Milwaukee Rep's THE COLOR PURPLE Opens Tonight

Milwaukee Repertory Theater's 2014/15 Quadracci Powerhouse Season kicks off in grand style with an uplifting production of The Color Purple. This hit musical, based on Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, will be directed by Artistic Director Mark Clements, who reunites with the same creative team behind last season's wildly successful hit production of Ragtime. This will be the fifth musical that Clements has directed at The Rep.

Called "inspirational" by The New York Times and "soaring and joyful" by Time Magazine, The Color Purple is an unforgettable story, spanning four decades, about a woman who triumphs over adversity and discovers her own unique voice in the world. With a joyous Grammy-nominated score featuring jazz, ragtime, gospel, and blues, The Color Purple captures the hearts of young and old, and reminds us that "it only takes a grain of love to make a mighty tree." The Color Purple runs in the Quadracci Powerhouse from September 23 - November 2, 2014 and opens tonight, September 26.

"We are thrilled to kick off our 2014/15 Season in the Quadracci Powerhouse with the award-winning musical The Color Purple and share it with Milwaukee audiences," says Artistic Director Mark Clements. "The show has incredible music in it with a wonderful score performed by live musicians; and our production will feature a multi-talented cast of 27 actors. The Color Purple is an inspiring, epic story of a family, and a testament to the healing power of love and a celebration of life. The soul-stirring music, vivid characters, strong message of hope, women's empowerment and the power of the human spirit, will make this what we believe will be an unforgettable experience at the theater."

Clements added, "The Color Purple is a powerful story of redemption and we need to hear these stories, especially in these challenging times that we live in. My hope as a theater maker is that by offering this play to the Milwaukee community we can continue to have thought-provoking conversations with our audiences about the deeper themes explored in the play. We have many fascinating panel discussions scheduled around this production and we hope that our audiences will join us in these forums. I believe meaningful conversations around the work we do in the theater can be a first step in creating positive change in our community."

The cast for The Color Purple includes: Broadway veterans Allyson Kaye Daniel, Zonya Love, and Nathaniel Stampley. Returning to The Rep are Melody Betts, Jonathan Butler-Duplessis, Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Jessie Hooker, Malkia Stampley, and Bethany Thomas. Making their Rep debuts are Gilbert L. Bailey II, Darryl Reuben Hall, Vanessa A. Jones-DuBose, Christina Acosta Robinson, Alexis J. Rogers, Leonard E. Sullivan, and Stephanie Umoh. 2014/15 Artistic Intern Ensemble Members featured include: India Gurley, Taurean Hogan, Jennifer Latimore, and Vallea E. Woodbury. The children's cast includes Izayah Briggs, Zuri McGowan, Chantae Miller, Nya, Esther O'Brien, Maya O'Day-Biddle, and Braylen Stevens.

The Color Purple is presented by BMO Private Bank. The Executive Producers for this production are James E. and Mary K. Braza, Jackie Herd-Barber and Michael Barber. The production is also receiving additional support provided by City of Milwaukee Arts Board, Visit Milwaukee and Woo Connections. The Media Sponsor for this production is Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and the Media Partner is Shepherd Express. The Quadracci Powerhouse Season is sponsored by H. Richard Quadracci Ewens and Emilio Cabrera in memory of Harry and Betty Quadracci.

Tickets for The Color Purple begin at $30.00. Single Tickets for all of Milwaukee Repertory Theater's 2014/15 productions are now on sale and can be purchased online 24/7 at www.MilwaukeeRep.com, through The Rep's Ticket Office by calling 414-224-9490 or in person at 108 E. Wells Street. Group tickets are also available for purchase by calling Group Sales Manager Joy Surber at 414-290-5340.

To learn more about The Rep or its productions, please visit www.MilwaukeeRep.com.

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