‘Purlie Victorious’ Theater Review: Leslie Odom Jr. Shines In Thrilling Comedy Revival

Ossie Davis’ play Purlie Victorious premiered on Broadway as a drama in 1961 when the vestiges of America’s Jim Crow caste system were still alive and well in the South. Even with 60-plus years of distance, it’s hard to believe how resonant the play is today with the hilarious Broadway revival that premiered last week at the Music Box Theatre.

Leslie Odom Jr. stars in the title role as a smooth-talking Georgia preacher trying to get a $500 inheritance left by his Aunt Henrietta from Ol’ Cap’n (Jay O. Sanders). Purlie comes up with a crackpot scheme to hire Lutiebelle Gussie Mae Jenkins (Kara Young) to pose as Henrietta’s daughter, Cousin Bee, to get the money from Ol’ Cap’n. Purlie wants the funds to buy Big Bethel church, where his dad once preached. High jinx ensue – but amid all the slapstick comedy, a much more profound story is told of the struggle of the black race against the white oppression in the South.

It’s a tale that’s well worth retelling and, sadly, one that never gets old.

Get tickets now for Purlie Victorious at the Music Box Theater (239 West 45th Street, New York, New York).