COMEDY, COMMUNITY AND JOY: Willis Richardson Players’ ‘Purlie Victorious’ returns for the MLK Jr. holiday weekend

Zach Peschl
Jan 13
4 min read

The Willis Richardson Players will present Ossie Davis’ comedy “Purlie Victorious” from Jan. 16–18, bringing a high-energy production to audiences during the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend.

The Willis Richardson Players are named for pioneering Black playwright Willis Richardson, a Wilmington native, whose contributions to American theatre helped shape the foundation of African American drama in the early 20th century.

First staged on Broadway in 1961, “Purlie Victorious” follows the charismatic Reverend Purlie Victorious Judson as he returns to his Southern hometown, determined to uplift his community, and reclaim a long-lost inheritance from the stubborn plantation owner Ol’ Cap’n Cotchipee. What unfolds is a fast-moving comedy filled with sharp wit, colorful characters and pointed social commentary.

Director Fracaswell Hyman describes the show as unapologetically funny. “Purlie Victorious is laugh out loud funny, period-T,” Hyman said.

While the play addresses serious themes tied to racism, power and resistance in the Jim Crow South, Hyman emphasized that comedy is at the heart of Davis’ storytelling. “‘Purlie Victorious’ is DEFINITELY a comedy,” Hyman said. “There is an old adage that says, ‘truth plus pain equals comedy,’ and the playwright, Ossie Davis, knew exactly how to exploit that mixture.”

Willis Richardson was born in Wilmington, and educated in the public schools of Wilmington and Washington, D.C. His love of literature began early, even as neighbors criticized him for reading too much. Richardson later reflected on those formative years, writing, “I would forget the rest of the world and become a part of the adventures of Frank and Dick Merriwell, the Liberty Boys of Seventy-Six, the James Boys, and others too numerous to mention.”

That early immersion in storytelling led Richardson to pursue a correspondence course in poetry and drama. Through his writing during the Harlem Renaissance, he became a respected dramatist and essayist, known for his thoughtful portrayals of Black life and culture. A celebrated actor, playwright and civil rights activist, Davis’s “Purlie Victorious” came to the stage at the height of the Civil Rights Movement. His script blends satire and social critique with lively humor, allowing audiences to engage with difficult subject matter through laughter.

The production’s timing over the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend adds additional significance. While “Purlie Victorious” predates Dr. King’s assassination, its themes of justice, empowerment and collective action align perfectly with the values associated with the national observance.

For Hyman, the desired impact on audiences is clear. “I hope audiences leave the show filled with JOY,”

In 1923, Willis Richardson made history with the Broadway production of The Chip Woman’s “Fortune,” becoming the first African American playwright to have a non-musical play produced on Broadway. The achievement marked a turning point in American theatre and helped pave the way for future generations of Black playwrights.

Unlike many of his contemporaries, Richardson’s work did not focus primarily on racism. Instead, he centered his plays on the portrayal of unique characters within the Black community. His goal was to invite audiences to share in the lived experiences of his characters — their struggles, humor, relationships and aspirations.

Among his notable works were “The King’s Dilemma,” and “The Hope of a Negro Drama,” both edited by W. E. B. Du Bois. Du Bois’ philosophies had a significant influence on Richardson’s writing, particularly the concept of the “Talented Tenth,” which emphasized the importance of education and leadership within the Black community. Richardson explored these ideas in his play “Mortgaged,” which examined social mobility and responsibility through a dramatic lens.

The Willis Richardson Players carry forward that legacy by producing theatre that reflects the Black experience in its many forms. The company’s vision is “to promote, involve & educate the community.” Focused on enabling the company’s mission “to provide, involve, and educate residents of Wilmington, North Carolina and the surrounding area in the performing arts through Black theatre; to bridge the cultural gap by providing theatrical productions to minority communities as well as the local community; to actively promote and produce public performances and productions arising out of the Black Experience within all age levels; and to provide an opportunity for the members of the Willis Richardson Players to develop, perform, and supervise dramatic arts.

“Purlie Victorious” is also part of a broader series of Black theatre at Thalian Hall. Following “Purlie Victorious,” from February 5-15, is Techmoja Dance and Theatre Company’s “The Scottsboro Boys,” a musical that examines the 1931 case of nine Black teenagers falsely accused of rape in Alabama and the legal battles that followed. Together, the two productions highlight different theatrical approaches — one comedic, one musical — to exploring Black history and resilience on stage.

While “The Scottsboro Boys” confronts a specific historical injustice through music and satire, “Purlie Victorious” uses character-driven comedy to explore themes of dignity, leadership and community empowerment.

Audiences attending “Purlie Victorious” can expect a production filled with lively performances, sharp dialogue and moments of heartfelt connection, performed by a fantastic cast. Davis’ script provides ample opportunities for actors to shine, from the bold swagger of Purlie to the eccentric charm of Lutiebelle Gussie Mae Jenkins and the blustery authority of Ol’ Cap’n Cotchipee.

The comedy unfolds through rapid-fire exchanges, unexpected twists and scenes that blend slapstick with satire. Beneath the humor lies a story about belief — belief in community, belief in justice, and belief in the power of individuals to challenge systems that seek to silence them.

As audiences gather over MLK weekend, “Purlie Victorious” offers a chance to reflect on the past while celebrating the enduring power of laughter, storytelling and shared experience.

Performances of “Purlie Victorious” run Jan. 16–18. Tickets are available now at ThalianHall.org.