The Color Purple

In This Program

• About the Show
• Credits
• In Memoriam: Senator Bill Ramos
• A Note from Adam Immerwahr, Artistic Director
• Who’s Who
• From Page to Screen to Stage to Screen: 40 Years of Adaptation
• Sponsor Spotlights
• Brigadoon: Arika Matoba's Casting Diary
• Print Edition
• More About Village Theatre

About the Show

ADAM IMMERWAHR, Artistic Director

DEREK WATANABE, Managing Director

BASED UPON THE NOVEL WRITTEN BY ALICE WALKER AND
THE WARNER BROS./AMBLIN ENTERTAINMENT MOTION PICTURE  

Book by 

MARSHA NORMAN

Music and Lyrics by

BRENDA RUSSELL, ALLEE WILLIS AND STEPHEN BRAY

THE COLOR PURPLE was produced on Broadway at the Broadway Theater by Oprah Winfrey, Scott Sanders, Roy Furman and Quincy Jones. The world premiere of THE COLOR PURPLE was produced by the Alliance Theatre, Atlanta, Georgia.

Francis J. Gaudette Theatre
May 27–June 29, 2025

Everett Performing Arts Center
July 5–27, 2025

Set Designer
CAREY WONG

Costume Designer
RICKY GERMAN

Lighting Designer
SHERRICE MOJÇGANI

Sound Designer
ROBERTSON WITMER

Stage Manager
MIRANDA MIKOLAIZIK*

Music Supervisor
SHEILAH V WALKER

Choreographer
NIKKI LONG

Piano/Conductor
TIM SYMONS

Director
TIMOTHY MCCUEN PIGGEE

The Color Purple Revival is presented through special arrangement with and
all authorized performance materials are supplied by Theatrical Rights Worldwide
1180 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 640, New York, NY 10036. www.theatricalrights.com

The video or audio recording of this performance by any means is strictly prohibited. 

Season Sponsors

Artsfund
Boeing
Microsoft
Hook & Cleaver | Lombardi's Italian Restaurant and Bar

Producing Sponsors

4Culture
Everett, WA
City of Issaquah Arts Commission
Seattle NorthCountry, made possible in part by assistance from the Snohomish County Hotel-Motel Tax Fund.

Show Sponsors

KCTS9

Credits

*The Actors and Stage Managers are members of the Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. 

Special Thanks

Annika Evens
Rod “Red” Gibson, Christie Lites Seattle
Charles L. Simmons
Totem Lake Shoe Repair

The Village Theatre community mourns the passing of Bill Ramos, Washington State Senator for the 5th Legislative District. He and his wife Sarah Perry, King County Council Vice Chair, have been patrons and generous supporters of Village for over 25 years.

Bill was a tireless advocate for Village Theatre and the arts in our community, and his partnership was critical to advancing the theater’s mission and infrastructure. We honor and remember him for his friendship, his commitment to serving our community, and his support for the arts and the environment. We dedicate this production of The Color Purple to his memory.

Dear Patrons,

I fell in love with The Color Purple the moment I started listening to the album—the music is, quite simply, stunning. But then I got to read the script, which led me to revisit Alice Walker’s astonishing 1982 novel upon which it is based, and I was overwhelmed. It’s a story of hardship and endurance, but it’s also a story of hope and faith. It is a story that asks us to remember that there is holiness all around us and that love itself—in any form—is a spiritual act.

This isn’t to say that The Color Purple is an easy story to experience, or to tell. I’m immensely grateful to our cast and creative team, led by brilliant director Timothy McCuen Piggee, in taking us on this journey. Performing a story like this requires enormous bravery and tremendous heart; I hope you share my appreciation for the storytelling we’re about to witness.

This is the final production in our 2024-2025 season, which has also featured Camelot, Legally Blonde, Dial M for Murder, and Jersey Boys. Whether you’ve been with us all season, you’ve only attended a few of these shows, or The Color Purple is your first—thank you. We build our shows for you, and there’s a team of Village professionals—technicians, artisans, designers, creatives, actors, musicians, and administrators—who are constantly thinking about your experience and enjoyment. We’re so honored that you chose to spend your time with us. 

