My view is that musicals are love stories with great final scenes. It's just that simple. Musicals are also conflicts between two worlds. And by those criteria, 'The Color Purple' is actually exactly the kind of story that makes for a great musical. Yes, it's got hard stuff in it, but so does 'Les Miserables' and 'Phantom of the Opera.'

Knowing is the most profound kind of love, giving someone the gift of knowledge about yourself.

If I had not had music in my life, I would be the neurasthenic vision of the playwright.

Dreams are illustrations from the book your soul is writing about you.

I wouldn't be able to have the successes in my career if it weren't for the happiness in my personal life.

Joy always came after pain.

The British do not expect happiness. I had the impression, all the time that I lived there, that they do not want to be happy; they want to be right.

Part of the joy of dancing is conversation. Trouble is, some men can't talk and dance at the same time.