Broadway, as always, is giving us lessons on language and its connection to music. The stellar new production of “Purlie Victorious,” not seen on Broadway since 1961, is Exhibit A. If the production discomfited me in any way it was that every 15 minutes I was waiting for someone to start singing. To impersonate the cousin, Purlie enlists an awkward young woman, Lutiebelle, who in the process falls in love with him. The play was written by Ossie Davis, who played the lead in the original production alongside his wife, Ruby Dee, as Lutiebelle.

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Persons: “, ”, —, who’s miring, Purlie, Lutiebelle, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Leslie Odom Jr, Aaron Burr, “ Hamilton Organizations: Broadway Locations: Spain, Georgia, American