PURLIE

By: Ossie Davis, Philip Rose, and Peter Udell
Lyrics by: Peter Udell
Music by: Gary Geld
Based on the Play “Purlie Victorious”
by Ossie davis

March 6-23rd, 2025

Hamilton Stage, Rahway, NJ

Purlie is the rousing 1970 musical adaptation of Ossie Davis's comedic play Purlie Victorious about a traveling preacher who returns to his hometown in Georgia and concocts a scheme to reclaim his church and ring the bell of freedom for plantation workers.  Nominated for five Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Direction and Best Choreography, the original Broadway production received Tony Awards for Best Performance by a Leading Actor (Cleavon Little as Purlie) and Best Performance by a Featured Actress (Melba Moore as Lutiebelle).

Purlie is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals (www.concordtheatricals.com) and sponsored in part by Merck.