Broadway-Bound Purlie to Play Pasadena and Chicago

A new Broadway-bound production of the musical Purlie is set to premiere at the Pasadena Playhouse this summer. Pasadena Artistic Director Sheldon Epps will helm the revival, which will also head to the Goodman Theatre before a planned spring 2006 Broadway berth.

"It's a musical that, while it was successful originally, has not gotten the full measure of respect it deserved," producer James Vagias told Broadway.com. "I believe it has one of the best scores of all time. It was a seminal musical experience for me and I want to turn a new generation on to it."

Purlie features music by Gary Geld, lyrics Peter Udell and a book by Udell, Ossie Davis and Philip RoseBased on Davis' 1961 play, Purlie Victorious, the musical version tells the story of Cap'n Cothcipee, who owned everyone in town where slavery and racism were rife. A young idealistic preacher named Purlie Victorious decides to bring freedom to the townsfolk by inventing an elaborate, ingenious and hilarious scheme to reclaim the people's rights.

Purlie first opened on Broadway in 1970 and inhabited three different houses during its 688-performance run. It was revived for a short run at the Billy Rose Theatre now the Nederlander Theatre in December 1972. Before Pasadena, Epps will direct a concert mounting of Purlie as part of the Encores! season running from March 31 through April 3.