Purlie
Musical - Original
Broadway Theatre (March 15, 1970 - December 15, 1970)
Winter Garden Theatre (December 16, 1970 - March 13, 1971)
ANTA Playhouse (March 15, 1971 - November 06, 1971)
Data not verified
- First Preview:
- Opening Date: March 15, 1970
- Closing Date: November 6, 1971
- Previews: 28
- Performances: 688
Lyrics: Peter Udell
Book: Peter Udell, Ossie Davis, Philip Rose
Music: Gary Geld
Synopsis
A black preacher returns to his hometown to open a church, outwitting a segregationist plantation owner to make it happen, in this musical adaptation of Ossie Davis' play Purlie Victorious.
Opening Night Cast
| Cleavon Little | Purlie | |
| Melba Moore | Lutiebelle | |
| John Heffernan | Ol' Cap'n | |
| C. David Colson | Charlie | |
| Sherman Hemsley | Gitlow | |
| Linda Hopkins | Church Soloist | |
| Helen Martin | Idella | |
| Novella Nelson | Missy |
Opening Night Production Credits
| Ossie Davis | Book | |
| Philip Rose | Book | |
| Peter Udell | Book | |
| Gary Geld | Music | |
| Peter Udell | Lyrics | |
| Philip Rose | Director |
Awards
Drama Desk Award
| Year | Category | Name | Winner/Nominee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Outstanding Performance | Melba Moore | Winner |
| 1970 | Outstanding Performance | Cleavon Little | Winner |
Theatre World
| Year | Category | Name | Winner/Nominee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Theatre World Award | Melba Moore | Winner |
Tony Award
| Year | Category | Name | Winner/Nominee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Actor in a Musical | Cleavon Little | Winner |
| 1970 | Choreography | Louis Johnson | Nominee |
| 1970 | Direction of a Musical | Philip Rose | Nominee |
| 1970 | Featured Actress in a Musical | Melba Moore | Winner |
| 1970 | Musical | Nominee |
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