I hope that you’ll join us next season. Our line-up includes Lerner and Loewe’s sweeping and romantic Brigadoon, Dolly Parton’s toe-tapping 9 to 5 The Musical, Ken Ludwig’s utterly ridiculous Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery, the nostalgic classic Grease, and a brand new satirical musical, We Ain’t Ever Gonna Break Up: The Hymon and Parfunkel Musical, which is performed by its two writers who play every role (and every instrument!) in this hilarious show. You can subscribe by visiting us in person or at VillageTheatre.org, or by calling our ticket office.

I’ll see you in the lobby!

Adam Immerwahr       
Artistic Director              

P.S. I always welcome your thoughts about the work at Village Theatre. You can email me directly at adam@villagetheatre.org.

Who’s Who

Cast

JAHMAUL BAKARE, (Mister) began vocal training at Morehouse College and finished his graduate studies at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas. Bakare has won prestigious awards for his interpretations of both operatic and musical theater repertoire. Some roles performed include: Agwe in Once on This Island (first national Broadway tour), Pinkerton in Madame Butterfly, Flick in Violet, Enjolras in Les Misérables, and Wolf/Prince Charming in Into the Woods. IG: @jahmaulb

ISAIAH BANKS, he/him (Bobby) is a Seattle native singer/songwriter. He’s been singing his whole life and has amazed crowds with his rich tone and expansive vocal range. As a musical theater lover, Isaiah is so excited to be a part of this year’s production of The Color Purple!

MELANY BELL, she/they (Church Lady) is a published author, and multi-disciplinary, installation artist. They have a passion for training in decarceral learning and have historically worked with: Julie Taymor on Disney’s The Lion King and Lloyd Richards on The Piano Lesson (Broadway). T.V.: Michael Crichton, CCH Pounder, George Clooney, Omar Epps, Debbie Morgan, and Joe Napolitano. Theatre: Oregon Shakespeare Festival, The Globe Theatre, The Ahmanson Theatre.

BRANDI BIRDSONG, she/her (Nettie) is a So-Cal native with a BM in vocal performance from Cal State Fullerton. Since moving to Seattle, her favorite credits include Ronette in Little Shop of Horrors (Village Theatre), Adriana in The Comedy of Errors (Seattle Shakespeare Company), and Duncan in Macbeth: A Rock Musical (Seattle Public Theater). Brandi has also had the privilege to work with Seattle Opera, Tacoma Opera, and NPR Music Live Sessions with Classical King FM. @_brandi.birdsong

DWELVAN DAVID, he/him (Preacher, Buster, u/s Ol’ Mister). Village Theatre debut. Off-Broadway: Emojiland, Till, Standby. Tour: Disney’s Aladdin, Finding Neverland, The Gershwins’ Porgy & Bess. Regional: Knoxville, Spamalot, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, The Wiz, Caroline, or Change, Ragtime and others. TV: American Sports Story, Poker Face, Russian Doll, Law and Order: Special Victims Unit and more. BFA from Millikin University. AEA Proud. Thanks to EntLabNY. Shalom Y’all! @dwelvandavid, Dwelvandavid.com

ANTEIA DᴇLANEY, she/her (Squeak, u/s Nettie) is beyond grateful to join Village Theatre once again for The Color Purple. Her other Village credits include Whitney/Ensemble in Legally Blonde The Musical, Little Eva in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, and Ensemble in Hello, Dolly!. She was also Anna in Spring Awakening (The 5th Avenue Theatre) and most recently, Mary Wallace in Athena (ArtsWest). To her DeLaney family, this one is for all of you.

CRYSTAL HAIRSTON, she/her (Church Lady) is making her debut with Village Theatre in this production of The Color Purple. She counts it a dream come true to join this incredible cast in honoring this timeless work. When not on stage, Crystal pours her passion for the arts into her community as an artist, art director, teacher, mentor and founder of Lifted! Youth Gospel Choir. She’s eternally grateful to her husband Tali, their crew of six, and her village for always seeing and believing in her greatness. She rests on your loving shoulders.

