It’s been more than 40 years since Alice Walker’s novel “The Color Purple” won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. Walker was the first Black woman to win that coveted writing award. In the years since, her story of young Celie’s survival and coming of age continues to be told on screen and onstage.

Following Steven Spielberg’s film version in 1985, “The Color Purple” was adapted for the musical stage by Marsha Norman, Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray in 2004. And just last year, the musical adaptation was turned into a film written by Marcus Gardley and directed by Blitz Bazawule.

Besides the dramatic power of the story, “we can all see ourselves a bit in each character,” said Kandace Crystal, who is directing New Village Arts Theatre’s production of the stage musical in Carlsbad. “I remember when I was Celie, when I was a Nettie, and when I was growing into my Shug. To have a piece like ‘The Color Purple’ where you can see yourself reflected on the stage, that’s an important part of my personal brand.”

The New Village production will also feature musical direction by Leigh Scarritt and choreography by Alyssa “Ajay” Junious.

“The Color Purple” takes place in rural Georgia from 1909 to 1947. The indomitable central character, Celie, perseveres despite being raped and beaten by her father and then verbally and physically abused by her cruel husband, Mister, who isolates Celie from her sister, Nettie, and openly carries on a long-term affair with the worldly traveling blues singer Shug Avery. The novel and musical touch on themes of faith, racism, relationships and sexuality.

Nio Russell, who grew up in Carlsbad and is making her NVA debut, is portraying Celie, a role played on film and stage by Whoopi Goldberg, LaChanze and, most recently, Fantasia Barrino.

“It is extremely exciting and I am beyond thrilled to be playing the role,” said Russell, 20. “I first read the book in high school. Because I was a full IB (International Baccalaureate) student, I wanted to write an essay comparing Alice Walker’s book and (Lorraine Hansberry’s 1959 play) ‘A Raisin in the Sun.’ I really appreciated the Black women in those stories.”

“It’s an honor to be taking on this role and to tell a story that was important when it was written and is still important today,” Russell said. “It tells my story as a queer Black woman, too.”

Crystal pointed out that Black people tend to shy away from the homosexuality present in the “Color Purple.”

“The love story here (Celie and Shug’s relationship) is a pure love story. I’m a firm believer that love is love,” Crystal said. “Another thing I appreciate is how Celia finds her forgiveness. To watch someone rise from the ashes and create something beautiful from that forgiveness is about self. It’s not about the other person.”

Russell believes “The Color Purple” is about another love story besides that between Celie and Shug.

“I think ‘The Color Purple’ is a love story to the Black community,” said Russell, “and one that also examines its faults. It’s not perfect.”

“The Color Purple” is the fourth musical in a row that Crystal has worked on. While she says “I will always go for the story we’re trying to tell over the music, the music is truly another part of the storytelling.

“This show is going to speak to someone, and it’s going to feel great sitting in the audience and seeing that one person make a connection that they’d never made before,” Crystal said.

‘“The Color Purple’

When: Previews, June 14-21. Opens June 22 and runs through July 21. 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Select Wednesdays at 2 p.m.

Where: New Village Arts, 2787 State St., Carlsbad

Tickets: $33 and up

Phone: (760) 433-3245

Online: newvillagearts.org

Coddon is a freelance writer.