Felicia P. Fields is a thief!
In Oprah Winfrey Presents "The Color Purple" — the musical adaptation of Alice Walker's 1982 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel and the 1985 film of the same name — Fields steals every scene she enters as the feisty, independent, take-no-stuff Sofia.
The production, which is scheduled to play at the Pantages Theater in Hollywood through Feb. 28, is the story of several women, most notably Celie, played by the talented former "American Idol" Fantasia Barrino. The women, who have suffered at the hands of men in some way, shape or form, are all trying to renew their spirits and find themselves.
Celie's issue is the focus of the play. Sold into marriage at 14 to an older, abusive man named Mister — after giving birth to two children by a man she believes to be her father — Celie's self-esteem has taken a massive blow.
Sofia, on the other hand, has no problem with self-esteem. She's a ball of fire who speaks her mind and dares anyone, including her man, Harpo, to try to tame her.
Fields' performance as Sofia is so soulful and uplifting that she dominates the show. She has been playing the role for so long (in a 2003 workshop and the stage production since 2005) that she's both herself and Sofia.
Fields, who hails from Chicago and has two children, is fierce, but when it comes to hers and the show's success the last five years, she has a relaxed attitude.
In an interview, Fields, who earned a Tony Award nomination for her portrayal of Sofia on Broadway, talked about her role and the importance of "The Color Purple."
LAWT: How do you describe the show?
FPF: It's a story about life. There is not a person in that show that you won't be able to identify with at this point. It's a story about resilience. It's about people helping people. At the end, you know things are going to be OK and that it's possible to come out on the other side.
LAWT: You've been playing Sofia for a long time.
FPF: I started dealing with this show in August 2003. It was the first workshop. Then I did my first performance at the Alliance Theatre. We then opened in December 2005 and stayed on Broadway for two years. The national tour started in Chicago and lasted six months.
LAWT: What is it about "The Color Purple?"
FPF: It's a life-altering experience for the audience and me and people in the show. It's a story that lends itself to helping people get over their fears of different things, like incest and homophobic attitudes. It's a message of lineage. Mister's behavior he got from his father and then passed it on to his son. People can identify with the characters that are there, and can recognize themselves or someone they know. It's a story that hits home. I don't care if you're black, white or Asian — there are characters you know. You can have a girlfriend that's in an abusive relationship. Some have low self-esteem because they were raped. This show speaks to all of that.
LAWT: What is it about Sofia?
FPF: She represents the female strength, an opinion. Sticking to your guns. She is who she is. And she is who she is with whomever she encounters. You either like her or you don't.
LAWT: Are you like her in any way?
FPF: A whole lot like her. In the show, when I say, 'If a man raises his hand, he'll know,' I mean it. I hope every night when I sing that, I hope they get the message. It's an opportunity to help somebody every night. I want women to know your beauty is not from the outside; it's from within.
LAWT: You've done the role so long. How do you keep it fresh?
FPF: Live theater necessitates that you're in the moment from day to day. Different energy every night. You're constantly giving life to the character. There's always a different way to present her.
LAWT: How did you go about developing your own Sofia — so that it wasn't an Oprah rehash?
FPF: It's very difficult to go from a movie to live theater and be compared to Oprah. She did the role through her direction with (Steven) Spielberg. Gary Griffin (the director of the play) was my collaborator. Also, when you get an opportunity to do a workshop, you can establish what you feel. Then the people who make decisions begin to learn who you are and you begin to seep into the character.
LAWT: What did you think the first time you saw the movie?
FPF: I identified with that character. She may be a little more overt than I am. I probably wouldn't have hit a mayor. I may have walked away. She (Sofia) represents self-confidence. She's not afraid to express her opinion.
LAWT: How do audiences across the country differ, if at all, in their response to the show?
FPF: The South is always with you. They like to make noise and be a part of the show. The North, with Caucasians, is more reserved. At the end, they are listeners. I find in places like L.A. and New York, they are much more critical. When you're in the South, they embrace. (The) North is intrigued, but still enjoy. In L.A., it's more judgmental. It's a place where they do art.
LAWT: What is it about the theater that you love?
FPF: I love it because you can come in one way and leave transformed. Something has changed your life. It's like going to church — there is something in the Word that says, 'Hey, I can make it another week. Now I have more fuel.'
LAWT: Do you ever get to go to the theater and be an audience member?
FPF: Occasionally, I go to the theater if it's something I really want to see. I went to see 'The Princess and the Frog.' I loved 'Caroline, or Change.'
LAWT: Did you ever think about being something other than an actress in the theater?
FPF: I wanted to be a teacher. I hadn't really focused in on what kind, either language arts teacher or music theater. I was directing a choir at the Antioch (Church) in (the) Englewood area of Chicago. A couple came in and needed me to do some demo work in a makeshift studio. Someone heard me and suggested I audition at Marriott Lincoln. I got the part playing Auntie Em and Glenda. This was in 1987. From there, I took classes to sharpen my skills.
LAWT: Do you ever get a chance to play other roles in other shows?
FPF: This takes all my time. I'm an advocate for being true to my job. If I go on an audition, and I get the job and they need me to leave, it won't happen. I don't get a chance to do too many other things. There is a lot of motivational work to do in this show.
Showtime information for Oprah Winfrey Presents "The Color Purple:" Pantages Theater, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 8 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday, through Feb. 28.
Tickets: $25 to $85.
For more information, call (800) 982-2787 or visit www.BroadwayLA.org.
Darlene Donloe is a writer for the L.A. Watts Times.
Photo of "The Color Purple" from www.BroadwayLA.org.
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