JESIMIEL R. JENKINS, he/him (Harpo) returns to Village in this miraculous production after appearing in Once on This Island last summer. Most recent: A Thick Description of Harry Smith, Part 1, The Oresteia, Father Comes Home from the Wars (University of Washington). Local: ACT Theatre, Seattle Shakespeare Company, Tacoma Arts Live. Regional: The Hangar Theatre, Walnut Street Theatre, Actors Theatre of Louisville, and others. Commercials: Mitsubishi, Old Navy. MFA in acting, University of Washington. “Look what God has done!” IG: @bookjesimiel

TERENCE KELLEY, he/him (Guard, Ol’ Mister) played King Triton in Disney’s The Little Mermaid (The 5th Avenue Theatre). He has toured with Missoula Children’s Theatre. His past roles include Tommy Albright in Brigadoon, Caiphus in Jesus Christ Superstar, Harold Hill in The Music Man, Pirate King in Pirates of Penzance, Big Jule in Guys and Dolls (Village Theatre); Oberon in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Master Page in The Merry Wives of Windsor (Seattle Shakespeare Company); El Gallo in The Fantasticks, Horse in The Full Monty, and Aslan in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. He is a graduate of the Vancouver Film School. “Love U Angela, son Cameron, R.I.P. son Aleron.”

ANIAH LONG, (Olivia, u/s Shug Avery, u/s Celie) is honored to join the cast of The Color Purple! She recently completed the national tour of Tina – The Tina Turner Musical, where she began as Ensemble, u/s Georgina and u/s Zelma Bullock and later took over the role of Zelma Bullock. Aniah is a proud graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, where she earned her Certificate in integrated conservatory. Endless thanks to Geoff Josselson Casting and Dottridge Talent Management.

MARIAH LYTTLE, (Celie) is a multi-hyphenate creative artist located in NYC! Broadway: u/s Dorothy in The Wiz, Ensemble and u/s Cinderella in Bad Cinderella. Tour: Swing and u/s Dorothy in The Wiz, Celie in The Color Purple. Regional: Lorrell in Dreamgirls (Paramount Theatre), BJ in Smokey Joe’s Cafe (North Shore Music Theatre), Armelia in Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Pioneer Theatre), Sarah in Ragtime (Playhouse Stage Company). Debut extended play of “Introspection” now available on all streaming platforms! Graduate of Ithaca College, BFA in musical theater ‘19. Proudly repped by DGRW. For God, my family, friends and students. mariahlyttle.com

KATAKA J. MACKENZIE, she/they (Church Lady). Select credits: Erzulie in Once on This Island (Village Theatre), Lil Mama in STEW (ACT Theatre), Kameeka in The Hula Hoopin’ Queen (Seattle Children’s Theatre), Marian Anderson in My Lord, What A Night (Taproot Theatre), and Dorothy in The Wiz (The 5th Avenue Theatre). Much love.

SHERMONA MITCHELL, she/they (Sofia) is an actor, director and adaptor, transplanted to Seattle by way of Kentucky. Shermona has enjoyed a myriad of opportunities both nationally across Washington, Oregon, and Pennsylvania and internationally in Canada and Turkmenistan. Shermona has worked with The 5th Avenue Theatre, Taproot Theatre, ACT Theatre, Intiman Theatre, Washington Ensemble Theatre, Seattle Children’s Theatre, and theater simple, among many others. Shermona also serves as Co-Artistic Director for Sound Theatre Company.

CLAUDINE MBOLIGIKPELANI NAKO, she/her (Shug Avery). Previously at Village: My Heart is the Drum, Big River. Other theater: The Crucible, Dracula, Mr. Burns (ACT Theatre); As You Like It, A Raisin in the Sun (Seattle Rep); Red Riding Hood, Snow White (Seattle Children’s Theatre). Film/TV: Raising Dion, Everything Sucks! (Netflix); Three Busy Debras (MAX). Member of AEA, SAG-AFTRA, & DGA. Nako is the writer/composer of the new musical Photosynthesis (photosynthesismusical.com)—sneak previews at LANGSTON Seattle this September!

