Directed by Lili-Anne Brown
Based on the Novel by Alice Walker and the Warner Bros./Amblin Entertainment Motion Picture
Book by Marsha Norman
Music and Lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray
“Filled with outstanding performances and heavenly gospel voices.”
–Chicago Sun-Times
Jun 21 – Aug 3, 2025 in Goodman's Albert Theatre
Around 2 hours and 50 minutes, including one 15-minute intermission
Extended by Popular Demand THROUGH AUGUST 3!
Twenty years since its Broadway musical debut, The Color Purple is reborn in Lili-Anne Brown’s revelatory production—“perfection on every level!” (Chicago Sun-Times).
It’s a celebration of life, hope and the healing power of love! The musical stage adaptation of Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize- and National Book Award-winning novel is a heart-rending, yet ultimately joyous, story of a young woman’s perilous journey of personal awakening in the American South. Come ready to shout in church, stomp at the juke joint, laugh and cry with unforgettable “come-to-glory gospel hymns, down-and-dirty bump-and-grinds, jazz that stutters, dips and dives, and gorgeous alto arias” (Chicago Sun-Times).
This production contains mature themes including domestic abuse, violence, incest and strong language. There is brief nudity and parental discretion is advised. For a detailed breakdown of The Color Purple’s content warnings, including timing of where they appear in the show, email access@goodmantheatre.org. We also have brief show summaries available through that email address. Please allow up to three business days for a response. Hard copies of the expanded content guide and show summaries are also available at our front desk.
“⭐⭐⭐⭐(OUT OF 4).”
Chicago Sun-Times
“THE ENTIRE ENSEMBLE IS PHENOMENAL.”
Chicago Sun-Times
“FILLED WITH STELLAR SINGING.” BRITTNEY MACK GIVES A “RICH AND EMPATHETIC PERFORMANCE.”
Chicago Tribune
“MAGNIFICENT! A PRODUCTION THAT BLOWS YOU AWAY!”
WGNRadio.com
“JOYOUS, DEFIANT, FULL-THROATED, AND FULL-HEARTED.”
Chicago Reader
“BRITTNEY MACK IS TREMENDOUS IN THE LEAD ROLE. SHE’S A WONDER TO BEHOLD.”
BroadwayWorld
“PHENOMENAL…I GOT CHILLS, AND I CRIED TWICE.”
Entertaining Chicago
“DIRECTED WITH PROFOUND SENSITIVITY AND FLAIR BY LILI-ANNE BROWN.”
Splash Magazine
“THE BEAUTIFUL ODE TO HUMANITY SURPASSES ALMOST EVERY PRIOR PRODUCTION.”
Chicago Theatre Review
“WE WERE BLOWN AWAY BY THE STORY, THE CAST, THE MUSIC, THE CHOREOGRAPHY, THE STAGING, AND THE LIGHTING. THIS IS PERHAPS THE MOST EMOTIONALLY MOVING MUSICAL WE’VE EXPERIENCED AT THE GOODMAN. DON’T MISS IT!.”
Kevin K. via Facebook
“MY HEART IS FULL. I’VE READ THE BOOK FIVE TIMES, WATCH THE MOVIE ANNUALLY AND ADORED THE MUSICAL FILM. THIS PLAY GAVE ME AN EMOTIONAL BOOST. SO GRATEFUL I GIFTED MYSELF A TICKET TO SEE IT.”
Erica W. via Email
“I LAUGHED, I CRIED AND LEFT THE THEATER FULL AND INSPIRED! LOVED IT!”
Stan M. via Facebook
“I READ THE BOOK AND SAW THE FIRST MOVIE. IT SURPASSED MY EXPECTATIONS.”
Barbara C. via Email
“THE COLOR PURPLE AT GOODMAN THEATRE WAS EVERYTHING! SOUL-HEALING, POWERFUL, AND IT HIT DIFFERENT. A CHICAGO MUST-SEE!”
@LiveToWynn via Twitter
“DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND GO SEE THIS SHOW!! THEY GAVE EVERYTHING AND THEN SOME!!!”
@tinabuttafly via Instagram
Choose someone to see their bio and past Goodman productions.
Pre-show programming, unique performances, and related programming.
Questions? Please contact (312) 443-3800 for voice or (312) 443-3829 for TTY/TDD, or email Access@GoodmanTheatre.org. Visit our Accessibility Overview page for full details.
American Sign Language-Interpreted Performance
Friday, July 18 at 7:30pm
Use code SIGN for $38 tickets ($30 ticket plus $8 service fee).
Touch Tour and Audio-Described Performance
Saturday, July 12
12:30pm Touch Tour & 2:00pm Performance
Use code AUDIO for $38 tickets ($30 ticket plus $8 service fee).
Spanish Subtitles Performance
Saturday, July 12 at 7:30pm
Use code SPANISH for $38 tickets ($30 ticket plus $8 service fee).
Open-Captioned Performance
Sunday, July 13 at 2:00pm
Use code OPEN for $38 tickets ($30 ticket plus $8 service fee).
From heartfelt, critically acclaimed dramas to award-winning narratives of exploration, our 24/25 Season is your place for great theater.
