Theatrical Rights Worldwide & Authors Respond To Seyi Omooba's Dropping From THE COLOR PURPLE

Last Friday, on Twitter, Hamilton actor Aaron Lee Lambert shared a screenshot of a Facebook post by Oluwaseyi (Seyi) Omooba - who had just been announced as playing Celie in Leicester Curve and Birmingham Hippodrome's revival of musical The Color Purple.

In the post, which was published in 2014, Omooba discusses her interpretation of Christianity and sexuality, and offered negative views of homosexuality, saying that people can't be "born gay".

Following the controversy, as BroadwayWorld previously reported, Omooba was dropped from the production.

Now, Theatrical Rights Worldwide has released a statement of support on their behalf and that of the authors of the show, writing:

"Theatrical Rights Worldwide (TRW) acting on behalf of the authors, is the licensing representative for the musical The Color Purple. With The Color Purple, the authors have expertly crafted a musical which gracefully communicates the message of love through the journey of Celie, a downtrodden young woman whose awakening over the course of 40 years forms the arc of this epic story.

"Celie's strength sees her through the abuse and degradation of her early life to ultimately find salvation and courage through a woman's affection along with the indestructible love of her children and family. The themes of The Color Purple cross over to all races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, genders and religions.

"The decision undertaken by the Curve theatre and Birmingham Hippodrome which impacts on the uniquely identifying brand of The Color Purple has the full support and endorsement of TRW and the authors."

Omooba, whose recent credits include that National Theatre's Hadestown and Regent's Park Open Air's Little Shop of Horrors, has yet to comment.