National Tour of The Color Purple Begins in Chicago, 4/17

The first North American Tour of the Broadway hit The Color Purple will premiere at Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theatre (151 W. Randolph St.) for a limited engagement beginning April 17, 2007.  The first North American Tour of The Color Purple will star Chicago native Felicia P. Fields, who will reprise her Tony Award-nominated role of Sofia.  Additional casting will be announced shortly.  As on Broadway, the show will be directed by Chicago native Gary Griffin.  

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.

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.

Tickets range in price from $28 to $85 and are on sale at the Broadway In Chicago Box Offices (151 W. Randolph St., 24 W. Randolph St. and 18 W. Monroe St.), by calling Ticketmaster at (312) 902-1400, online at www.BroadwayInChicago.com, and at all Ticketmaster ticket centers (including all Carson Pirie Scott stores, Tower Records, Hot Tix, select Coconuts and fye stores).  Groups of 20 or more call (312) 977-1710.  For more information, go to www.BroadwayInChicago.com. 

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

Photo - Felicia P. Fields