"We always eat at a place called Indian Palace. My friend called and said, 'Hurry home, we're all ready to go eat. I'm really excited for that," said BYU graduate Clotile Bonet, who will be hitting her old stomping ground when the national tour of "The Color Purple" sets up shop at the Capitol Theatre this week.
"Anyone who wants wonderful Indian food in Provo, should go there," she said.
Bonet graduated from BYU with a BFA in acting in 2009 and now finds herself touring with the ensemble of the award-winning musical, based on the Alice Walker novel.
"It's kind of crazy," she said during a phone interview. "It was my first audition out of school. I hadn't auditioned for anything in New York or of this caliber. I just kept getting called back until there were three of us left."
Bonet, who performed locally at BYU, Hale Centre Theatre in West Valley and Hale Center Theater Orem, is a member of the ensemble and also understudies the lead role, Celie.
"I'm having a ball," she said. Which may not be expected, given the often difficult subject matter. The character of Celie sees much abuse and adversity.
"It is exhausting because of the journey every night," Bonet said. "The story of Celie does break your heart. But to see the audience take that journey with you, it's a connection you share with everybody there.
"A lot of people remember the book or the movie, but the musical is much more uplifting … more hopeful. It allows room for redemption. And the music carries you throughout."
The show is adapted for the stage by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner Marsha Norman, with music by Grammy Award winners Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray.
Oprah Winfrey, who starred in the 1985 movie, sits in the producer's chair for the musical. She'll host the movie cast, including Whoopi Goldberg, Danny Glover and Quincy Jones, on Monday's show. It airs on Ch. 2 at 4 p.m.
"Working in 'The Color Purple' has been life-altering. I'm pretty positive I'll find nothing like it in the future," Bonet said. "I would say that I've learned more about it (the character's experiences) now that I've come away from our little bubble of Utah, and seeing these other people and their lives and their journeys and how eerily similar some are to the play.
"I've been able to see the blessings and how God has worked for me. And it resonates to what I believe and who I am and to see the beautiful people I work with."
With as much as she's enjoying her fellow cast mates and being on the road, she's eager to get back home.
"I'm so excited! Utah is in my heart, it's my home. The people are just … it's home. It's home to me. I grew up and was raised in the LDS Church, and there is nothing like Utah for me. It's really a coming home. It will be wonderful. And so many friends and family are coming to the show. It's great."
If you go...
What: "The Color Purple," national tour
When: Nov. 16 - 21
Where: Capitol Theatre, 50 W. 200 South
How much: $30-$57.50
Phone: 801-355-2787
Web: www.thecolorpurple.com or www.arttix.org
e-mail: ehansen@desnews.com