Emerging as a musical in far better form than might have been expected, "The Color Purple" entertains even while not fully overcoming the problems inherent in translating its sprawling story to the stage. The show boasts many strong elements, including a terrific score encompassing blues, gospel and pop and a powerhouse cast of talented performers. [...] much as with Steven Spielberg's 1985 film adaptation, the subtleties of Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel often are sacrificed in favor of schematic characterizations and broad sentimentality that undercut its message of female empowerment.

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