The Color Purple 2005

Run Time:
Two hours and 40 minutes with one intermission
Opened: December 1, 2005
Closing: February 24, 2008

The Color Purple - 2005 - Broadway History , Info & More

Based on the novel by Alice Walker and the Warner Brothers/Amblin Entertainment film

A teenager gives birth to two of her father's children and then is married off to a man who sought her sister. The man convinces the sisters' father to separate the two and makes sure they never communicate by intercepting letters between them. Abused and alone, the heroine struggles to find her identity and love.

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'Color Purple' Tour Begins in Pittsburgh
by BWW News Desk - March 26, 2008

Oprah Winfrey, Scott Sanders and the producing team of the Broadway smash hit The Color Purple are proud to announce that tickets for the first North American Touring production of The Color Purple in Pittsburgh will go on sale Monday, April 7, 2008 at 9 a.m. The Color Purple will run for two-weeks as part of the Pittsburgh CLO's 2008 Summer Season June 3 - June 15, 2008 at the Benedum Center.

BWW TV: Color Purple's Stephanie St James Raises Awareness
by James Sims - March 26, 2008

Following a personal battle with the disease Endometriosis, The Color Purple's Stephanie St. James is now actively raising awareness of the serious condition that often goes undiagnosed in women and girls. BroadwayWorld's own James Sims spoke with St. James at Sterling's Upstairs at Vitello's, speaking to the actress about The Color Purple as well as giving her an opportunity to address her personal struggles as March is Endometriosis Awareness Month.

Photo Coverage: Chaka Khan Portrait Unveiled at Tony's
by Peter James Zielinski - February 22, 2008

BWW TV Exclusive: Look Back at Composing The Color Purple
by James Sims - February 18, 2008

With the production coming to a close in New York, BroadwayWorld's own James Sims caught up with The Color Purple's composers/lyricits Allee Willis and Stephen Bray, in Los Angeles, to discuss how the pair, along with Brenda Russell and Marsha Norman (libretto), turned a Pulitzer Prize winning novel and Oscar nominated film into a Broadway musical...

Angela Robinson is Shug while Withers-Mendes is On-Leave
by BWW News Desk - January 29, 2008

Original The Color Purple Broadway cast member, Elisabeth Withers-Mendes, who has played the role of Shug Avery since the musical began performances at the Broadway Theatre in November 2005 and throughout its entire record-breaking run, will begin a hiatus from the role on Thursday, January 31, 2008. The Tony nominated actress will return to the role for the final two performances of The Color Purple on Sunday, February 24, 2008. Beginning on Friday, February 1, 2008, Angela Robinson assumes the role of Shug Avery while Withers-Mendes is on leave.

'The Color Purple' Fades, to Close on Broadway Feb.24
by BWW News Desk - January 24, 2008

The producers of The Color Purple announced today that the show will play its final performance on Sunday, February 24, 2008 at 7:30pm, after playing 30 preview performances and 910 regular performances at the Broadway Theatre.

Photo Coverage: 'The Color Purple' with Khan & Winans Bows & Reception
by Walter McBride - January 10, 2008

Zonya Love made her Broadway debut as Celie, alongside recording-stars Chaka Khan as Sofia and BeBe Winans as Harpo yesterday, Wednesday January 9, 2008, in the smash hit musical 'The Color Purple' with LaKisha Jones, and produced by Oprah Winfrey.

Photo Coverage: 'The Color Purple' with Khan & Winans Arrivals
by Walter McBride - January 10, 2008

Zonya Love made her Broadway debut as Celie, alongside recording-stars Chaka Khan as Sofia and BeBe Winans as Harpo yesterday, Wednesday January 9, 2008, in the smash hit musical The Color Purple.

Love, Khan & Winans Debut in 'The Color Purple' Jan.9
by BWW News Desk - January 8, 2008

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

Zonya Love Debuts as Celie in 'Purple' Jan.9 with Chaka Khan, Winans & Jones
by BWW News Desk - December 19, 2007

The producers of The Color Purple are pleased to announce that Zonya Love will make her Broadway debut as Celie in the smash hit musical starting Wednesday, January 9, 2008, alongside Chaka Khan as Sofia and BeBe Winans as Harpo.

Photo Coverage: Los Angeles Opening Night of 'Color Purple'
by James Sims - December 18, 2007

The Color Purple opened at Center Theatre Group's Ahmanson Theatre December 16th, bringing the National Tour to Los Angeles for the holiday season, running through March 9, 2008...

'Color Purple' Strikes Soulful Chord
by James Sims - December 18, 2007

Transforming such a momentous story into a staged musical, as bookwriter Marsha Norman has done with The Color Purple, could not have been an easy task. What has ended up on stage more closely resembles a Disney spin on history, rather than a gritty realization of historical abuse. Yet, it strikes a soulful chord with a gospel and jazz aged sensibility, giving the musical an otherwise absent poignant heartbeat.

