On The Scene: Next-level magic is coming to Broadway; ‘Purlie Victorious’ making a comeback
There are Broadway shows that have been called magical, but Broadway is about to get some next-level magic. And a play not seen on Broadway in some 60 years is coming back.
Aug 10, 2023, 9:59 AM
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‘Purlie Victorious’ returning to Broadway
Leslie Odom, Jr. won the Tony Award for playing Aaron Burr in "Hamilton” - now he's returning to Broadway. He is starring in the title role in the satirical "Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp through the Cotton Patch." It was originally performed on Broadway in the early 1960s and is written by Ossie Davis who starred in it alongside his wife, Ruby Dee.
News 12’s John Bathke spoke with several cast members of this first ever revival of the play that is set in the south in the time of segregation. A traveling preacher returns to his small town and shakes up the residents as he tries to take control of the local church.
Odom says he has never done Broadway before.
“I've never professionally spoken the words of a Black author on a stage. There's that milestone. There's the play of it all milestone. The fact that the last cast that did this play was the original cast in 1962,” he said.
"Purlie Victorious" begins previews on Sept. 7.
Illusionist El Mago Pop coming to Broadway
Also, the magic of Broadway will take on a new meaning soon when the illusionist El Mago Pop, Antonio Diaz, begins performances.
Diaz is from Spain and very popular there, but he has never performed on Broadway before. He says the show features illusions with music and rhythm being important parts of the performance. He told me that his fascination with magic goes all the way back to his early childhood.
"El Mago Pop" has a very limited engagement from Aug. 17-27 at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre in New York City.
