Bayardelle, Williams, London Set for Color Purple Tour

A starry cast has been assembled for the upcoming national tour of the Broadway hit The Color Purple, which will begin at Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theatre on April 17th, running through July 22nd.

Joining the previously announced Felicia P. Fields as Sofia will be recent Broadway cast member Jeannette Bayardelle as Celie and Destiny's Child singer Michelle Williams as Shug Avery.  Former "American Idol" finalist LaToya London has been cast as Nettie. 

Bayardelle comes to the tour directly from the Broadway production as the lead character Celie.  She released her debut CD "Praise Report" in 2005, and has toured in productions of Big River, Rent and Sister Act.  She joins her Broadway cast-mate and native Chicagoan Felicia P. Fields, who originated the role of Sofia, for which she received a Tony Award nomination. Fields has received numerous awards and nominations for her work on and Off-Broadway, and in Chicago. 

Michelle Williams, another Chicago native and former member of Destiny's Child - one of the best-selling female groups of all time - has been cast in the role of Shug Avery.  Destiny's Child saw combined record sales of over 40 million records and has received much industry awards and accolades for their many platinum and gold recordings.  Following Destiny's Child, Williams launched a successful solo career as an inspirational/gospel recording artist, and also starred on Broadway, as the love-crossed Nubian princess in Elton John and Tim Rice's hit musical Aida.  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;" along side Jennifer Hudson and Fantasia Barrino (who was recently cast as Celie in the Broadway production, which she joins on April 10th).

The tour will also feature Rufus Bonds, Jr. as Mister, Stu James as Harpo, Stephanie St. James as Squeak, Lynette Dupree, Kimberly Ann Harris and Virginia Ann Woodruff as the Church Ladies, Bridgette Bentley as the Church Soloist, and Adam Wade as Ol' Mister, with an ensemble comprised of Shani Borden, Brian H. Brooks, Renee Monique Brown, Tiffany Daniels, Quentin Earl Darrington, Kellen Davis, Lesley Terrell Donald, Andre Garner, Dameka Hayes, LaTonya Holmes, Jenna Ford Jackson, Trent Armand Kendall, Grasan Kingsberry, Keith Byron Kirk, Rhett George, Corrine McFarlane, Sumayah McRae, Anthony Wayne and Mariama Whyte.

The Color Purple opened on Broadway on December 1, 2005, at the Broadway Theatre and received 11 Tony Award nominations including Best Musical.  The musical is based on the classic Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker and the moving film by Steven Spielberg.  "It is an inspiring and unforgettable story of a woman, who, through love, finds the strength to triumph over adversity and discover her unique voice in the world," state press notes.

The show features a book 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 John Lee Beatty (sets), Paul Tazewell (costumes), Brian MacDevitt (lighting), Jon Weston (sound), Jonathan Tunick (orchestrations) and Kevin Stites (Music Supervisor) has been 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, and is produced in special association with AEG Live.

The original cast recording is available on EMI/Angel Records.  Visit www.colorpurple.com for more information.