Stagecrafters is gearing up for a range of reactions from the audiences who come out to see the emotion-packed, Tony Award-winning, moving musical “The Color Purple.”

The show is running through Jan. 26 at the Baldwin Theatre in Royal Oak.

The storyline for the musical was based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker and the Warner Bros./Amblin Entertainment movie.

It tells the tale of Celie, “a young African-American woman living in the early 20th century South, as she navigates hardship, discovers her voice, and finds strength in the bonds of sisterhood,” according to the show’s official description.

“The Color Purple is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. With a joyous score featuring jazz, ragtime, gospel, African music, and blues, this production promises an unforgettable theatrical experience.”

Jerry Haines, who has been active with Stage-crafters for 31 years, is directing the production. He has directed numerous shows there, including “Jekyll & Hyde: The Musical,” “Dreamgirls,” “In The Heights,” “A Raisin in the Sun” and “9 to 5: The Musical.”

Haines says he jumped on the chance to direct “The Color Purple” when he knew it was available.

“I knew that the show had completed its tours and the 2023 movie musical was about to be released,” he explains.

This particular production has a special place in his heart.

“I dedicate the directing of this musical to my mother, who passed in 2020,” Haines says. “It was one of her favorite movies. It’s a story of love and discovery. Celie experiences horrible trauma in her life, but triumphs and finds her voice through love.”

Other characters in the show also are affected, he said.

“Sofia, Shug, Nettie, Mister and Harpo all experience self-discovery through the challenges of their lives and their journey is achieved through love,” he said. “And that is universal to human nature, not just the Black experience.”

Aside from this particular production, Haines says Stagecrafters enhances the greater Royal Oak community.

“Stagecrafters for years, even before my tenure, has been providing professional quality theater experiences for the community,” he says. “Sometimes it’s cutting edge and sometimes it’s traditional, but it’s always with the theater patron in mind. They provide the creative community with a chance to learn, volunteer and lend their talents to making the arts prosper.”

He said he hopes the audience has a special, emotional experience at the show.

“If I have done my job, if the actors have done their job and if the production crews have done their job, I would expect the audiences that see this show to shout, talk back, sing, dance, cry and be moved on such an emotional level that they are spent when they leave the theater,” he says. “That is just the nature of ‘The Color Purple.’ It’s in its design.”

For information on the production and to purchase tickets, visit stagecrafters.org.

IF YOU GO

When: Runs through Jan. 26

Where: Baldwin Theatre, Royal Oak

Tickets: stagecrafters.org