When Milledgeville native, and Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) activist, Andre Williams, planned for this year’s awareness month activities he aspired to bring something that the Milledgeville community may not have seen before. He’s hoping to accomplish that this year, using his love for music and theatre.
Williams along with Royalty Luv Creations Inc. and AAK Entertainment are teaming up to present a stage play adaptation of The Color Purple. Co-Director, Kenneth Jones, hopes that along with more people learning about SJS, that audience members take away a sense of love from the play.
“At the end of the day I want the audience to see love,” said Jones. “It starts with Andre giving back. It’s out of love. In this show, love is broken down to forgiveness and to passion.”
Jones along with fellow co-director Lanita King, are not new to the stage, or this play.
“We had done this one time before,” said King. “Theatre Macon brought it to Macon, and we only were able to do a two-weekend run. We fell in love with it.”
According to King, when Williams approached her with the idea of revamping the show, they were excited and thrilled to see the play come back to life.
The play serves not only as a fundraiser but as a way for the community to see talented actors and actresses.
“We are bringing it to Milledgeville, so the community can see these amazing talents,” said Williams. “We want people to come out because some of the proceeds will be donated to the burn center.”
Williams thanks Jones and King for their amazing contribution not only to the production, but to the awareness month.
“This is a production with a purpose,” said King. “They (the audience) may have seen the movie; some may know the book, but I can guarantee they have never seen anything like the play.”
King shares that this play is a can’t miss for musical lovers.
“When we go through this process we get taken away,” said King. “This is an experience, it is not musical, because it is spiritual.”
The cast includes several powerhouse singers, Including Milledgeville native Ontario Williams as Pa. The play also includes music and lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray.
Theater lovers can catch the show August 14, at 7:30 p.m. and August 15, at 2:30 p.m. Both shows will be held at the Baldwin High School Fine Arts Center. General Admissions to the show are $25 and tickets can be purchased by calling 478-245-8585 or by visiting ladykrlcinc. booktix.com.