THE COLOR PURPLE Begins Tonight at Red House Arts Center

Red House Arts Center will present The Color Purple with music and lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis, and Stephen Bray and book by Marsha Norman. Based on the Pulitzer Prize winning novel by Alice Walker, this incredibly moving musical tells the story of a young woman who manages to triumph over adversity and find her own voice through the power of love. The show opens at Redhouse on December 5th and runs through December 20th.

This production is part of The Redhouse Theatre Experience Program which is based in the theatrical tradition of mentorship and apprenticeship. The production combines professional actors, designers, and directors working as mentors to regional artists and targeted underserved community performers. The cast includes students from Hillside Family of Agencies, Community Folk Arts Center, and Syracuse City School District.

The production also includes a team of Redhouse veterans with Set Design by Tim Brown, Light Design by Chuan -Chi Chan, Sound Design by Tony Vadala, Choreography by Erin Lafferty and Katishma Grey, and Costume Design by Katherine Tarkulich. Stephen Svoboda directs and Patrick Burns is the Musical Director conducting eleven musicians in the live band. Returning to Redhouse to join the cast are Joan Anderson who played Dorothy in The Wiz! and Debra Thais Evans who played Motor Mouth Mabel in HairSpray. Other NYC actors include Carl Clemons Hopkins, Briana Maia, and Lindsey Warren. Local actors include Stephfond Brunson (Music Man), Ryan Johnson Travis ( TheTempest), Max Anderson (Tarzan), Brendan Ellis (Tarzan), and Tamar Smithers (Music Man).

Redhouse will also be holding a Talk Back Series in conjunction with The Color Purple featuring panel led discussions with the following community partners: Ryan Travis Director of The Paul Robeson Performing Arts Company, Jill Catherine of 44 Hearts and Ophelia's Place, Shiann Brown of R.A.P., Inc., Loren Cunningham and George Kilpatrick of Vera House, Jessica Baratta of Hillside, Omanii Abdullah, Bethaida Gonzalez, Loren Cunningham and Dr. Lonel Woods.

Event tickets are $15-$30. Tickets can be bought online at www.theredhouse.org, by calling the Redhouse Box Office at 315-362-2785, and at the door.Wednesday and Thursday tickets $25/$15 Friday and Saturday tickets are $30/$20.

When: December 4, 7:30pm- Preview, December 5, 8:00pm- Opening Night, Dec 6, 2:00pm and 8:00pm, December 10, 11, at 7:30pm and December 12 at 8pm, December 13, 2pm and 8pm, December 17 and 18 at 7:30pm, December 19 at 8:00pm, December 20 at 2pm and 8pm, Wed and Thursday $25/$15 members, Friday and Saturday $30/$20members. Student Ticket: $15 with student ID. Tickets can be bought online at www.theredhouse.org, or by calling the Redhouse Box Office at 315.362.2785, and at the door. Student Ticket: $15 with student ID.

About Red House Arts Center: Red House Arts Center is a nonprofit, multi-arts organization dedicated to the production and presentation of interdisciplinary works, new theatre, music, visual art, and is a regional provider of community based arts education. Red House supports the creative process by providing a unique platform for regional, national and international artistic expressions. Through our public programs and community engagement initiatives, Red House aims to stimulate cultural activities and contribute to community development throughout Central New York. For more information visit www.theredhouse.org.

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