Producer Jeffrey Richards grew up around the theater; his mother was a company manager. Many of his childhood experiences inform his work today — and that goes for the 2023 revival of Ossie Davis’ “Purlie Victorious.” (You’ll have to listen to the full interview to get the details.)
Richards, who had long thought about reviving the comedy, teamed up with producer Hunter Arnold, who read “Purlie Victorious” in college. The play is now nominated for six Tony Awards, including Best Revival.
With their decades of experience producing on the Main Stem, the two shared their motivations to revive the play, their strategy behind bringing audiences to the theater for “Purlie Victorious” and more.
