Kerry Washington and Nnamdi Asomugha visited the September 24 performance of Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch to check in and enjoy a backstage visit with the cast. See photos from the visit below.
The married duo is part of the revival's producing team. The production is set to open September 27 at the Music Box Theatre with Tony winner Kenny Leon at the helm.
Starring—and co-producing, in his Broadway producer debut—is Leslie Odom, Jr., taking on the title role opposite Kara Young as Lutiebelle Gussie Mae Jenkins. They're joined by Heather Alicia Simms as Missy Judson, Billy Eugene Jones as Gitlow Judson, Noah Robbins as Charlie Cotchipee, Vanessa Bell Calloway as Idella Landy, Jay O. Sanders as Ol' Cap'n Cotchipee, Bill Timoney as The Sheriff, and Noah Pyzik as The Deputy.
Nnamdi Asomugha, Leslie Odom, Jr., Kerry Washington, and Kenny Leon
Vanessa Bell Calloway and Kerry Washington
Heather Alicia Simms and Kerry Washington
Nnamdi Asomugha, Leslie Odom,Jr., and Kerry Washington
Nnamdi Asomugha, Kerry Washington, and Kenny Leon
Kerry Washington, Irene Gandy, Nnamdi Asomugha, and Leslie Odom, Jr.
Kerry Washington and Noah Robbins
Kerry Washington and Noah Pyzik
Kerry Washington and Kara Young
Kerry Washington and Kara Young
Kenny Leon and Kerry Washington
Jay O. Sanders and Kerry Washington
Rounding out the company are understudies Donald Webber, Jr., Melvin Abston, Willa Bost, and Brandi Porter. Casting is by The Telsey Office.
READ: Leslie Odom, Jr. and Kara Young Continue the Story for Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee
The work follows a traveling preacher, Purlie, who returns to his Georgia hometown to save the local church and the cotton pickers working on Ol' Cap'n Cotchiepee's plantation. Davis both wrote and starred in the 1961 original Broadway production, appearing alongside his wife, Ruby Dee. Davis and Dee would go on to reprise their performances in a 1963 film adaptation titled Gone Are the Days! A musical adaptation premiered on Broadway in 1970, making Melba Moore a star (and a Tony winner) for her performance as Lutiebelle, singing the Gary Geld-Peter Udell score's most enduring hit, "I Got Love."
The production features scenic design by Derek McLane, costume design by Emilio Sosa, lighting design by Adam Honoré, sound design by Peter Fitzgerald, hair and wig and makeup design by J. Jared Janas, and original music by Guy Davis. Kamra A. Jacobs is production stage manager.
Along with Washington, Asomugha, and Odom Jr., the revival is produced by Jeffrey Richards, Hunter Arnold, Louise Gund, Bob Boyett, Willette and Manny Klausner, Salman Moudhy Al-Rashid, Creative Partners Productions, Glenn Davis, Irene Gandy, Kayla Greenspan, Ken Greiner, John Gore Organization, Patrick W. Jones, Kenny Leon, Van Kaplan, Nicolette Robinson, National Black Theatre, Alan Alda, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Samuel L. Jackson, and Phylicia Rashad.
Kara Young, Heather Alicia Simms, Leslie Odom, Jr., Vanessa Bell Calloway, Billy Eugene Jones, and Noah Robbins in Purlie Victorious
Leslie Odom, Jr. and Kara Young in Purlie Victorious
Leslie Odom, Jr. and Kara Young in Purlie Victorious
Jay O. Sanders, Billy Eugene Jones, Kara Young, and Leslie Odom, Jr. in Purlie Victorious
Noah Robbins and Vanessa Bell Calloway in Purlie Victorious
Kara Young in Purlie Victorious
Leslie Odom, Jr. in Purlie Victorious
Kara Young and Heather Alicia Simms in Purlie Victorious
Heather Alicia Simms and Billy Eugene Jones in Purlie Victorious
Leslie Odom, Jr. in Purlie Victorious
Cast of Purlie Victorious
