ARTS . Theater Review

Purlie to Rise

Purlie, Through Feb. 10, Ritz Theatre, 915 White Horse Pike.


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Published: Jan 23, 2007

Included in Ossie Davis' tremendous legacy is the 1961 play Purlie Victorious, made into the Tony-nominated musical Purlie in 1970. This Ritz Theatre revival — one of those regional theater one-black-play-per-season deals — showcases Gary Geld and Peter Udell's moving music, though its story, especially in this telling, might seem coarse today.

VICTORIOUS: Jillian Pirtle and M. Duane Osborne in <i>Purlie</i>. Bruce Curless' production succeeds through its musical performances.

VICTORIOUS: Jillian Pirtle and M. Duane Osborne in Purlie. Bruce Curless' production succeeds through its musical performances.

M. Duane Osborne plays charismatic preacher Purlie, whose doctrines are the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, plus the naughty innuendo of his very '60s motto, "happiness on earth now." He returns to his rural Georgia home hoping to secure late Cousin Bea's $500 inheritance in order to purchase his former church, Big Bethel. Since evil boss man Ol' Cap'n (a Colonel Sanders cutout played by Jason Michael) doesn't know that Bea's deceased — Purlie brings an impersonator, adorable Lutiebelle (Jillian Pirtle). Much mischief ensues in the long first act, as womanizer Purlie and naive Lutiebelle fall in love (of course) and the Ol' Cap'n teaches his tie-dye-wearing, guitar-strumming, peacenik son Charlie (Adam Altman) his ancestors' racist, exploitive traditions. When the boy resists, whip-toting Cap'n asks, "Are you getting nonviolent with me, boy?"

Director Bruce Curless, who also designed the colorful quilt-and-cotton-flower set, overplays Purlie's farcical humor, which clashes awkwardly with its soaring songs ("The World Is Coming to a Start," Lutibelle's "I Got Love") and overstated civil rights movement themes. The show's not helped by Terri Tomola's busy, rock-concert lighting or Michelle Sasse's choreography, which leaves characters sitting too long, as in the rousing gospel celebration "Walk Him Up the Stairs," or strutting awkwardly, as in the sobering second-act opener "First Thing Monday Mornin'."

This Purlie succeeds through its musical performances, both from music director Kevin L. Parks' sassy band and the cast's strong voices. Osborne's a magnetic Purlie who includes the audience with sly winks, and all the leads sing passionately, supported by an able chorus.

Purlie

Through Feb. 10,Ritz Theatre,915 White Horse Pike,Haddon Township, N.J.,856-858-5230, www.ritztheatreco.org