Alan Alda Visits Broadway's “Purlie Victorious” Revival, 62 Years After Starring in the Original (Exclusive Details)
Alda, who took part in the debut production of Ossie Davis' 1961 play, attended a performance of its modern-day revitalization
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Leslie Odom Jr. (left) and Alan Alda photographed backstage at 'Purlie Victorious' on Oct. 3, 2023The cast of the Broadway revival of Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch had quite a treat when they were graced with a rare appearance from one of the stars who helped bring the show’s original production to life: Alan Alda.
PEOPLE has exclusive details on Alda’s appearance at the Music Box Theatre in New York City on Tuesday. The 87-year-old actor — who was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2015 — is part of the new production's producing team alongside a bevy of famous names including Samuel L. Jackson, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Phylicia Rashad, Kerry Washington and Tony winner Leslie Odom, Jr., who leads the production as Purlie, and his wife, actress Nicolette Robinson.
The comedy, penned by Ossie Davis, tells the story of Reverend Purlie Victorious Judson, a charismatic traveling clergyman who returns to segregated Georgia with a scheme to save his rural hometown church and his inheritance. In addition to Alda, the original production also starred Davis as Purlie as well as his wife, Emmy and Grammy winner Ruby Dee.
Related: Alan Alda Reflects on 'M*A*S*H' 's 50th Anniversary — and Its Legacy
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Heather Alicia Simms (left), Kara Young, Alan Alda and Vanessa Bell Calloway photographed backstage at 'Purlie Victorious' on Oct. 3, 2023Davis and Dee's spirit was sensed by Alda on Tuesday night, he told the cast backstage after taking in the performance with his longtime wife, Arlene.
"He was emotional," an onlooker tells PEOPLE. "He was sharing a few stories to them from his time in the original production, and told Leslie and [actress Kara Young] that they were so committed to the play, he could feel Ossie and Ruby there in a huge presence."
Pictures captured the star smiling as he enthusiastically posed for selfies and embraced them. "The cast was thrilled," the source says. "He told them how important the play was, especially now in this world, said he was going to bring family back. His wife was taking cell phone video on her phone, too, which was cute."
Bruce Glikas/WireImage
Noah Robbins (left) and Alan Alda photographed backstage at 'Purlie Victorious'Related: Constance Wu Says Doing 'Little Shop of Horrors' Off-Broadway Feels 'Like Coming Home' (Exclusive)
Noah Robbins — who plays plantation owner son Charlie Cotchipee in the revival, the role Alda originated — told PEOPLE about his experience finally meeting the veteran actor. Prior to Tuesday, Robbins and Alda had only spoken on the phone, but that changed after the latter’s surprise appearance.
“Having anything in common with Alan Alda is an honor. Having this role, in this show, in common with him is a gift beyond words,” Robbins said about talking with Alda in-person. “He’s an absolute treasure, and meeting and conversing with him was a highlight of my life.”
Marc J. Franklin
Leslie Odom, Jr. and Kara Young in 'Purlie Victorious'Purlie Victorious opened to rave reviews on Sept. 27. The production, directed by Kenny Leon, marks the return of Odom, Jr. to Broadway, seven years after his Tony-winning performance in Hamilton.
When the original production began in 1961, Purlie Victorious was praised as being groundbreaking for its satire on racism in America and drew the attention of famous faces and politicians at the time, who flooded to the theatre to see it. The play ended up being nominated for one Tony Award in the category best featured actor in a play thanks to Alda's costar Godfrey Cambridge’s work.
To mark the show’s 100th performance, famed civil rights activist Martin Luther King, Jr. attended and celebrated with performers.
Thomas E. Poag
Martin Luther King, Jr. (center). with the cast of 'Purlie Victorious' in 1962Today’s revitalization of Purlie Victorious is notable for the fact that it’s the first time that the original show has been performed since the it closed in 1962 after 261 performances. A filmed version of the play, re-titled Gone Are the Days!, was released in 1963 and tapped many of the debut cast members, including Alda.
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In 1970, Purlie Victorious was turned into a musical titled Purlie, but had little involvement from Davis. Purlie was generally well-received despite this, garnering nominations for five Tony Awards including best musical.
Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch is now open at the Music Box Theatre. For tickets and more information, visit purlievictorious.com.
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