'Purple' Opens Calls for Bway and Tour Held Nov. 28

On Tuesday, November 28th, the producers of the hit musical The Color Purple will hold an open casting call for current roles and future replacements for both Broadway and the upcoming national tour, kicking off at Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theatre in April, 2007.

They are seeking males and females to play principal and ensemble roles, 20s-50s.  All types and singing ranges are welcomed to audition although they must, according to a show release, "have fantastic singing voices and dynamic personalities."

The open call will take place at Harlem's Famed Apollo Theatre, located at 253 West 125th Street.  They will be held from 11 am to 4 pm.  Sign-in begins at 10 am, and auditioners must sign in no later than 3 pm.

The Color Purple, based on Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, currently features Jeannette Bayardelle, Felicia P. Fields, and Brandon Victor Dixon, Darlesia Cearcy/>, Alton Fitzgerald White, Krisha Marcano/> and Larry Marshal.  The musical--of which Oprah Winfrey/> is one of the producers--opened at the Broadway Theatre on December 1st, 2005.

The Color Purple is directed by Gary Griffin/>, while Marsha Norman/> (Pulitzer Prize-winner for 'night, Mother, The Secret Garden) wrote the book. The show's eclectic score, which blends gospel, pop, ragtime and blues, was penned by pop tunesmiths Brenda Russell/>, Allee Willis/> and Stephen Bray/>. Donald Byrd/> is The Color Purple's choreographer, while the design team design team comprises John Lee Beatty (sets), Paul Tazewell (costumes), Brian MacDevitt (lighting), and Jon Weston (sound). Orchestrations were provided by Jonathan Tunick/>, Kevin Stites/> is the music supervisor and Linda Twine the musical director.

For additional information, go to www.colorpurple.com