Trenton’s Compere on the road with The Color Purple
Think of the greatest songs about finding success in New York City and in between the declarations, beats and rhythms Carrie Compere can be found there.
Compere, a Trenton resident who splashed onto Broadway as a star in The Color Purple, represents as a confident cocktail of The Drifters, mixed with Sinatra and Minnelli, then chased with Jayz and Alicia Keys.
Compere started The Color Purple as one of the original “Church Ladies” then morphed into the role of “Sofia”.
The Color Purple lasted 14 months at the Bernard Jacobs Theatre before heading off on a road trip that lasts for one year. Compere connected from Houston where the cast performs at the Hobby Center for Performing Arts.
Compere talked about Broadway and the comfort that comes with familiarity.
“Houston is great and the people are wonderful. They have an appreciation for the arts and the powerful story told by The Color Purple. We’ve had fantastic crowds,” Compere said.
“Broadway’s the place though. Leaving Trenton for New York on the same train and same time just about every day offers comfort. It’s magical at the Bernard Jacobs Theatre. Familiarity offers peace as you know where you’re going, where to be, you know the rhythms of your body, know every sound of the train on the rails. You know every speck of dust on stage.”
“Don’t get me wrong. Being on the road tests your professionalism. Actors adjust to acoustics, new stage, people and there’s a lot less cover up if you miss a note. Actors can get exposed on the road. But you learn to adjust, sometimes on a weekly basis, other times on a daily basis. The road is wonderful, a chance to meet people where they are. We bring Broadway to them.”
The Color Purple will tour until the end of August as Compere auditions for other roles and dreams of a Broadway return.
“I have a small role (as Sylvia) in a Netflix show called “Seven Seconds”. Hopefully, something will grow out of that first season. My agent keeps me on my toes, keeps my name out there,” Compere said.
Compere has also performed on Broadway in Holler If Ya Hear Me and Off-Broadway in Sistas the Musical as Gloria. Carrie appeared in the first national tour of Shrek the Musical and regionally in Smokey Joe’s Cafe at TUTS. Her TV credits include “NYC 22” (CBS), “Gurland on Gurland” (Showtime), and “Show Boat: Live at Lincoln Center” (PBS).
Compere said she generally refrains from specific New Year’s resolutions.
“I used to always make the weight pledge, still working on that and my health. Those are everyday lifestyle goals,” she said.
“I want to be a better person, learn more. Push myself in every area of my life, those are constant resolutions that work for me. It’s always onward and upward. And Broadway. That’s a good place to be moving toward.”
L.A. Parker is a Trentonian columnist.