Theatre & Stage reviews by SalsaChicago.com critic Al Bresloff

"Purlie" (thru October 30)

The Goodman Theatre kicked off its 2005-06 season in The Albert (the larger of the two stages) Theatre with a revival of the Broadway musical " Purlie" written by the Late Ossie Davis (with Philip Rose and Peter Udell) and based on the original work of Mr. Davis , "Purlie Victorious". The original "Purlie" opened on Broadway back in 1970 and the purpose of this play was to "point the mocking finger at racial segregation and laugh it out of existence" according to Mr. Davis. Well it does achieve that. Back in 1970 things were a lot different than they are now, and although we no longer have segregation in fact, we all know that there is always a way to segregate, so perhaps some of our younger audiences will open their eyes a little from watching this fine production. I guess the only thing I might say about this production that could make it better was that they would have used a Chicago cast instead of bringing in the cast of the Pasadena Playhouse. God knows, we have lots of talent here that would love to take on some of the juicy roles written by Mr. Davis.

Director Sheldon Epps has moved his fine cast from Pasadena to the glorious stage in the Albert and brings this story to a high level of excitement. The set by James Leonard Joy is creative, yet simple and the costumes by Paul Tazewell and lighting by Allen Lee Hughes all help to bring the recipe to a full boil as we are told the story of Mr. Purlie Victorious Judson (the very capable Jacques C. Smith) who has tried many careers and has received the call to be a preacher. The drawback to his fulfilling his dream is that he has no church. There is a church that he can get for the sum of $500, which just happens to be the amount of money that was left to his cousin and is being held by Ol' Cap'n Cotchipee (the very "BIG DADDY TYPE" Lyle Kanouse) who even though the Civil Right Act has reformed the South, still lives in the old ways and still treats his workers as if he owned them (and in certain ways, he does). The trick is for Purlie to get that money by hook or crook, so he brings in a ringer to pretend to be his cousin, but his choice , Miss Lulubelle Gussie Mae Jenkins ( the hysterical and stylishly funny Paulette Ivory) who is not playing with a full deck. The plans goes bad and alternatives must come into play..The truth be known, the story only there to get to the songs " I Got Love" , "Down Home", "The Harder They Fall" and "he Can Do It". This show has a cast that can sing (I still say that they can match this in our city) and dance and fill the stage with excitement and enthusiasm. This is a fun place to be. I must tell you that there are two actors who steal almost every scene they are..Ms. Joyce "Peaches" Faison as Idella makes every step and every wiggle count. She can milk one second into 30 second with just a wiggle or a wink, but Harrison White as Gitlow Judson is worth the price of a ticket by himself. He can dance, he can sing and he can play for laughs and steal scenes with ease (and style as he doesn't ham-it-up, he just plays his role).

"Purlie" is a fun experience for all ages and all races. We learn from it, but more importantly we have fun, and isn't that what musical theater is all about anyway..to get away from the problems you have at work or home, to not think about what is going on in the world for 2 hours..to just relax, laugh and feel good. Well, you can "feel good" through October 30th at the Goodman Theatre with performances of "Purlie" as follows: Wednesday, Thursday and some Sunday evenigs at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday October 11th there will be a 7:30 p.m. show Friday and Saturday nights 8 p.m. Thursday,Saturday and Sunday matinees are at 2 p.m.

Tickets range in price from $40-$75 and are available at the theatre box office located at170 N. Dearborn in Chicago, by phone at312-443-3800 or online at www.goodmantheatre.org. Don't forget the Tix-at-Six half price tickets available on the day of performance and the new discount parking program at the New Government Center Self Park (Clark & Lake Streets). Bring you ticket to the Theater gift shop.