Purlie
by Ossie Davis, Phillip Rose, Peter Udell, Gary Geld

Highlights

Female

Male

120 mins 1950s Role(s) for Black Actor(s) Unit Set/Multiple Settings Period Costumes

Awards & Recognition

Tony Award

Nominee: Five 1970 Tony Awards, including Best Musical

Synopsis

From the composers of Shenandoah comes this ebullient musical adaptation of Ossie Davis’ hit play, Purlie Victorious .

When Purlie Victorious Judson, that strutting, newfangled preacher man, returns to his small hometown in Georgia, he wants a church and he wants freedom for the men and women working the fields of Ol’ Cap’n Cotchipee's plantation.

With the help of Lutiebelle Gussie Mae Jenkins, Purlie sets out to meet his goals.

Witty, memorable music and a whole lot of fun unfold as Purlie outmaneuvers Ol’ Cap’n and finds love with Lutiebelle.

Press Reviews

"The book is so strong, the performance so magnificent, that this musical should have you calling out ‘Hallelujah!"
— The New York Times

Characters

Character	Gender	Age	Description
PURLIE VICTORIOUS JUDSON	—	—	—
LUTIEBELLE GUSSIE MAE JENKINS	—	—	—
MISSY JUDSON	—	—	—
GITLOW JUDSON	—	—	—
CHARLIE COTCHIPEE	—	—	—
IDELLA LANDY	—	—	—
OL' CAP'N COTCHIPEE	—	—	—
ENSEMBLE CHURCH SOLOIST, FIELD HANDS, COTTON PICKERS, etc.	—	—	CHURCH SOLOIST, FIELD HANDS, COTTON PICKERS, etc.