There’s nothing more powerful than a sister’s love.

And there’s nothing more spectacular than a tour de force collaboration that brings a powerful story to Buffalo’s theatre season.

Those two elements make The Color Purple, now onstage at Shea’s 710 Theatre, something very special. Ujima Company, Second Generation Theatre, and Shea’s 710 Theatre mounted this extraordinary production with “100% Buffalo talent,” director Sarah Norat Phillips proudly said on opening night.

The play is based on Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize winning novel which was later made into a film in 1982 and 1985 respectively. It became a play in 2004 with a book by Marsha Norman music and lyrics by Brenda Russell (Grammy award winner for “Piano in the Dark” in 1988), Allee Willis, and Stephen Bray.

It’s the story of sisters Celie and Nettie who live with their abusive father in Georgia in early in the 20^th century. The father gives eldest daughter Celie (still a young teen who bore her daddy two more children as a result of rape) to widower Mister to be his wife where she continues to be abused on every level you can imagine. Nettie tries to stay on track to become a teacher and takes shelter with a pastor’s family after attempted abuse from her father and brother in law. The sisters promise each other to always find a way to stay in touch, even if separated. Through grief and pain and unbelievable sadness, this is indeed a story – spanning 40 years – filled with faith and hope.

Phillips’ pride in our local talent is obvious. Every element of this production is breathtaking. Chris Cavanagh’s scenic design is elegant in its simplicity, augmented by his wisely used videos softened and brightened by Simean Carpenter’s lighting design. Naila Ansari’s choreography captures a world of dance from jive to traditional African. Under Karen Saxon’s musical direction, her four-piece ensemble plays this gorgeous score with heart and soul. All this goodness supports a cast that tells this story with exquisite finesse. Gabriella McKinley will break your heart and mend it again as Celie. Her second act reprisal of “What About Love” is a triumph. Jetaun Louis is Shug Avery, Mister’s mistress, a singer who flashes into town every now and again and guides Celie to find her self-worth. Her “Too Beautiful for Words” will make you believe. There’s a Greek Chorus of sorts with the Church Ladies (Latosha Jennings, Danielle N. Green, and Tammy Wilder) who provide that loveable busybody context when they opine in song. George L. Brown is a perfectly contemptible Mister with Brian Brown as his son Harpo who marries the bold and brash Sophia (Curtis Lovell). Her “Hell No!” affirmation should be every woman’s goal.

There’s a lot to this story and this large cast does it all justice and then some. The producing partners did more than create a stunning evening in the theatre: they assembled community around the powerful layers of this story. There’s a content warning in the printed program that directs anyone who is or has lived in an abusive situation to reach out to the Family Justice Center of Erie County. There were also resources in the theatre lobby for anyone in need The team also collaborated with the Girl Scouts of WNY to create an enrichment program that introduces them to the creative process. Because supporting each other and caring for one another is what sisters do.

The Color Purple is powerful, joyful, and a testimony to the resiliency of the human spirit. Thank you to this producing trio for creating a dynamic opportunity for its cast and audience: it’s what we all need. The Color Purple is onstage to October 1: get your tickets at www.sheas.org.

Photo by S. Gabris