Gay of A Certain Age - Purple Balls?

IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW STUFF ABOUT THE SHOW CUZ YOU AIN'T SEEN IT, DON'T READ THIS.  SKIP DOWN TO THE SPOILER -FREE MINI REVIEW.

Of all the shows I saw this past weekend, THE COLOR PURPLE touched me most.  My eyes were moist at several points in the show.  I think the part that had my cheeks most wet was close to the end, when Celie sings I'M HERE.  This song comes at a point when aging Celie realizes that she has all she needs, even without a lover next to her.  I couldn't help but sit there listening to the song wondering if that's going to be me.  These lyrics hit home:

Got my house

It still keeps the cold out

Got my chair

When my body can't hold out

Got my hands doin things like they s'post to

Showing my heart to the folks that I'm close to

I got my eyes though they don't see as far now

They see more 'bout how things really are now

I'm gonna take a deep breath

I'm gonna hold my head up

Gonna put my shoulders back

And look you straight in the eye

I'm gonna flirt with somebody

When they walk by

I'm gonna sing out

I believe I have inside of me

Everything that I need to live a bountiful life

With all the love inside of me

I'll stand as tall as the tallest tree

And I'm thankful for each day that I'm given

Both the easy and the hard ones I'm livin'

But most of all

Yes I'm thankful for lovin' who I really am

I'm beautiful

Yes I'm beautiful

And I'm here.

As a Gay of A Certain Age, I suppose that there are fewer things more rewarding that realizing your beauty and strength to love yourself.

SPOILER FREE REVIEW

WOW!!! I came for the Hudson, but left enraptured by Erivo!

First, I thought I was going to continue my growing frustration with John Doyle's direction, but this streamlined version flows scene to scene beautifully. The cast is very strong. Jennifer Hudson sounds great and delivers a great Shug Avery, but Cynthia Erivo, as Celie, grows from unassuming, quiet girl to powerhouse grand dame who deservedly received a standing ovation after her song "I'm Here". This production moved me very much. My favorite this visit.