(1961) Stage: Understudy (Broadway debut) for
Ruby Dee in "Purlie Victorious" on Broadway. Comedy. Written by
Ossie Davis. Directed by
Howard Da Silva. Cort Theatre (moved to The Longacre Theatre from 20 Nov 1961-13 May 1962): 28 Sep 1961-13 May 1962 (261 performances). Cast: Ossie Davis (as "Purlie Victorious Judson"), Ruby Dee (as "Lutiebell Gussie Mae Jenkins"),
Sorrell Booke (as "Ol' Cap'n Cotchipee"),
Godfrey Cambridge (credited as Godfrey M. Cambridge; as "Gitlow Judson"),
Alan Alda (as "Charley Cotchipee"),
Roger C. Carmel (as "The Deputy"),
Ci Herzog (as "The Sheriff"),
Helen Martin (as "Missy Judson"),
Beah Richards (as "Idella Landy"). Understudies:
Gail Fisher (as "Lutiebell Gussie Mae Jenkins") [Broadway debut],
Gloria Foster (as "Idella Landy" / "Missy Judson"), Michael Lord (as "Charley Cotchipee" / "The Deputy"), John Sillings (as "The Sheriff"),
Mel Stewart (as "Gitlow Judson" / "Purlie Victorious Judson"), Mervyn Williams (as "Ol' Cap'n Cotchipee").