The Color Purple: The Musical About Love is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker and Oscar-nominated film by Steven Spielberg. Filled with several undertones and storylines, it is the unforgettable and inspiring story of a woman named Celie, who finds the strength to triumph over adversity and discovers her unique voice in the world. With a joyous Grammy-nominated score featuring gospel, jazz, pop and the blues, The Color Purple is about a life journey filled with hope and the healing power of love. Angela Robinson, plays the role of the strong blues singer Shug Avery, who helps Celie discover herself. While on the road with the national tour, Robinson took a moment to discuss with the Gay & Lesbian Times the impact the production has on the lives of those who have witnessed “the musical about love.”

Gay & Lesbian Times: Just mention The Color Purple and people’s faces light up. What is it about this amazing masterpiece that resounds with those who are familiar with the storyline?

Angela Robinson: It is the unforgettable and inspiring story of a woman who triumphs over very tremendous odds to find joy in life, and she discovers her true inner beauty in the process. How beautiful that is for anyone who has faced adversity in life. Those who read the novel questioned how it would be made into a movie and they did it. Those who saw the movie questioned how it would be played out on stage. I didn’t see how they would do it, but I knew from the beginning I wanted to be a part of it. I think everyone finds something they can relate to in this piece of art.

GLT: Filled with storylines of rape, incest, domestic violence and racial injustice, this is a pretty heavy piece for a Broadway musical. At the same time, the story remains hopeful and upbeat. How is The Color Purple different from other shows you have performed in?

AR: Every show that I perform in is different. The Color Purple is different in the fact it is a period piece, which I have never done before. We transform before the audiences eyes. They watch us go through life stages and life changes that are inspiring and, for many people, life changing, because many of the audience members can relate to it. It is different because it is an entirely African-American cast and we’re telling the story about African-American life. I’m telling my own story in that regard. I’ve been doing theatrical performances for a long time, but this is the first time that the show that I’m doing and the story that I’m telling on stage is reflected in the audience.

GLT: The Color Purple has brought an entirely new audience to Broadway. What has stopped this diverse audience from coming before?

AR: It is so true that the production has opened the doors for African-American audiences in theater. Before, often theatergoers all looked the same. I don’t think that it is because there wasn’t an interest, but it was because nobody ever reached out really. The Color Purple has reached out to the community of which it is representing. It feels so good to be telling a story and the people who you are telling the story about are actually in the audience. It is rare and you want everyone to be touched and relate to it. I’ve been touched that we’ve transcended that cultural barrier.

GLT: What has it been like to be part of this landmark cast, first on Broadway and now with the national tour?

AR: It’s been a great experience and like no other I have ever had before. The Color Purple is a transforming theatrical piece of work. It literally transforms audience members. If they come in sad, they do not leave that way because it is so inspiring. It is a blessing to be able to witness that in the production. I also love it from the view of an artist and the artistic work I get to do. In every way it is a wonderful experience.

GLT: Has it made you grow as an actress?

AR: Definitely. Every role does and this one has made me grow because I had to give myself in submission and allow myself to go all the way, in a way I never have done, with any other role before. With the sexuality, I had to allow myself to go all the way there and not edit myself in the role. With the love scene I had to totally commit. The reason why is because it is important for the entire story to totally commit, because if you don’t then she doesn’t really have a journey. Without my committing to the role, then she doesn’t completely fall in love. If Shug is not the biggest ho she can be there is nowhere to go and nowhere to grow from. Allowing myself to totally go there has been the best experience I’ve had in my career.

GLT: The country is in a transitional stage since the recent election, with many people left hopeful and inspired. Have you seen any affect on the production or audience members?

AR: While the production itself of course hasn’t changed, the energy amongst the entire production crew and actors has just been very exciting. I have also seen it reflected in the audience. We’re just very excited because we feel the journey of The Color Purple, from its inception, really has been what the country has become. From the beginning, our show has been a journey and beacon of light in theater that inspires. It brings in people of all races, ethnicity, religions and backgrounds together. And they all have an equally great time. We have looked out in the audience and seen people moved by the same piece and that just always inspires us. Sometimes it just moves us to tears. Now the whole country is experiencing that on a broader scale. To continue to do that work is really just invigorating now knowing there is a new sense of hope amongst everybody. It’s the same feeling that is reflected in The Color Purple.

