody has a place. Everyone belongs for the first time.”
Phoenix Productions’ The Color Purple is directed by Jarrod Scott; Music Director: Michael Gilch; Choreographer: Natalie Hayes-Scott; Production Manager: Fran Centofane Katz; and Production Stage Manager: Dennis Tolentino.
Performances are on Friday, November 15th at 7:30pm; Saturday, November 16 at 7:30pm; and Sunday, November 17 at 2:00pm. A daytime performance for schools is also part of the run, for information, contact education@thebasie.org. For tickets and additional show information, visit www.thebasie.org/phoenix. Count Basie Center for the Arts is located at 99 Monmouth Street in Red Bank, New Jersey.
Here are more photos from the production.
The Count Basie Center for the Arts is New Jersey’s premier center for the cultural arts, dedicated to fostering powerful, inclusive artistic experiences and creative exchange of ideas. The Basie mission is to inspire, educate and entertain through its distinct and engaging cultural and artistic offerings that embrace and amplify the diversity of the region. As a nonprofit organization, the Basie is committed to enriching the community’s quality of life by generating opportunities for participation in the arts, partnering with schools, collaborating with other mission-based organizations and driving regional economic prosperity. The Basie Center has hosted an array of world-class artists, including Bruce Springsteen & the E-Street Band, Jon Bon Jovi, John Legend, Brandi Carlile, Crosby Stills & Nash, Tony Bennett, Diana Ross and Ringo Starr. Count Basie Center programming is made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.
John Posada is a New Jersey based photographer specializing in photographing live theatre and music performances. For more than 15 years, John has photographed live events where he mastered the techniques of timing and capturing fast moving action under challenging lighting conditions. Currently, John has spent the last 3 years concentrating on photographing almost 200 theatre productions for over 70 different theatres. Click here for John's website.
