Alan Alda Visits Broadway’s Purlie Victorious Revival, 62 Years After Starring in the Original (Exclusive Details)

The cast of the Broadway revival Purlie Victorious: a non-confederate crowd through the cotton surface were in for a real treat when they were treated to a rare appearance by one of the stars who helped bring the series’ original production to life: Alan Alda.

PEOPLE has exclusive details on Alda’s appearance at the Music Box Theater in New York on Tuesday. The 87-year-old actor — who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2015 — is part of the new production’s production team alongside a host of big names including Samuel L. Jackson, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Phylicia Rashad, Kerry Washington and Tony winner Leslie Odom, Jr., who helms the production as Purlie, and his wife, actress Nicolette Robinson.

The comedy, written by Ossie Davis, tells the story of the Reverend Purlie Victorious Judson, a charismatic traveling priest who returns to segregated Georgia with a plan to save his rural home church and his legacy. In addition to Alda, the original production also starred Davis as Purlie, as well as his wife, Emmy and Grammy winner Ruby Dee.

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Heather Alicia Simms (left), Kara Young, Alan Alda and Vanessa Bell Calloway photographed backstage at ‘Purlie Victorious’ on October 3, 2023.

Bruce Glikas/WireImage

Alda felt the spirit of Davis and Dee on Tuesday night, he told the cast backstage after watching the performance with his longtime wife, Arlene.

“He was emotional,” an onlooker told PEOPLE. “He shared a few stories with them from his time in the original production, and told Leslie and [actress Kara Young] they were so committed to the show, he could feel Ossie and Ruby in great presence.”

Photos captured the star smiling as he enthusiastically posed for selfies and hugged them. “The cast was thrilled,” says the source. “He told them how important the show was, especially now in this world, he said he was going to bring the family back. His wife was also taking video on her cell phone, which was sweet.”

Noah Robbins (left) and Alan Alda photographed backstage at ‘Purlie Victorious’.

Bruce Glikas/WireImage

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Noah Robbins — who plays plantation owner Charlie Cotchipee’s son in the revival, a role Alda created — told PEOPLE about his experience finally meeting the veteran actor. Before Tuesday, Robbins and Alda had only spoken by phone, but that changed after the latter’s surprise appearance.

“It’s an honor to have anything in common with Alan Aldo. To have this shared role in this series with him is a gift that cannot be described,” said Robbins about talking to Aldo in person. “He is an absolute treasure, and meeting and talking to him was the highlight of my life.”

Leslie Odom, Jr. and Kara Young in ‘Purlie Victorious’.

Marc J. Franklin

Purlie Victorious it opened to rave reviews on September 27. The production, directed by Kenny Leon, marks Odom Jr.’s return to Broadway, seven years after his Tony-winning performance in Hamilton.

When the original production started in 1961. Purlie Victorious it was hailed as groundbreaking for its satire of racism in America and caught the attention of celebrities and politicians at the time, who flocked to cinemas to see it. The play ended up being nominated for one Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play thanks to the work of Alda’s costar Godfrey Cambridge.

To mark the 100th performance of the play, the famous civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. he attended and celebrated with the performers.

Martin Luther King, Jr. (in the middle). with the cast of ‘Purlie Victorious’ in 1962.

Thomas E. Poag

Today’s revitalization Purlie Victorious is notable for the fact that it is the first time the original play has been performed since it closed in 1962 after 261 performances. Recorded version of the play, name changed Gone are the days!was released in 1963 and featured many first-time cast members, including Alda.

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In 1970 Purlie Victorious was turned into a musical called Purliebut Davis was little involved. Purlie it was generally well received despite this, garnering nominations for five Tony Awards including Best Musical.

Purlie Victorious: a non-confederate crowd through the cotton surface is now open at the Music Box Theatre. For tickets and more information, visit purlievictorious.com.

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Source: HIS Education