CHARLES L. SIMMONS, he/him (Adam, Dance Captain, u/s Harpo, u/s Preacher) is a performing artist from Tacoma, WA and is honored to return to the Village stage with such a beautiful show! Previous credits include Legally Blonde The Musical, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Dreamgirls, Hairspray, You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown (Village Theatre); Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and The Wiz (The 5th Avenue Theatre). IG: @Shiemmons18

CHANDLER T. THOMAS, he/him (Pa, u/s Mister) is grateful to be returning to Village Theatre’s stage. Previous Mainstage credits include: Once on This Island, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Dreamgirls and Hairspray. He’s also been seen in Village’s Festival of New Musicals in The Oscar Micheaux Project. Other regional credits: Annie and Mamma Mia! (The 5th Avenue Theatre). Chandler enjoys being a father to his three amazing daughters, working as a teaching artist and a union stagehand. Phil. 4:13

TARQUINN WHITE, (Grady) is a South African performer who has a PGD in education management and BA in teaching musical theatre from Trinity London. His previous works include: Rent, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Assassins, Parade, Sister Act, The Wedding Singer, Bat Out of Hell and Memphis (Germany); and an international Asian tour of Cats. Tarquinn also has an EP out visible on all music streaming platforms.

Understudies

EYUAL DEGAGA, he/him (Swing) is super excited to show you all the work that has been put into this show! Previous shows you might have seen Eyual in are: Jesus Christ Superstar in Concert, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Merrily We Roll Along, Disney’s Newsies, Krisis Kids Wilderness Adventure Camp (Village Theatre’s KIDSTAGE) and Into the Woods (The 5th Avenue Theatre).

ZHANEA JUNE, she/her (u/s Celie) is thrilled to return to Village Theatre, where she first appeared as Lorraine in All Shook Up (Village Theatre’s KIDSTAGE). She studied musical theater at Howard University and vocal performance at Musicians Institute. A vocal coach and Music Arts Coordinator for her church, she thanks her wife and daughter for their love and support in making her dreams a reality.

SOPHIA MENDEZ, (Swing) started theater in the 8th grade, and has been in love ever since. After 2019, she went to Baylor University for physics, and hasn’t been in the theater world for a few years. She is grateful for her wonderfully supportive theater friend, Aaron Norman, who encouraged her to audition for The Color Purple. This is her joyful reunion with performance and the arts, and she couldn’t be happier to do it with Village. 

RAE NELLIE, (Swing) is overjoyed to have her Mainstage debut with Village Theatre. She worked in Village Theatre’s youth programs, so returning with a spectacular show like The Color Purple is a dream. Rae graduated with a BA in musical theatre from University of North Colorado. Recently she’s been in Brown Bodies on a Blue Earth (The Underground Theatre) and Cowboys with Questions (Washington Ensemble Theatre). To get in touch, visit rachelnellie.com. @rclnellie

BRODRICK SANTEZE RYANS, he/him (Swing) is thrilled to make his Village Theatre debut in The Color Purple! A theater actor, director and casting director, he owns and operates BSR Casting, a Black and queer-owned company based in Seattle. Brodrick recently worked as the Casting Director and Associate Director for The Last Five Years (ACT Theatre / The 5th Avenue Theatre) and Assistant Director for A Raisin in the Sun (Taproot Theatre Company). Brodrick is passionate about creating inclusive spaces in theater. Love to my partner BJ and our pooch Pua!

Creative Team

TIMOTHY McCUEN PIGGEE, he/him (Director). After appearing in over 10 Village Theatre productions, Timothy directed Hello, Dolly!, and co-directed Hairspray and Dreamgirls (Village Theatre). His acting and directing work has been seen on Broadway, The 5th Avenue Theatre, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Kansas City Repertory Theatre, ACT Theatre, Portland Center Stage, Arizona Theatre Company, and most recently Fat Ham at Seattle Rep. Timothy is a proud recipient of the Lunt-Fontanne fellowship and the Gregory A. Falls Gregory Award for sustained achievement.

