The Color Purple: The Musical
Clark Nesbitt’s No Dreams Deferred brings Tony Award-winning musical adaptation of Alice Walker’s classic to Simpsonville
(As featured in the City of Simpsonville E-newsletter: Spring 2025 edition)
Simpsonville, S.C. — Two years after the movie adaptation of The Color Purple: The Musical starring Simpsonville native Danielle Brooks hit theaters, the musical itself is coming to the Simpsonville Arts Center by way of Clark Nesbitt’s No Dreams Deferred Productions.
On June 13 and June 14 at 7 p.m. and June 15 at 4 p.m., No Dreams Deferred will perform on the Arts Center stage The Color Purple: The Musical, which won a Tony Award for Best Musical Revival in 2016 and a Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album in 2017. Based on Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel and the Academy Award-nominated motion picture, The Color Purple: The Musical is a powerful story of resilience and self-discovery, following Celie as she overcomes abuse and hardship in the early 1900s American South. With a soaring score of gospel, jazz and blues, the musical celebrates hope, healing and the strength of the human spirit.
Nesbitt, the director, said the story of The Color Purple is about love.
“More importantly, it’s about the love that countless Black women have shared and given throughout their lives; Black women who have survived against all odds and did it with grace and determination.”
As a native of the South, Nesbitt grew up knowing women (and men) whom he saw every day in church, school, the community and his home and who have stories very similar to those of the characters in The Color Purple. The themes that emerge from the musical are themes that Nesbitt saw in actual people: tradition, culture, strength and resiliency.
“My parents and my grandparents were of this era,” Nesbitt explained. “So, I guess my approach is to tell the story of the people I knew and know, my people. Through their eyes, I’ve lived this story vicariously. Having this knowledge allows me to share firsthand experiences and other stories that must be told. Telling the stories of my people is a passion for me.”
Nesbitt has led No Dreams Deferred in several productions since making the Arts Center their main stage in 2023, including God’s Trombones, Crowns: The Musical and A Raisin in the Sun. This upcoming production of The Color Purple: The Musical in June continues the trend of telling the stories of Black Americans, stories with both themes that are specific to the experiences of people of color and themes that are universal.
“Having No Dreams Deferred as a part of Simpsonville means that the community has access to quality affordable theater and a thriving arts scene,” Nesbitt said. “What better production or story illustrates that than The Color Purple, a staple of American literature but also the American and human experience.”
For members of the public who have never seen A No Dreams Deferred Production or are even unfamiliar with The Color Purple: The Musical, they can expect to see “some of the best talent in the Upstate,” Nesbitt proudly said. Represented towns and cities are Anderson, Belton, Greenville, Greer, Spartanburg and of course Simpsonville.
“You’ll cry, you’ll sing, but best of all, you’ll leave feeling uplifted and filled with love!” Nesbitt said. “Afterall, it’s The Color Purple.”
Indeed it is, Mr. Nesbitt. Visit nodreamsdeferred.ludus.com for tickets and more information about Nesbitt’s theater group.
