The Color Purple

Last night, my bride, our two close friends, and I went to the latest in the Broadway series of musicals that my friend Larry brings to town each year. We have been season ticket holders for many years. The show, based on the book, The color purple, was also a movie some years back, and starred Whoopie Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey, and Danny Glover. Those who saw the movie, like my wife and I had, would be curious as to how such a sad, poignant, and difficult tale could possibly be made into a musical. After all it has some story themes involving incest, abused women, lesbians, loose morals, and more.

Yet this play, it's music, and the story ended up being rather uplifting in the end. Much more so than the movie was. At least as far as I was concerned. There were moments of horror, and moments of laughter. Joy and disbelief. The voices of the leads were simply astounding as they sang plaintive songs about misery and hope. It was indeed an experience I am still thinking about this morning.

I have always loved musicals. My all-time favorite remains The Phantom of the Opera, which I have seen 5 times. The first time I saw it, I had the unbelievable good luck of seeing Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman, who originated the roles of the Phantom and Christine, perform. It was during a General Manager's meeting for a company that I previously worked for. I was so taken with the music, I stopped and bought its CD, and brought it home for my family to listen to. They soon became fans of its music, and when Phantom was announced as appearing in Dallas, I bought tickets for my wife and I to go see it - driving some 4 1/2 hours each way, spending the night in a hotel, etc. She, too, fell in love with every aspect of the play.

Years later, my friend brought Phantom to Tulsa, and I arranged an evening to take our top clients to it, along with our sales department staffers, and significant others. It was a highlight of our year. Additionally, of course, my children were all able to see it.

Tragedy seems to fuel many of Broadway's top musicals. Annie, set in the Depression, is another following this theme. Yet, from misery comes such beauty.

Old Fart Mike