Virginia Repertory Theatre's production of The Color Purple , a musical directed by Chase Kniffen and based on Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, stars Washington, D.C. -based actor Felicia Curry (top) as Celie. Living in rural Georgia during the early 1900s, she has two children by age 14 and is victimized by the men in her life. A female friend gives Celie the strength to find God in herself. More spiritual than religious, the play is "about finding what faith means to you, finding what God means to you," Kniffen says. The cast of 30 includes Richmond stage veteran Desiree Roots Centeio (above right) and VCU graduate Jerold Solomon (above, center). Richmonder Carolyn Minor-Daughtry (above left), who plays Shug Avery, won the role through a public audition. June 19 to Aug. 3. Sara Belle and Neil November Theatre. $36 to $60. 282-2620 or va-rep.org.
