Purlie

NEW McCREE THEATRE (Flint) & MILLENNIUM CENTRE, 2009

The hit Broadway Ossie Davis play, “Purlie Victorious,” was adapted into a musical in the 1970’s and became a hit sequel to the original comedy. The New McCree Theatre in Flint, Michigan, hired Buku Productions’ Artistic Director, Reuben Yabuku, to commute North to direct the classic musical production of “Purlie,” for their patrons and with their area performers. The result was so explosive that Reuben decided to partner the New McCree Theatre and Buku Productions Theatre Company to co-produce this show for Buku’s Detroit area patrons.

Purlie on Fox 2 TV Morning Show

Purlie on Plane Ideas Cable Show

The Flint audiences packed into the New McCree Theatre to see this funny and highly entertaining musical. The sold-out crowds were extremely energized and excited by the superb cast of performers and the singing by all eight lead singers (Johnnie Person, Jon’Tise Samuels, Gwen Hemphill, Tezell Morris, Cliff Thurlow, Billie Scott-Lindo, Travis Thurlow, and Terence Grundy), the background vocal support by a marvelous trio of pit singers and an outstanding live band led by Music Director, Richard Battle.