Photo Flash: The Color Purple in Chicago

The first North American Tour of the Broadway smash hit The Color Purple is currently receiving its premiere at Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theatre (151 W. Randolph St.), April 17 through July 22, 2007.  The show features stars of the Broadway production, Jeannette Bayardelle and Felicia P. Fields, along with Destiny's Child's Michelle Williams and "American Idol" alumna LaToya London.

The tour also features 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, among others.

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.

Visit www.colorpurple.com or www.broadwayinchicago.com for tickets and more information.

Photos by Paul Kolnik

 
Felicia P. Fields as Sofia and Stephanie St. James as Squeak, with Michelle Williams (background) as Shug Avery

Michelle Williams, Jeannette Bayardelle as Celie and the company of The Color Purple