SHEILAH V WALKER, (Music Supervisor). London: Music Supervisor for Olivier-nominated Ragtime. Broadway: Associate Conductor/Accordionist for Tony Award-winning revival of Fiddler on the Roof, Conductor for Ragtime (Lincoln Center). Conductor for Porgy and Bess (American Repertory Theater), The Color Purple, Ragtime, and Fiddler on the Roof (first National Tours). Associate Conductor for Drood, Hello, Dolly!, Singin’ in the Rain. Music Supervisor for Shout Sister Shout! (Seattle Rep and Ford’s Theatre). Conducted in Europe, Canada, Japan, and Puerto Rico. Voice Coach/Audition accompanist for over 10 years.

NIKKI LONG, (Choreographer). Credits: Guys and Dolls (Village Theatre), Elf the Musical (North Carolina Theatre), Jesus Christ Superstar (Cornish University), Little Shop of Horrors (Shoreline College), Champagne Widow (Café Nordo), The Wiz and Annie (The 5th Avenue Theatre/Associate), Ragtime (The 5th Avenue Theatre and Asolo Repertory Theatre/Associate), On The Town (The 5th Avenue Theatre/Associate). Dance: Disney’s Aladdin and Disney’s The Lion King (Broadway), Spamalot, Rockette (NYC). Elf the Musical, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Catch Me If You Can, On the Town, White Christmas, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Mame. BFA from Santa Clara University. Love to my family.

TIM SYMONS, (Piano/Conductor) is the Resident Music Supervisor at Village Theatre. Credits: Legally Blonde The Musical, Jesus Christ Superstar, Cabaret, Hart Island, The Fantasticks, Songs for a New World, The Who’s Tommy (Village Theatre); Rock of Ages, Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Romy & Michele’s High School Reunion (The 5th Avenue Theatre); Assassins (ACT Theatre); Man of La Mancha, Xanadu (Arizona Theatre Company). Original scores for Seattle Children’s Theatre, Seattle Shakespeare Company, Village Theatre. Love to Taylor, Cedar and Winslow!

CAREY WONG, he/him (Scenic Designer). Village Theatre: 14 shows including: Hello, Dolly!, Hairspray, Aida, The Secret Garden, and La Cage aux Folles. Other theatres: Seattle Rep, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Portland Center Stage, Arizona Theatre Company, Center Stage Baltimore, Syracuse Stage, Alliance Theatre, Prince Music Theatre, ACT Theatre, Seattle Children’s Theatre. Opera: Seattle Opera, Portland Opera, Pittsburgh Opera, Spoleto Festival USA, Macao and Beijing Music Festivals. www.careywong.com

RICKY GERMAN, he/him (Costume Designer) holds a BA in theatre arts from University of Puget Sound. He currently manages the costume shop for the University of Washington. Costume design credits: Reparations, Citizen: An American Lyric (Sound Theatre Company); Bulrusher (Intiman Theatre); Pass Over, Golden (ACT Theatre); B, The Doll Pit (Washington Ensemble Theatre); Confederates (Oregon Shakespeare Festival, St. Louis Repertory Theatre), Fat Ham (Seattle Rep). Upcoming show: After Midnight (The 5th Avenue Theatre).

SHERRICE MOJGANI, she/her (Lighting Designer) recently designed Derecho and The Garden (La Jolla Playhouse); Trouble in Mind, What You Are and Skeleton Crew (The Old Globe Theatre); Bulrusher and Blues for an Alabama Sky (McCarter Theatre Center); The Mountaintop and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime (Round House Theater); Tiny Beautiful Things and The Folks at Home (Baltimore Center Stage); The High Ground, The Heiress and Two Trains Running (Arena Stage); Spunk, Ain’t Misbehavin’ and The Scottsboro Boys (Signature Theatre Company); A Raisin in the Sun, Murder on the Orient Express, A Few Good Men and Sweat (Pittsburgh Public Theatre). Sherrice is an Associate Professor at Tulane University. She holds a B.A. in theater arts from University of California Santa Cruz and an M.F.A. in lighting design from University of California San Diego. smojgani.com

ROBERTSON WITMER, (Sound Designer). Previous shows at Village Theatre include: Matilda, Hello, Dolly!, Once on This Island, and Camelot. Other recent productions include: The Lehman Trilogy (ACT Contemporary Theatre); Romeo & Juliet (Seattle Shakespeare Company); Malcolm X (Seattle Opera) and Peril in the Alps (Laguna Playhouse). His sound designs have also been heard at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Spectrum Dance Theater, Seattle Rep, and Teatro ZinZanni. Rob is a member of United Scenic Artists, Local 829.

