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 launched the careers of Melba Moore, Sherman Hemsley and Cleavon Little.

Directed by: Kenny Ingram

Musical Direction by: Gary Mitchell, Jr.

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

meet the cast!

directed by: Kenny Ingram

musical direction by: gary mitchell, jr.

Musical Director Gary Mitchell, Jr., regularly collaborates with renowned singers, instrumentalists, artists, and ensembles throughout the world.  He has been featured at Carnegie Hall, The Apollo Theatre, Lincoln Center, The Harlem Opera Festival, The United Nations, Teatro alla Scala, Dance Theater of Harlem, 54 Below, Cape Playhouse, New London Playhouse, Syracuse Stage, and Barrington Stage Theatre with select performances in Spain, Italy, Germany, Japan, Copenhagen, and Australia.. He has also collaborated and performed with The New York Historical Society, Broadway Inspirational Voices, PBS, MTV, VH1, and is currently Director of Music and Arts Administration at First AME Church: Bethel-Harlem.