Purlie

Playhouse Artistic Director Sheldon Epps directs the award-winning musical Purlie, which celebrated actor, director, playwright and civil rights activist Ossie Davis, adapted from his 1961 satirical play on racial relations–Purlie Victorious.

The revival combines gospel, rhythm and blues, and the best of Broadway with music by Gary Geld, lyrics by Peter Udell, choreography by Ken Roberson and written by Davis, Udell, Philip Rose. The musical tells the story of Cap’n Cothcipee, who owned everyone in a town where slavery and racism were prevalent. A young, idealistic preacher named Purlie Victorious decides to bring freedom to the townsfolk by inventing an elaborate, ingenious and hilarious scheme to reclaim the people’s rights.

Wednesday Matinee performance July 20 at 2 p.m.