GLT: Are there any similarities between yourself and the character of Shug Avery you play in the production?

AR: There really aren’t many similarities been me and Shug. I mean I bring to the role a physicality that Shug would have in terms of the way she moves. That is something I have worked hard at. But if anyone knows anything about Shug, in terms of who I am, I am a little more conservative than Shug. Then again, that doesn’t take a lot to be more conservative than Shug. But the reason I became an actress is so I could play parts that weren’t like me and so that I could really delve into characters. While I am not necessarily a whole lot like Shug, I do bring some of who I am to the character Shug, and I love her dearly. She has become very special to my life. But don’t get me wrong, I do have what I call my “Shug Avery moments.” You know those when I get really sassy and people better move out of my way because Shug is here!

GLT: Shug is a strong, blues singer who helps Celie discover her unique voice in the world. As a Broadway performer, who or what has influenced you?

AR: Wow! As an actress in general every experience I have in life. I bring to my work all that I have lived. Those that I know and love influence me so much and because this particular musical takes place in the south, and that is where I am from, my relatives, my aunts and my mom, kind of influenced me. They helped me to learn who Shug is because I know those women and I saw them and knew who they are. So where I am from has definitely influenced me. Every life experience influences my work.

GLT: What is the reaction of audience members when they realize the relationship between Shug and Celie, which they may not be as familiar with unless they read the novel?

AR: We sometimes get an initial “Oooh...” But everyone always comes around in the end and it is a complete story. So you have to have that part of her journey in order to appreciate all that the characters go through and the love lost and the experiences gained. I don’t think anyone holds it against us. And maybe if there are those one or two people who do, well they didn’t come to get it anyway.

GLT: Shug introduces Celie to same-sex sex. Did you have any difficulty getting into this part of the role?

AR: Not really because when a writer writes a story I believe in being as truthful as I can be in telling it. So the sex part was not tough at all. We had a really great time getting into it and building the relationships with the roles. It is the same as anyone would do with a heterosexual relationship in a role. I personally didn’t think it was any different. Again, sometimes we do hear people in the audience who are caught by shock with the sexually intimate relationship between the characters.

GLT: Shug also provides Celie with the courage and impetus to assert herself. Do you think theater goers are more accepting of the relationship between the two because of this reason?

AR: I think so. Because the audience realizes that these two people really love and care for each other and they both truly help each other. Shug helps Celie really come into herself, but Celie helps Shug. With Shug being as loud and boisterous as she is Celie is the first person who accepts her and appreciates and loves Shug for who she really is. She doesn’t ask anything of Shug, which so many other people have done. So they both really help each other and they find solace in each others arms. Once people see that and they see the truthfulness that’s in that relationship then they cannot judge it, unless they came with a whole lot of issues. Otherwise you have to really appreciate what they mean to each other and it’s really an interpretation of real life.

GLT: Are there any numbers in the production that you enjoy or find more difficult than others?

AR: I love all the numbers, but the performance number “Push the Button” is one I truly love because I get to do it with the entire cast. It is one of the only times I am on stage with everyone and we just have a great time. But my favorite number and scene in the show is “The Color Purple” song. That is the time when Celie has just given up. She has given up on God, she’s given up on life. Shug, this low-down woman, convinces her that God is inside of her and everyone. It sort of lets you know that the character of Shug and all she learned from her dad being a minister did not go unnoticed. She just chose another life, but she didn’t forget that of which she grew up with. I just love that scene because it just shows the closeness of those two women and it also shows the humility of Celie. A lot of time when people have frustration with morals it is difficult for them to admit their frustration or they don’t believe or want it anymore. It’s like they are sick of it. Then on the flip side it shows the depth of Shug because she is not all that she appears to be. She is much deeper than that and as you know if you are familiar with the story it is a deep production.