Purlie: Musical Info & Synopsis


Synopsis:

Purlie is centered around Purlie Victorious, a charismatic preacher, who returns to his Southern hometown with a plan to buy a church for his community. As Purlie, along with a cast of lively characters, works to outsmart the oppressive plantation owner Ol’ Cap’n Cotchipee, the musical confronts issues of segregation and discrimination. Purlie explores themes of racial prejudice and resilience during the civil rights movement in the American South.


Musical Information

Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1970)

Cast Size: 10+

Genre: Dramedy

Setting: 1950s, 1960s / USA (Georgia)


Creative Team

Music: Gary Geld

Lyrics/Book: Peter Udell

Book: Ossie Davis, Philip Rose


Cast Albums

Original Broadway Cast (1970)➝


Resources

Licensing: Concord Theatricals➝

Sheet Music: Musicnotes➝


Tags

1970s, Black Artists, DiscoFolkGospel, One-Word, Religious


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