Was the Broadway-Bound Purlie Revival Victorious with CA Critics?

A revival of the musical Purlie is winding its way to Broadway. The production, directed by Sheldon Epps who helmed last season's Encores! mounting of the show features Jacques C. Smith in the title role, Paulette Ivory as Lutiebelle Gussie Mae Jenkins and Loretta Devine as Missy Judson. The production opened this week at the Pasadena Playhouse, will hit Chicago's Goodman Theatre in September, and then is expected to move on to the Great White Way. Did California critics think this Purlie was victorious?

Here is a sampling of what they had to say:

Joel Hirschhorn of Variety: "The major pizzazz of Purlie, which won Tonys for Melba Moore and Cleavon Little in 1970, stems from its vibrant pop-gospel score. All 13 songs by Gary Geld music and Peter Udell lyrics retain their upbeat vitality in a new Broadway-aimed revival directed by Sheldon Epps. This musical energy is the engine driving a book that needs updating and rethinking to fully connect with modern-day theatergoers… What's needed, and what doesn't come across, is more convincing projection of a blazing spirituality that justifies this behavior and shows strongly that even questionable actions are sometimes required to do the greatest good… Purlie can speak to new generations if some of the blatant, broadly dated dialogue and scenes are reconceived or omitted."

Steven Oxman of The Los Angeles Times: "Sure, the show is absurdly out of date. It creaks and groans with age, in part because it was never especially well built to begin with. Purlie is a relic from some obscure archeological Broadway dig, too un-pretty to be the lasting museum piece that its shiny predecessor Hair has become. But it fascinates because it's bold, entertaining and not at all easy to digest… Watching Gitlow kissing up to Cotchipee turns out to be more fun than I ever would have imagined. And nobody commands the stage more effectively than Devine. The fantastic support is important too, because Smith's Purlie is a bit problematic… Smith is charismatic enough, but his Purlie is a bit over-complicated, at least in satirical terms. Gary Geld's score--a mix of gospel, pop, and rhythm and blues out of the '70s--evokes quaint nostalgia more often than roof-raising power, although it certainly has high moments, and musical director Ronald 'Rahn' Coleman keeps it lively."

Katherine Karlin of The Los Angeles Daily News: "Purlie opens and closes with the ensemble dressed for church and singing harmonies in bluesy, wide open chords that set the exuberant tone for the evening, and it only gets better. Try to resist Purlie. And if you succeed, check your pulse… OK, maybe the story is a little silly, and maybe the book, co-written by Davis with Philip Rose and Peter Udell, bogs down in preachiness in the second act Purlie is a preacher, after all. Gary Geld's songs and the mega-talented cast make you forget all that. In the lead roles, Jacques C. Smith and Paulette Ivory hit the sweet notes of this production perfectly."