Love, Khan & Winans Debut in 'The Color Purple' Jan.9

Zonya Love makes her Broadway debut as Celie, alongside recording-stars Chaka Khan as Sofia and BeBe Winans as Harpo Wednesday January 9, 2008, in the smash hit musical The Color Purple. Additionally LaKisha Jones ("American Idol") currently playing the role of the Church Soloist, assumes the role of Sofia at all matinee performances.

Zonya Love (Celie) originally hailing from Durham, North Carolina, intended to pursue a music career but switched to theater as a freshman in high school.  She received a BFA in Theatre from North Carolina A&T State University, and a MFA in Theatre from The University of Nevada Las Vegas.

The Color Purple began its third year at the Broadway Theatre (1681 Broadway) on November 1, 2007 and also stars Elisabeth Withers-Mendes as Shug Avery, Alton Fitzgerald White as Mister and Krisha Marcano as Squeak. Montego Glover will begin as Nettie on January 9th.

The Color Purple recouped its entire $11 million investment in less than a year.  The Color Purple 's first North American Tour kicked off in Chicago on April 17, 2007 at The Cadillac Palace Theatre where it played through September 30, 2007.  The tour continued on to San Francisco and is currently playing at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, with future dates confirmed for Tempe, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Baltimore and Philadelphia.

The Color Purple 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 performance schedule for The Color Purple on Broadway is:  Wednesday through Saturday at 8PM; Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 2PM; Sunday at 7:30PM.  Tickets for The Color Purple can be purchased via Telecharge.com or call (212) 239-6200 or at The Broadway Theatre Box Office.  Tickets are $26.50 - $116.50.

More Articles by This Author...