MIRANDA MIKOLAIZIK, (Stage Manager) is so excited to be working on this show! She is also grateful to be serving as the theatre’s Resident Stage Manager. Miranda has worked on a number of shows at Village since 2014 including Dreamgirls, Matilda the Musical, Songs for a New World, Cabaret and Legally Blonde The Musical. She also tries to stage manage for The 14/48 Projects whenever possible and loves lifting heavy things. All the love to Chris and the kittens.

MACKENZIE BREDA, she/her (Assistant Stage Manager) is a freelance Seattle stage manager and theater technician. She is so excited to be making her Village Theatre debut! She has a degree in theatre design and technology from Seattle Pacific University. Other credits include work with: Taproot Theatre Company, Acrobatic Conundrum, University of Washington Drama, Seattle Public Theatre, Seattle Historical Theatre Project, and The Feast. She also does live event work around Seattle. Much love to her family and friends! mackenziebreda.com

ELIZABETH STASIO, she/her (Assistant Stage Manager) is a Seattle-local stage manager and theater artist. This is her first project with Village Theatre and she is so happy to be here working with this amazing group of artists. Regional stage management and backstage credits include work at Seattle Children’s Theatre, ACT Theatre, Seattle Rep, Seattle Shakespeare Company, The 5th Avenue Theatre, 14/48 Projects, and others.

MARSHA NORMAN, (Book) won the Pulitzer Prize for her play, ‘Night, Mother and a Tony Award for her book of the Broadway musical, The Secret Garden. Ms. Norman is co-chair, with Christopher Durang, of the Playwriting Department of the Juilliard School and vice president of the Dramatists Guild of America. Her other plays include Getting Out, Traveler in the Dark, Sarah and Abraham, Trudy Blue, and Last Dance. Her published work includes Four Plays, Vol. I: Collected Plays of Marsha Norman and a novel, The Fortune Teller. She has numerous film and TV credits, Grammy and Emmy nominations, and awards from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Rockefeller Foundation, the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters and the Fellowship of Southern Writers. She is a native of Kentucky who lives in New York City and Long Island with her two children. 

BRENDA RUSSELL, (Music & Lyrics) has a unique musical perspective, intimate voice and prolific treasure-trove of lyrics, that prove that a truly glowing talent only deepens with time. Composer of the classics “Get Here,” “If Only For One Night,” and the Grammy-nominated “Piano In The Dark,” Brenda’s songwriting prowess and chameleon-like ability to shift between musical genres and combine styles trumpeted ovations in 2005 with the opening of the Tony Award-winning hit Broadway musical The Color Purple, for which she, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray co-wrote the music and lyrics. Brenda and her co-authors were also nominated for a 2007 Grammy in the Best Musical Show Album category for the original cast album.

ALLEE WILLIS, (Music & Lyrics) is a one-woman creative think-tank. A multi-disciplinary artist and visionary thinker whose range of imagination and productivity knows no bounds, her success exuberantly defies categorization; “unique” pales as a descriptor. Willis is a Grammy-winning and Emmy- and Tony- nominated composer whose hit songs—including Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September” and “Boogie Wonderland,” The Pointer Sisters’ “Neutron Dance,” Pet Shop Boys with Dusty Springfield’s “What Have I Done To Deserve This,” and The Rembrandts’ “I’ll Be There For You (Theme From Friends)”—have sold over 50 million records. In 2006, Willis’ songs were also featured in three of the top grossing films of the year, Happy Feet, Night at the Museum and Babel. 

