"Purlie"

Stirring, Gospel-Fueled Musical "Purlie" Marks Black Repertory's 50th Anniversary

Berkeley Black Repertory Theater celebrates its 50th year of creating vital stage works by bringing back "Purlie", a rousing musical that marked the company's very first production five decades ago. Set in an era when Jim Crow laws were still in effect in the American South, "Purlie" follows Purlie Victorious, a charismatic traveling preacher who returns to his small Georgia hometown to save its community church and to emancipate the cotton pickers on a local plantation. Full of soaring, gospel-fueled numbers, this stirring tale was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Musical when it debuted on Broadway in 1970. Get yourself a Backstage VIP ticket for a special behind-the-scenes tour of BRT's production, where you'll join the cast for a bit as they prepare for the performance.