The Color Purple will be played at the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts
Oprah Winfrey, Scott Sanders and the producing team of the Broadway smash hit THE COLOR PURPLE, The Musical about Love, are proud to announce that The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts in Hartford will host the first North American Touring production of THE COLOR PURPLE for eight performances, June 9-14, 2009. Tickets are on sale now THE COLOR PURPLE will feature stars of the Broadway production, Kenita R. Miller, Felicia P. Fields and Angela Robinson, along with American Idol alum LaToya London.
THE COLOR PURPLE will play June 9-14, 2009. Performances are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday evening at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices range from $25 to $75 and are currently on sale at The Bushnell Box Office, 166 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, online at www.bushnell.org or by calling (860) 987-5900. Discounts for groups of 20 or more are available by calling (860) 987-5959.
Kenita R. Miller comes to the tour from the Broadway production as the lead character, Celie. She’s also been seen on and Off-Broadway in Xanadu (Erato/Kira Cover), Dessa Rose (Dessa) and Best of Both Worlds (Rain). She joins her Broadway cast-mate Felicia P. Fields, who originated the role of Sofia, for which she received a Tony Award nomination. Felicia has received numerous awards and nominations for her work on and Off-Broadway. Also joining the tour from the Broadway production is Angela Robinson, who will play the role of Shug Avery. Angela has appeared in several other Broadway productions including Wonderful Town and Bells Are Ringing. Celie’s sister Nettie will be played by LaToya London. ‘London’ was named the early front runner to win season three of American Idol by Simon Cowell and Elton John. On air she joined the ranks of the aptly named “Three Divas,” alongside Jennifer Hudson and Fantasia (who played Celie in the Broadway production). Rufus Bonds, Jr., who recently won the L.A. Weekly nomination, Best Ensemble, for his work in the Los Angeles premier of Because They Have No Words, directed by Emilie Beck, will play Mister. Rufus also performed the role of Mufasa in Julie Taymor’s Broadway production of The Lion King. Brandon Victor Dixon returns to The Color Purple family in the role of Harpo which he originated and received a Tony Award nomination. Rounding out the principals is former Laker Girl Tiffany Daniels as Squeak.
Ensemble members are: Lynette DuPree, Kimberly Ann Harris and Virginia Ann Woodruff as the Church Ladies, Carol Dennis as the Church Soloist, and Mike Hodge as Ol’ Mister. Rounding out the cast are Brian Harlan Brooks, Darius Crenshaw, David Aron Damane, Lesly Terrell Donald, Anika Ellis, André Garner, LaTrisa Harper, Phyre Hawkins, Dameka Hayes, Tim Hunter, Chauncey Jenkins, Trent Armand Kendall, Brandi Chavonne Massey, Sumayah McRae, Reva Rice, Horace V. Rogers, Kristopher Thompson-Bolden and Hollie E. Wright.
Nominated for eleven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, THE COLOR PURPLE opened on December 1, 2005 at the Broadway Theatre where it ran for over two record breaking years. It is based on the classic Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker and the moving film by Steven Spielberg. It is the unforgettable and inspiring story of a woman named Celie, who finds the strength to triumph over adversity, and discover her unique voice in the world. With a joyous GRAMMY-nominated score featuring gospel, jazz, pop and the blues, THE COLOR PURPLE is about hope and the healing power of love.
Michael Kuchwara, the Associated Press described THE COLOR PURPLE as “a Roof-Raising story of triumph.” And Richard Corliss of TIME Magazine said, “[it is] a soaring, epic tale. It made a joyful noise in my heart.” Elysa Gardner from USA Today raved, “Pure heart! It celebrates the inspiring relationships of faith and love, A Broadway hit!”
As on Broadway, the first North American Tour of THE COLOR PURPLE is directed by Gary Griffin. THE COLOR PURPLE features a libretto by Pulitzer Prize-winner Marsha Norman, music and lyrics by Grammy Award-winning composers/lyricists Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray, and choreography by Donald Byrd. The original creative team of Tony Award®-winner John Lee Beatty (sets), Paul Tazewell (costumes), Tony Award®-winner Brian MacDevitt (lighting), Jon Weston (sound), Jonathan Tunick (orchestrations) and Kevin Stites (Music Supervisor) was reunited for the tour.
The first North American Tour is produced by Oprah Winfrey, Scott Sanders, Roy Furman, Quincy Jones, Creative Battery, Anna Fantaci & Cheryl Lachowicz, Independent Presenters Network, Lowy Family Group, Stephanie McClelland, Gary Winnick, Jan Kallish, Nederlander Presentations, Inc., Bob and Harvey Weinstein, Andrew Asnes & Adam Zotovich and Todd Johnson.
The original cast recording is available on EMI/Angel Records, and THE COLOR PURPLE: A Memory Book of the Broadway Musical (Avalon/Carroll & Graf) is available in bookstores now. Ariel Investments is a proud sponsor of THE COLOR PURPLE.
