‘Color’ us impressed

 If “The Color Purple” doesn’t move you in some way, you should check your pulse.

The megahit musical packs an emotional wallop sure to send even the most critical among us out of the theater with hope in their hearts.

Based on Alice Walker’s incredible Pulitzer Prize-winning novel which Steven Spielberg later turned into a gut-wrenching film, “Purple” is the story of Celie, a young woman riddled with adversity who somehow finds the strength and courage to not only overcome it, but to find a triumphant new voice and an indomitable spirit.

By age 14, Celie has already endured the birth of two children (fathered by her own father), their subsequent removal from her life (also by her father) and permanent separation from her sister Nettie, whom she calls “the only one left who loved me.”

And that’s just the beginning of this tragic tale of abuse, racism, sexism and the kind of dysfunction most people will never know.

Kenita R. Miller is truly magnificent in the role of Celie, which she’s also played on Broadway. Watching her morph from the meek, abused, pregnant teen with her head hung low into the powerhouse whose glorious vocals reach the rafters is an extraordinarily rare treat. Even the intimate subtleties of her performance play out perfectly in the cavernous Wang Theatre.

Miller is hardly the only shining star in this stellar production, however. Season three “American Idol” alum LaToya London is superb as Nettie and Felicia P. Fields, in a role she created and for which she received a Tony nomination, nearly steals the show as spunky, tough-talking Sophia.

Rufus Bonds, Jr. is perfectly hateful as Celie’s Mister and Angela Robinson hits all the right sultry notes as the sexy Shug Avery.

At nearly three hours in length, this production might seem a little daunting, but nothing could be further from the truth. The story is so enthralling and so well told that it could indeed be the best three hours of the theater season.

‘Oprah Winfrey presents
“The Color Purple”’
Through June 28
Citi Performing Arts Center
270 Tremont St., Boston
MBTA: Green Line to     Boylston
$28-$100, 617-532-1116
www.telecharge.com