Actress Deaun Parker (center) and the other "church ladies" from "The Color Purple." Photo courtesy of Broadwayworld.com.
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The mega-successful and beloved musical “The Color Purple” is, once again, making its way back to Charlotte tonight for a two-show run … and that’s good news for both fans of the play and folks who’ve yet to see it in the flesh.

To get you primed and ready for the production — which is, of course, based on the book by Alice Walker and the acclaimed film — Qcitymetro chatted with “Color Purple” actress Deaun Parker. Hailing from Columbus, Ohio, she has been touring with the play for two years. Before joining the cast, she taught music in Columbus and Los Angeles and acted in stage productions such as “The Wiz,” “Kwamina,” and “Black Resurrection,” among others.

Talking via telephone, Parker opened up about the life of a touring actor, why audiences seem to connect to “The Color Purple,” and more.

How did you land a role in “The Color Purple”?

I went to audition for the role in Los Angeles, Calif., in 2010. At the time, that’s where I was living. I heard about the audition through Backstage, a newspaper that [lists] auditions for actors. Because they were looking for singers, the audition process was a little easier for me — because that’s what I do. A lot of auditions they want you to sing and dance, but it was only a vocal audition.

Tell me about the character you play in the production.

The part that I play is … Church Lady Jarene. It’s actually three of us: Jarene, Doris and Darlene. What we do is provide the comedy for the play. We don’t really mean to provide the comedy, but we just do. And that’s what makes it funny. Because we don’t mean any harm, we just feel like it’s our duty to tell everybody what’s going on with all the characters in the play. So, we’re what’s called a “Greek chorus.” We basically sing what we feel. It’s a very, very fun role to play.

“The Color Purple” stage play has been successful since it debuted years ago. Why do you think it has resonated so well with audiences?

Well, I think it’s because of the characters. Everybody knows a Celie, who is a person that has endured a lot … has suffered abuse, but keeps on going. We can identify with Sophia, who speaks her mind and tells it like it is. We can even identify with Shug Avery, who’s this sexy singer that people want to be. Basically, I feel like people think they are part of their family.

What is the lifestyle like when you’re working in a touring show?

I’m actually blessed to have this type of lifestyle. It has its ups and downs, of course, as anything does. It can be toiling on your body. You have to make sure you get proper rest and you eat correctly, which can be difficult. But it’s a lifestyle I would not trade for the world. It’s a dream job for me — to be able to be in a new city and, when we have time, explore that city … and go and touch someone’s life by telling this story every single night. I can’t even think of anything more I want to do.

Tickets start at $34.50. Fri., Jan. 20, 8 p.m. and Sat., Jan. 21, 2 p.m. Ovens Auditorium, 2700 E. Independence Blvd. More info: www.blumenthalarts.org.

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