BWW Interviews: Getting to Know THE COLOR PURPLE's Gary Hines

Saint Paul's Park Square Theater is in the midst of a hit run with THE COLOR PURPLE on their main stage. Music Director Gary Hines, whose impressive resume includes winning a Grammy Award as a composer, keyboardist/songwriter/director/producer/arranger and has been the conductor/producer/keyboardist/arranger/
playwright/principal songwriter for The Sounds of Blackness for its entire 45 years.

Working with accomplished talents like Aimee K. Bryant, T. Mychael Rambo, Thomasina Petrus and Regina Marie Williams, among many more, Hines and company are getting rave reviews for this production. Gary took a few minutes to chat about this production and his upcoming projects with BroadwayWorld Minneapolis/St. Paul.

How did you get involved in THE COLOR PURPLE?
On the recommendation of our phenomenal Director Mr Lewis Whitlock, I received a call from Park Square Theater Artistic Director Richard Cook when Rev. Carl Walker was unable to continue as music director. Those were huge shoes to attempt to fill but, I was greatly honored to join the show!

You have a cast of 19 amazing talents, each with a voice bigger than the last. How did you balance all these voices and also give so many of them their own moments to shine?
I credit the score & songwriters, cast, Director Lewis Whitlock, Rev. Carl Walker, Denise Prosek & Conductor Andrew Bourgoin with teaching our amazing cast what to sing. My primary function was coaching them how to sing it. Such extraordinary talent as this cast stands on its own to shine so brightly.

The show ranges 40 years in the early 20th century (1909-1949) with styles ranging from gospel to ragtime to jazz and blues. That's a lot of ground to cover! What was your process to learn and rehearse this production with your large cast and orchestra?
Exploration, clarification and application of authentic technique, phrasing & interpretation of the songs from each music genre - along with lots of repetition!

Did you work with your actors, particularly Aimee K Bryant (Celie) and Jamaica Meyer (Nettie), to sound younger in the beginning and age the 40 years in their voices and interpretations?
Aimee K & Jamaica brought their own formidable acting and musical talents to effectively "age" their characters' voices as the show progresses. Director Whitlock also incorporated aging into their characterizations.

What was your favorite number from this show, and why?
I actually have several "favorites" but at or near the top of my list is the Finale song "The Color Purple," because it is so moving, sweeping and overwhelming!

You obviously had experience with a number of the cast members as members of Sounds of Blackness; did you find it different, challenging and/or fun to work with them in a theatrical production vs. the way you usually work on concerts?
Sounds of Blackness has always done theatrical productions so, it was full speed ahead with current and former Sounds of Blackness members! The rehearsal and preparation techniques employed are essentially the same.

This is the Twin Cities premiere of this powerful musical. What do you hope audiences walk away from Park Square with after experiencing the show?
Inspiration, triumph and an appreciation of the world-class level of acting & singing talent right here in the Twin Cities as displayed by our great cast!

Sounds of Blackness has been going strong for 45 years. Your career has been amazing. This show is getting rave reviews. What is next for you in theatre and music? What are you going to top this experience with?
Sounds of Blackness will release our first live CD this year and, we perform at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis this Sunday, February 8, 2015, at 4 p.m. with VocalEssence, and also at The Ordway March 19 at 7:30 p.m.

THE COLOR PURPLE is said to be a celebration of life, resilience and love. All her life, "Po' chile" Celie has known only hardship and cruelty. She is married off at the age of 14 to a callous local farmer and her sole joy in the world is the letters she receives from her missionary sister Nettie. But when sassy nightclub singer Shug Avery comes to town, Celie's awakening - emotional and otherwise - promises to lead her to healing and joy. With a jubilant score of roof-raising gospel, jazz and throaty blues, The Color Purple is the tale of an everywoman triumphing over adversity, and a testament to the power of hope.

The show plays through Feb. 15 at Park Square Theater. Tickets and info are available at http://parksquaretheatre.org/box-office/shows/the-color-purple-jan-16-feb-15-2015/.

Photo: Gary Hines; courtesy of Gary Hines and Park Square Theater.

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