Purlie Victorious

Purlie Victorious (1961), a comedy by Ossie Davis. [ Cort Theatre, 261 perf.] Purlie Victorious Judson (Davis), an exuberant young African‐American preacher, returns to his small Georgia hometown, hoping to acquire Big Bethel Church and convert it into an integrated house of worship. His plans are opposed by the hidebound, unreconstructed Ol' Cap'n Cotchipee (Sorrell Brooke) who resents all modern innovations, such as colleges that teach students to pronounce “nigger” as if it were spelled “negro,” as well as the political leanings of his son, Charley (Alan Alda), who is “too friendly to the Supreme Court.” But Purlie's middle name was not Victorious for nothing. A delightfully funny comedy, it turned many stereotypes inside out and upside down. Davis contributed to the book of the musical version called PURLIE (1970), which featured Cleavon Little as Purlie, John Hefferman as the Cap'n, and Melba Moore as Purlie's love interest, Lutiebelle. Gary Geld (music) and Peter Udell (lyrics) wrote the vivacious score, and producer Philip Rose staged the musical like a swinging revival meeting. It ran 688 performances in the Broadway Theatre. Notable songs: Walk Him up the Stairs; I Got Love; First Thing Monday Mornin'; New Fangled Preacher Man.