Preview: Purlie Victorious at Main Street Theater

Purlie Victorious — its full title is Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp through the Cotton Patch — is about to make its regional premiere at Main Street Theater, telling the story of a traveling preacher returning to his hometown with two missions in mind.

He hopes to save the community’s church and free the cotton pickers working on Ol’ Cap’n Cotchipee’s land. Toss in a lost $500 inheritance that he’d like to recover and you have the comedy (with serious subjects) written by the late actor and writer Ossie Davis. Davis had the title role when it went on the Broadway stage in 1961 with his wife, Ruby Dee, playing opposite him as Lutiebelle Gussie Mae Jenkins who among other duties, pretends to be a dead woman.

What complicates the entire endeavor is that Purlie and company are dealing with Jim Crow era laws and attitudes.

Director and Texas Southern University professor Errol Wilks, who most recently directed Stagolee and the Funeral of a Dangerous Word for Main Street, calls Purlie Victorious “a wonderful piece of American literature.” And although it’s set in the 1950s, Wilks says some of the same attitudes are present today.

Wilks describes Purlie (played by Timothy Eric who just shared 2025 Best Actor honors in the Houston Theater Awards with Brandon Morgan for their Topdog/Underdog performances) as “an idealist who thinks he can lead his people to some kind of promised land.” Central to the story is Cap’n Cotchipee (Seán Patrick Judge) and his unwillingness to part with ways of the past.

“He’s the owner of all the people there, so to speak, because he runs a cotton farm and the people who work on it have to buy everything from the commissary. He keeps them in perpetual debt so they can’t leave,” Wilks explains. In addition, he abuses and bullies his own son, who doesn’t agree with his father’s treatment of his workers.

A relative has left $500 to Purlie’s cousin. Unfortunately, the cousin has died. “[Purlie] wants to bamboozle the Captain to get the money that was left for his cousin. He  recruits this young lady, Lutiebelle (Krystal Uchem, also a 2025 Houston Theater Awards winner, in her case for Best Costumes) to come home with him to try to fool the Captain to believe she’s the cousin,” Wilks says.

Even though there is very serious subject matter, Wilks says, ” it is a farce, a comedy.  He (Davis) gives us some beautiful words and all the actors get in on the fun onstage.” Other cast members include Andrea Boronell-Hunter, Kendrick “KayB” Brown, Wykesha King, Domenico Leona and Jim Salners.

At the same time, however, Wilks says, “Let’s not forget that there are uncomfortable images subliminally as well as overtly in this play and I dare say that there’re going to be times that the only thing that’s going to be comfortable about this piece of art is the seats that you’re sitting in.”

In 2023, Purlie Victorious had a Broadway revival and starred Leslie Odom, Jr. (Hamilton) in the title role. Main Street Theater chose it as the season opener for its 50th anniversary season.

In the Main Street production, there are eight cast members, several of whom Wilks has either worked with before or seen on stage many times. He hadn’t worked with Leona before but says Leona contacted him, saying “I love that play. I want to be Charlie.”

Wilks says he wanted Seán Patrick Judge because of his height and acting ability.  “When I looked at the play — he’s tall and I want him to tower over everyone on stage. That’s a symbolism of race relations in that you have this giant who has hovered over everyone spewing hate and derision. I’ve seen him on stage and he’s an incredible talent. As soon as he walks on stage you’ll see the wisdom of my choice.”

Wilks thinks Purlie is an idealist truly concerned for his people. “Whether or not he’s going about it in the right way. we don’t know. We have to see how it plays out. I think he’s a good man; he wants good for his people and for his family. He wants to eradicate some of the bad that has happened to his people.”

“I would really sincerely love to thank Main Street Theater because this is their 50th anniversary and they chose this play and this particular director to helm it,” Wilks says. “I’m really keen on making sure we convey the messages that are there as well as the fun stuff that is there.””

Performances are scheduled for September 13 through October 12 at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays at Main Street Theater – Rice Village, 2540 Times Boulevard. For more information call 713-524-6706 or visit mainstreettheater.com. $45-$64.