Actor likes challenge of
‘The Color Purple’

By Rita Charleston
For the Times

It wasn’t an easy career transition for Rufus Bonds Jr., but a necessary one.
With a degree in chemistry from the University of Cincinnati, Bonds tried working as a chemist for a time at what he called a “good job at Sherwin-Williams.”
“But I hated it. I always loved singing, and singing was the only way I knew of expressing myself. I was always very quiet, very shy, very timid. And singing was the only way I knew of communicating how I really felt in life,” said Bonds, who evidently learned to communicate so well that he’s appearing in the blockbuster hit musical, The Color Purple.
The first North American tour production runs through July 17 at the Academy of Music.
Nominated for 11 Tony awards, including best musical, the show is based on the classic Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker and the moving film by Steven Spielberg.
It is the inspiring story of a woman named Celie who finds the strength to triumph over adversity and discover her unique voice in the world. With a joyous Grammy-nominated score featuring gospel, jazz, pop and blues, The Color Purple is about hope and the healing power of love.
Bonds takes the role of Mister, a man, the performer says, “who is very complex. He’s a man living in a certain time period, in a certain society, and is utterly powerless and only has power in his own community. He is also a man who is deeply hurt and seeking love that’s been lost.”
Because of the complexity of the character, Bonds added that although he no longer is on an emotional roller coaster at work, it was a difficult role to play in the beginning.
“When I first took on the role,” he said, “it was extremely difficult leaving the character where he should be and not take him home every night with me.
“But not anymore. The director told me I had to let him go when the show was over and not pick him back again until I came back to the theater and back to work again. Otherwise, it was just too hard a role to manage. Fortunately, I’ve now been able to do that.”
And Bonds said he’s been fortunate in other ways as well, since this is a role he really wanted to play. “When I first saw the movie, I was really moved,” he recalled. “And then when I heard it was becoming a musical, I called my agent and told him I wanted to audition for a part.
“I did all my research and did the audition but did not get the Broadway show. Then, when they started the tour, I auditioned again, and this time I did get the part of Mister, and I have been on the road with it ever since,” he said.
As for other career highlights, Bonds has performed the role of Mufasa in the Broadway production of The Lion King, and he was part of an ensemble cast in the Los Angeles premiere of Because They Have No Words.
However, portraying Mister may just be one of Bonds’ favorite roles. “I get to show all sides of this man — both the good and the bad,” he explained. “I was given the chance to create wonderful things with this character, and every time I step onstage, I try even harder to make him real so the audience gets to see the dark side and the light. I’m able to bring a new life to him, that part that is there but people can’t always see, and eventually have people fall in love with him.” ••
For times and ticket information, call 215-731-3333.