STEPHEN BRAY, (Music & Lyrics) is thrilled to be making his Broadway debut with The Color Purple. After beginning music studies with private instruction in Detroit, Bray continued training at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. Working with Madonna, he wrote and produced many of her top-ten recordings, including “Angel,” “Into the Groove,” “Papa Don’t Preach,” “True Blue” and “Express Yourself.” Performing with Breakfast Club, he earned a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist and a top-ten single. He has composed and produced for multiplatinum artists including The Jets, Gladys Knight and Kylie Minogue. Film and television projects include Beverly Hills Cop II, Who’s That Girl?, All About the Benjamins and the theme for PBS’s “California Connected.” Stephen is developing artists for his Soultone label and looks forward to more musical theatre. He would like to thank his daughter Milena for her eternal patience and his family for their continuing support.

ADAM IMMERWAHR, (Artistic Director) is responsible for season selection and also oversees the artistic, education, and production departments. He recently directed Village’s productions of Dial M for Murder, Lerner and Loewe’s Camelot, Ken Ludwig’s Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood, and The Fantasticks. He previously served as Artistic Director of Theater J, the Associate Artistic Director at McCarter Theatre, and the Resident Director of Passage Theatre. Adam’s producing credits include new works by Edward Albee, Christopher Durang, Danai Gurira, Fiasco Theater, Will Power, Stephen Wadsworth, Tarell Alvin McCraney, and Ken Ludwig, several of which have transferred to Broadway or off-Broadway. As a director, Adam’s work has been seen from Aspen to Zimbabwe, including at some of the top theaters in the country: The Public and Theater Row (both for Summer Play Festival), Ensemble Studio Theatre, Walnut Street Theatre, Woolly Mammoth, McCarter Theater, Cleveland Play House, Lyric Theater of Oklahoma, Theater J, Passage Theater, Hangar Theater, Bristol Riverside, and many others. He serves on the Board of the Issaquah Chamber of Commerce and is an inaugural member of the Drama League Director’s Council.

DEREK WATANABE, (Managing Director) has served as the Managing Director of Village Theatre since the beginning of the 2024-25 season and oversees the marketing, finance, fundraising, patron services, operations, and facilities areas of the organization. He has been a long-term champion of Village Theatre, as subscriber (27 years), Board member (15 years), Village Originals member, KIDSTAGE parent, and donor. During his tenure as Board President, he helped lead Village through the construction of the Watjen Technical Studios, Hunt Family Theatre and Cope Gillette Theatre. Originally from Honolulu, Derek moved to the west coast to pursue his bachelor’s and graduate degrees at Pomona College, UCLA, and USC. He and his wife, Anne, have lived in Issaquah for 28 years, where they raised their 3 children. He can be reached at derek@villagetheatre.org.

The Director and Choreographer are members of the STAGE DIRECTORS AND CHOREOGRAPHERS SOCIETY, a national theatrical labor union.

All stage work performed by members of IATSE Local 15.

All costume construction and hair/make-up work is performed by employees represented by IATSE TWU Local #887.

All scenic painting work is performed by employees represented by IATSE Local 488.

United Scenic Artists represents the designers and scenic painters for the American Theatre.

The actors and stage managers employed in this production are members of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States.

The theatre operates under an agreement with Local 76-493, American Federation of Musicians, AFL-CIO, representing the musicians.

Village Theatre proudly participates in the Theatre Puget Sound presented Gregory Awards for Excellence in Local Performing Arts.

From Page to Screen to Stage to Screen

40 Years of Adaptation

By Ellen Morgan Peltz

Few stories have captured hearts and minds as powerfully as Alice Walker’s The Color Purple. From its publication in 1982 to its most recent adaptation as a musical film released in 2023, The Color Purple continues to prove that deeply personal stories rooted in the particular are often the most universally understood.

Before it was a movie, a musical, a screenplay or even a novel, The Color Purple was a lived experience. Walker based the novel on her own family history and personal experiences. Despite the semi-autobiographical nature of the story, The Color Purple resonated broadly with audiences, winning both the Pulitzer Prize for fiction and the National Book Award. 

It wasn’t long before Walker’s story caught Hollywood’s attention. In Purple Rising, producer Peter Guber recounts his introduction to the book by a group of white women. “I was intrigued by what interested them: the journey of Celie and the aspirational desires she had against all odds.” 

