Production Sponsor
Carolyn J. Keating
Production Angel
Janet Hansen
BOGO tickets for 9/25/25 – 9/28/25
Must use promotion code HTW25 at checkout
Purlie Victorious:
A Non-Confederate Romp through the Cotton Patch
By Ossie Davis
Directed by Errol Anthony Wilks
Dynamic traveling preacher Purlie Victorious Judson returns to his small Georgia town hoping to save Big Bethel, the community’s church, and emancipate the cotton pickers who work on oppressive Ol’ Cap’n Cotchipee’s plantation. With the help of Lutiebelle Gussie Mae Jenkins, Purlie plans to wrench from Ol’ Cotchipee the inheritance due his long-lost cousin and use the money to save his town! “We still need togetherness; we still need each otherness – with faith in the futureness of our cause. Let us, therefore, stifle the rifle of conflict, shatter the scatter of discord, smuggle the struggle, tickle the pickle, and grapple the apple of peace!” A truly hilarious and joyful comedy by the incomparable Ossie Davis.
Purlie Victorious premiered on Broadway at the Cort Theatre on September 28, 1961. Directed by Howard Da Silva, the production starred Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee. A Broadway revival of Purlie Victorious opened at the Music Box Theatre on September 27, 2023. Directed by Kenny Leon, the show starred Leslie Odom, Jr.
“Blazing and hilarious… every bit as scathingly funny as the 1961 reviews said it was.” – The New York Times, 2023
“Raucous… uncompromising… A joyous affair, broad in comedy and in spirit.” – TimeOut New York
“Marvelously exhilarating… Keeps you chuckling and guffawing. It won’t let you wipe that grin off your face.” – The New York Times, 1961
LOCATION
Main Street Theater – Rice Village
2540 Times Blvd.
Houston, TX 77005
Directions
PERFORMANCES AND TICKETS
September 13 – October 12, 2025
Previews: September 7, 11, 12
Thursdays – Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 3:00pm
Tickets: $45 – $64
September 14 at 3:00pm
Open “in-sync” Captioned Performance
HELPFUL INFO
Seating Charts
Parking/Dining
Learn more about available discounts here.
Running Time: TBD.
Please note: no outside food/snacks are allowed at the theater. You may purchase concessions at the show.
Children under the age of 9 are not allowed in the theater.
Tuesday, August 19 at 6:45pm: Join us for a free, first read-thru of Purlie Victorious at our Rice Village location, 2540 Times Blvd. You get to be a fly on the wall for the very first rehearsal, hearing the cast read the play aloud for the first time together. Connect with the production from it’s very beginning and then see the arc of the process when you come back to see the full show. RSVP here.
Sunday, September 28: Stay after the matinee for a conversation with Tracie Jae, facilitator of meaningful community dialogues on race, culture, empathy, and connection. Tracie is the Owner and Lead Rebel of The Quiet Rebel, LLC, where she helps people navigate hard conversations with heart.
Everyone is welcome, regardless of whether you are seeing the play on these dates. Just plan to arrive at the theater about 5:00pm. Free to all.
Pride Night: Sept. 25 at 6:15pm Join us for our pre-show Happy Hour & the SingOUT Cabaret starting at 6:45pm! Special thanks to media sponsor OutSmart Magazine and event sponsor Riven Productions HTX.
Closing Weekend Party: Oct. 11 in the lobby after the show
Free Beer Fridays, sponsored by Saint Arnold Brewing Company! Have a beer on us after the show!
Season Sponsor
