Youngstown Playhouse will open its 2021 season at Powers Auditorium. The community theater will stage the musical “The Color Purple” at the historic downtown Youngstown theater for six performances Sept. 24 to 26 and Oct. 1 to 3.

Playhouse Executive Director Kayla Boye said discussions began in the spring when state health guidelines still limited capacity for indoor performances due to COVID-19.

“Even though the restrictions have been lifted, why not proceed and have this wonderful collaboration?” Boye said. “I think collaborations in general benefit the Mahoning Valley. The more we can pool our resources together, I think the production will benefit from that as well.”

Another reason for the move is the Playhouse, located off of Glenwood Avenue, is having its stucco exterior repaired with funding provided by the Youngstown Foundation and a city of Youngstown community development block grant.

“We hope to welcome people back for the rest of the season starting in October,” Boye said.

“The Color Purple,” written by Marsha Norman, Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray, is based on the best-selling novel by Alice Walker. The original Broadway production opened in 2005, ran for more than 900 performances and was nominated for 10 Tony Awards. A 2015 revival ran for 450 performances and won the 2016 Tony Award for best revival of a musical.

The Playhouse production will be directed by Trevail Maurice Smith and feature the same creative team responsible for the Playhouse’s 2019 production of “Dreamgirls,” which sold out its entire seven-performance run.

“If there was any story that should be told right now after overcoming what many are saying is one of the most traumatic years in human history, it is this story,” Smith said in a statement released by the Playhouse. “‘The Color Purple’ is the timeless tale of the human experience and the supernatural power of the human spirit. ‘The Color Purple’ is not just about suffering alone, but it is about hope, faith, power and, the greatest of all, love.”

The upper balcony won’t be used at Powers, but the move will increase capacity for each show to 1,600 people, four times the size of the 400-seat mainstage theater.

“We’re excited about the chance to offer it to our patrons, and we’re hoping to draw an audience that hasn’t had a chance to see a show at the Playhouse but has seen the symphony or other shows at Powers. We’re hoping the demand is there, and we think it will be.”

Flex passes are available for $50 at youngstownplayhouse.org, which is good for admission to any four performances in the 2021 season. Flex pass subscribers can call 330-259-9651 to reserve their seats for “The Color Purple” in advance of the public on-sale date.

Single tickets for “The Color Purple” are $30 and $25 and go on sale starting Friday at the DeYor Performing Arts Center box office, 260 W. Federal St., Youngstown, and online at deyorpac.org.

agray@tribtoday.com