Gruber wasn’t alone—the project quickly garnered the support of a star-studded cast and production team that included producer and composer Quincy Jones, director Stephen Spielberg, and actors Danny Glover and Whoopie Goldberg, making her film debut as Celie, among many others. 

Adapting The Color Purple—whether for stage or screen—has challenged every team that’s tackled it. To begin, the novel is structured as a series of letters from Celie to God and to her sister. This format provides readers with a window into Celie’s mind and heart and keeps them focused on Celie as the protagonist. 

Marsha Norman, who wrote the script for the 2005 stage musical, was initially worried that Celie would be overshadowed by some of the more dynamic characters in a stage version of the story. To solve this problem, she structured the entire play around Celie both emotionally and physically, using the physical presence of the actress on stage to achieve what the letter-writing format of the novel had done on the page.

Another storytelling technique that each adaption of The Color Purple employs to varying degrees is music, although it wasn’t until the story was adapted into a stage musical that music was used as a narrative device.

The job of bringing Celie’s world to life through music was entrusted to Brenda Russell, Allee Willis, and Stephen Bray, all of whom were well established songwriters in the pop and R&B worlds. With a score blending gospel, jazz, and blues, the team created a musical landscape that propels the characters of The Color Purple forward in their individual journeys.

In 2013, British director John Doyle mounted a new production of the musical in London that stripped away the elaborate sets to focus on the raw emotion of the story. Doyle’s production, starring Cynthia Erivo, moved to Broadway in 2015 where it won the Tony Awards for Best Revival of a Musical and Leading Actress in a Musical (Erivo). In 2023, The Color Purple returned to the screen as a movie musical, using magical realism as a device to access to the world of Celie’s imagination. 

For over forty years, The Color Purple has invited audiences to join Celie on her journey of resilience, love and self-discovery. Whether that story is told in a book, on a movie screen, or on a stage, it remains powerful and relatable because at its core, it is a human story. If you’ve ever loved or been loved; if you’ve ever hurt or been hurt; if you’ve ever noticed the color purple and given thanks, then Celie’s story is for you. 

PHOTO CREDITS
Alice Walker signing autographs at the Zora Neale Hurston Festival of the Arts and Humanities : Eatonville, Florida. Photograper: Nancy Nusz. January 1990. https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/106463

ArtsFund is proud to support Village Theatre’s mission as they continue to produce dynamic programming that highlights innovative artists in the Pacific Northwest. ArtsFund’s support of local arts organizations is only possible through the contributions of donors in this community, and we are immensely grateful to the generous individuals and businesses who have supported ArtsFund as well as Village Theatre. We will continue to support arts organizations, like Village Theatre, that elevate the voices of Washington state through our leadership, advocacy, and grantmaking programs. We are excited to see what will be performed throughout this season!

The Boeing Company is committed to improving the quality of life within the communities where our employees live and work. Our Global Engagement programs implement Boeing’s philanthropy through local charitable investments, volunteerism, employee drives, personal giving, disaster response, and other integrated programs. Boeing is proud to be a supporter of Village Theatre’s productions and musical theatre education programs, and we are pleased to welcome you back to live theatre. Enjoy the show!

Microsoft is pleased to sponsor Village Theatre’s 2024–2025 Season, and to welcome you to this production of The Color Purple. Village Theatre is a favorite among our employees and their families, and we are delighted to support a vibrant community arts organization that brings high quality entertainment to the Eastside. We encourage employee engagement and volunteerism in the community throughout the year and through support of great organizations like Village Theatre, we aim to foster a strong community culture where the arts will thrive for generations to come. Enjoy the show!

Lombardi’s Italian Restaurants & Catering is honored to be a long-time Village Theatre sponsor! Lombardi’s delights diners at their three locations: at the scenic Everett Marina, the bustling Bellingham Marina, and their newest culinary venture, Hook & Cleaver, in Mukilteo. Date night or any night, experience Lombardi’s classic and contemporary Italian cuisine from all around Italy. Sip your favorite Washington and Italian wines, savor a handcrafted cocktail, or enjoy one of the many local brews with your meal. Village Theatre and Lombardi’s, the perfect pairing!

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