Photo Coverage: 'The Color Purple' Christmas Party
by Walter McBride - December 10, 2007

Producer Scott Sanders hosted a Christmas Party for the cast of The Color Purple at his Chelsea loft apartment on Saturday, December 8.

'Color Purple' Stars Fantasia, Chaka & BeBe Earn 6 Grammy Nominations
by BWW News Desk - December 6, 2007

The current and upcoming stars of The Color Purple have collectively received an unprecedented 6 Grammy Award nominations today, Thursday December 6, 2007.

Oprah to Produce 'Color Purple' Musical Movie?
by BWW News Desk - December 5, 2007

The LA Times reports Oprah Winfrey, legendary American talk-show host and producer of Broadway's The Color Purple, may be planning a stage-to-screen adaptation of the hit musical production.

Photo Coverage: 'The Color Purple' Stage Door Post-Strike
by Ben Strothmann - November 30, 2007

The cast of The Color Purple returned to the Broadway Theatre (1681 Broadway) after nearly 3-weeks of work-stoppage due to the stagehands' strike.

Champion Charities Benefit Night at 'The Color Purple' 12/8
by Eugene Lovendusky - October 30, 2007

Champion Charities will host the 4th Annual 'Night at the Theatre' with Oprah Winfrey's The Color Purple on Saturday, December 8.

Photo Flash: 'The Color Purple' Tour in San Francisco
by BWW - October 11, 2007

The West Coast premiere of Oprah Winfrey's new musical, The Color Purple began performances at San Francisco's Orpheum Theatre October 9, running through Sunday, December 9.

Chaka Khan Turns 'Purple' with Winans & Jones Winter 2008
by BWW News Desk - September 26, 2007

The producers of The Color Purple are pleased to announce that legendary eight-time Grammy Award winner Chaka Khan, four-time Grammy Award winner and gospel singer BeBe Winans, and 2007 'American Idol' finalist LaKisha Jones will make their Broadway debuts in the smash hit musical starting Wednesday, January 9, 2008, at the Broadway Theatre

'The Color Purple' LA Tour Tickets On-Sale 9/23, Opens 12/13
by BWW News Desk - September 20, 2007

The Color Purple, The Musical about Love, announces that tickets will go on sale Sunday, September 23 at 11AM for the Los Angeles engagement of the first North American touring production at the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre at the Los Angeles Music Center for 12 weeks only, December 13, 2007, through March 9, 2008.

BWW TV: Jeannette Bayardelle of 'The Color Purple'
by BWW Staff - September 13, 2007

Michael J. Roberts interviews Jeannette Bayardelle, the star of Oprah Winfrey presents The Color Purple at the Cadillac Palace Theatre in Chicago.

The Color Purple FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the songs are in The Color Purple and what's the order?
Huckelberry Pie
Mysterious Ways
Somebody Gonna Love You
Our Prayer
Big Dog
Hell No!
Brown Betty
Shug Avery Comin' to Town
Too Beautiful for Words
Push Da Button
Uh-Oh!
What About Love?
African Homeland
The Color Purple
Mister's Song
Miss Celie's Pants
Any Little Thing
I'm Here
Overture
What productions of The Color Purple have there been?
The Color Purple has had 8 productions including New York which opened in 2004, which opened in 2004, New York which opened in 2005, Broadway which opened in 2005, Broadway which opened in 2005, US Tour which opened in 2007, Broadway which opened in 2015 and US Tour which opened in 2017.
What Tony Awards has The Color Purple been nominated for?
Best Musical , , Best Book of a Musical for Marsha Norman, Best Choreography for Donald Byrd, Best Costume Design of a Musical for Paul Tazewell, Best Lighting Design of a Musical for Brian MacDevitt, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre for Brenda Russell, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre for Allee WillisBest Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre for Stephen Bray and Best Scenic Design of a Musical for John Lee Beatty.
What awards has The Color Purple been nominated for?
The Color Purple has been nominated for several awards, including Outstanding Broadway Musical, Outstanding New Score, and Outstanding Set Design at the Outer Critics Circle Awards. Additionally, Felicia P. Fields and Elisabeth Withers-Mendes received nominations for Performance at the Theatre World Awards.
What awards has The Color Purple won?
The Color Purple has won several awards, including Outstanding Broadway Musical, Outstanding New Score, and Outstanding Set Design from the Outer Critics Circle Awards. Additionally, Felicia P. Fields and Elisabeth Withers-Mendes received Performance awards from the Theatre World Awards.

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