As 2015 comes to a close I am so grateful for many things in my life: my family, my friends, and my good fortune in finding yet another fabulous Broadway show to produce. The Color Purple is both beautiful and meaningful with a powerful message that is really something to behold.
Opening night for the new Broadway hit The Color Purple was just as exciting as I had imagined, and not just because I'm a producer. I am thrilled to pieces that the reviews have been dazzling for this musical revival adapted from the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker and the brilliant Academy Award-nominated film by Steven Spielberg, the fifth B'way show I have produced (with no plans of stopping anytime soon): The New York Times raves that The Color Purple is "a glory to behold;" The LA Times declares "spiritually transcendent;" Huffington Post gushes that it's a "stunning, exhilarating and altogether joyful theatrical experience."
I'm overwhelmed with pride to be involved with this fine show and the most talented cast imaginable. It's hard to believe that the fabulous Jennifer Hudson, sensational London-trained Cynthia Erivo and divine Danielle Brooks (from Orange is the New Black) are all making their Broadway debuts in this production.
The strength of the female characters in The Color Purple, doing their best to make life worth living during a very low point in our nation's history, drew me to the project. That central theme also resonates with women of all races, ages and religions, and certainly contributes to the popularity of this phenomenal story.
I know all too well that women often have a difficult time putting themselves first in life, commonly placing family and work at the top of the to-do list. Women today are making great strides in empowering themselves and people are beginning to notice. 2015 has been the year for women in the entertainment industry to come forward to fight for equality on all levels of the field: equal pay, directing and producing honors to just name a few issues.
Isn't it ironic that a show about empowering women and also starring women has become one of the biggest breakouts on Broadway of the 2015 season? Not to forget, one of the most powerful females in the industry is a lead producer for the show, Oprah Winfrey -- how amazing is that?
I want to wish everyone a happy and healthy New Year and... if you can not plan a trip to New York to see this show, please rent the movie - it will surely inspire you to make some amazing New Years resolutions for 2016.