The Color Purple

What: Pike High School to become first high school in the state to present The Color Purple
When: November 22 -24
Where: The Pike Performing Arts Center
Tickets: $10 for adults, $5 for children 12 & under

This month, Pike High School will become the first school in Indiana to present the Tony Award winning musical The Color Purple. The production, adapted from the movie and based upon the Pulitzer Prize winning novel by Alice Walker, will be presented at the Pike Performing Arts Center on Friday, November 22 and Saturday, November 23, at 7:00 p.m., and at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 24.

Although The Color Purple is a complicated show that deals with difficult subject matter that is alternately heart wrenching and heartwarming, the cast has enthusiastically embraced the challenge. Pike High School junior Akili McDuffey, who plays Ceilie explains, “At its core, The Color Purple inspires. It teaches. It portrays growth and acceptance of oneself. It shows the true meaning and importance of love, and I think that’s something everyone can relate to.”

The cast has had a team of experts to guide and support them throughout the process, which has at times included six grueling rehearsals a week. Among this A-Team of experts were local dancers and choreographers Nicholas A. Owens and Tawj Monroe. This will be the first show for the duo, who invested countless hours in developing the caliber of choreography that you would expect to see in a professional production, and teaching it to a cast comprised of several members who have never danced, or performed before. Instead of lowering their expectations, or compromising the quality of the choreography to compensate for this lack of experience, Owens and Monroe have refused to accept excuses, and pushed the students to move beyond their comfort and skill levels.

This same drive to encourage cast members to perform at the highest possible level was shared by vocal directors Tammy Anderson and Matthew Konrad Tippel, pit director Grady Emmert, percussionist Nick Hargrove, and set designers Kyle and Katie Bredehoeft.

The show’s director, Karin Stratton explains this emphasis on excellence sharing, “Because this show, and the book and the movie that it is based on means so much to so many people, we feel an enormous sense of responsibility that is only compounded by the fact that we are the first high school in the state to do this show. From the beginning, I knew that we weren’t going to do this unless we could do it well.”

This show represents another chapter in Pike’s proud history of tackling difficult shows with controversial themes. When the curtain rises on November 22, and the cast brings to life the beauty of Celie’s journey to be the lovable person God created, cast members from Pike High School junior Daniel Ross Owen Robinson, who plays Ceilie’s abusive husband, Mister, to 6 year old Shalon Robinson, who plays her son, Adam, hope you will be there to see it.

Pike High School’s past productions have included Fences and Children of Eden. Later this year they will present Living Green and Stand and Deliver.

For the first time ever, prior to each show audience members will have the opportunity to enjoy a Soulful Meal for $10; however, reservations are limited and reservations must be made in advance. Friday and Saturday’s dinner will begin at 5:30pm and Sunday’s dinner will begin at 2:00pm. The dinner will be held at Pike High School. Show tickets and dinner reservations may be purchased online at www.pikepac.org. Show tickets may also be purchased at the door.

Please note, due to the show’s subject matter parental discretion is advised.