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Leslie Odom Jr.didnt intendto spend seven years away from Broadway.
Purlie Victoriouswas the first thing my subconscious brought to mind, he said.
His plans blow up in his face, and he keeps on plotting.
But getting the play back to Broadway decades after its premiere would take patience.
Ive been asked a couple times Why now?
As if I had some grand design about This is gonna be whats happening in the Supreme Court.
This is whats happening down in Florida, Odom said.
But the truth is I wantedPurlieto happen six years ago.
(Owing to the SAG-AFTRA strike, he would not discuss his screen work.)
Purlie has that same ambition, but hes red hot.
The script is short, he told me, but this is the hardest part Ive ever done.
(He played Paul, the head of the life-support group.)
In a roundabout way, it worked: A role on the seriesSmashbrought him to New York.
After a couple of midsize theater jobs, he got wind of what would becomeHamiltonin 2015.
Its okay; Im used to doing it.
When hes acting in a show like this, theres no translation.
I know these people, these rhythms, this world.
Some of his ancestors were enslaved in South Carolina.
Its the last which Odom feels could be most useful in educating people.
Thats what I want this play to be, he said.
I want it to feel like a memory.
I dont kid myself, Odom said.
Im not assuming anybodys presence in this Broadway audience.
Broadway cant help but mean something, as far as the theater goes, Odom said.
I guess I should be more specific: It means something to me.
Purlie Victoriousopens at the Music Box Theatre on September 27.
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