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Gulf Coast Life: Arts Edition

Laboratory Theatre of Florida Kicks of 13th Season with “The Color Purple”

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Back row (L-R) Robert Barner (Mister), Cadrick Smith (Harpo). Front row (L-R) Julissa Jean-Bart (Nettie), Ruthgena Augustin (Celie), Cantrella Canady (Sofia)
Courtesy of Laboratory Theatre of Florida

The Laboratory Theater of Florida begins its 13th season with the Southwest Florida premiere of the multi-Tony award-winning musical, “The Color Purple,” based on the Pulitzer prize-winning and National Book Award-winning novel by author Alice Walker.

The story follows the life and plight of a poor, uneducated African American woman in the American South in the early to mid-20th century. It’s a story of trauma, betrayal, racism, and abuse, but also of endurance, resilience, faith, self-discovery and redemption. We’ll explore the production with Director Sonya McCarter and Lab Theatre Founding Artistic Director Annette Trossbach.