Photo: George Burns/Harpo Studios

Producing and writing the music for The Color Purple was like "going to heaven" for Quincy. "From being a little raggedy kid here [in Chicago] in 1933—I was born here in the hard-core ghetto—and to be here on this stage is like beyond belief," he says.

The only cast member who wasn't able to make it to the reunion is Adolph Caesar, who passed away in 1986.

"Thanks to all of my Color Purple family, my husband Harpo," Oprah says.

"Only husband you ever had," Willard says with a smile.