Stephen Bray

Johnny Mercer Foundation Celebrates Success of Inaugural Songwriters Project
by Josh Sharpe - Dec 4, 2024

The Johnny Mercer Foundation (JMF) is celebrating the success of moving their annual Songwriters Project to Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn. After 17 great years at Northwestern University, JMF relocated the program in 2024 and reinvigorated it in Nashville.

THE COLOR PURPLE Songwriter Brenda Russell Releases New Single
by Josh Sharpe - Nov 25, 2024

With the release of her latest single, the soulful and sensual romance “You Know What It’s Like,” Brenda Russell makes a triumphant return to the refined classic blend of adult contemporary R&B and urban jazz. Listen to the new single from The Color Purple songwriter now.

Review: THE COLOR PURPLE at Tempe Center For The Arts
by Suzanne Whitaker - Oct 29, 2024

Phoenix Arizona’s The Black Theatre Troupe presents THE COLOR PURPLE at Tempe Center for the Arts, which opened to a full house Friday, October 15, 2024. This excellent production runs through November 3, 2024. With matinee shows on Saturdays and Sundays, as well as evening shows on Fridays and Saturdays, this production is worth seeing, twice.

Review: THE COLOR PURPLE at The Black Theatre Troupe
by Herbert Paine - Oct 29, 2024

The Black Theatre Troupe's production of THE COLOR PURPLE is a rousing and emotionally powerful show, thanks to a brilliant cast and the keen direction of Karen Davis Jones and the musical direction of Brenda Hankins.

GROW A SHOW Musical Theatre Workshop Returns To The Lied Center!
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 8, 2024

The Grow a Show Musical Theatre Workshop returns to the Lied Center, offering emerging artists a platform to develop and showcase new works.

THE COLOR PURPLE & More Set for Black Theatre Troupe 2024-25 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 6, 2024

Black Theatre Troupe has revealed its 2024-25 lineup, marking its 55th season! See full programming and learn how to purchase tickets.

THE COLOR PURPLE at Sedos Features the First Ever All-Black Cast of An Amateur Musical in the UK
by Blair Ingenthron - Jul 28, 2024

Sedos, London's leading amateur theatre company, has announced their cast of The Color Purple. This is a momentous and significant development in the diversity of amateur dramatics, not just in London but in the UK. In their 119-year history, Sedos has never had an all-Black cast nor an all-Black creative team, until now.

Review: THE COLOR PURPLE Brings All the Feels at Pittsburgh CLO
by Greg Kerestan - Jun 28, 2024

As a literature major, part of me has always found it unbelievable that tight, two-hour adaptations of Alice Walker's The Color Purple have been so successful. The novel is sprawling, complex and dense, with an epistolary structure not unlike the similarly tricky-to-adapt Dracula. Nonetheless, my structural cynicism is always proved wrong.

Arts Garage in Delray Beach is Offering Two Theatrical Productions in June
by Stephi Wild - May 22, 2024

Arts Garage will present two stirring and thought-provoking theatrical events next month. Learn more about them here!

New Village Arts Presents THE COLOR PURPLE
by A.A. Cristi - May 11, 2024

New Village Arts will present the San Diego Professional Premiere of the groundbreaking musical: THE COLOR PURPLE, based on the novel by Alice Walker.

THE COLOR PURPLE to be Presented at Arts Garage in June
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 7, 2024

Arts Garage is presenting another stirring and thought-provoking theatrical event—with general admission tickets priced at only $10 each. Learn more about The Color Purple and see how to purchase tickets.

Video: First Look At Theater Latté Da's Production Of THE COLOR PURPLE
by Joshua Wright - Apr 10, 2024

Get a first look at THE COLOR PURPLE, running now through May 5 at Theater Latté Da. Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker and adapted for the stage by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner Marsha Norman, with music and lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray, THE COLOR PURPLE is a stirring family chronicle following the inspirational Celie as she journeys from childhood through joy and despair, anguish and hope, to discover her own unique voice and place in the world.

Pittsburgh CLO Announces Three New Programs To Make Theater More Family Accessible
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 9, 2024

Pittsburgh CLO is implementing changes to make theater more accessible for families. Discover how they're removing barriers and promoting inclusivity in the world of Broadway.

Nashville Repertory Theatre's Stellar 39th Season Continues With Superb Prooduction of THE COLOR PURPLE
by Jeffrey Ellis - Apr 9, 2024

Led by a bravura performance from Carli Hardon, Nashville Repertory Theatre’s production of The Color Purple – the musical based on the beloved Alice Walker novel – is yet another extraordinary success from the professional company in the midst of its 39th season. Directed with complete self-assurance and confidence by Reggie Law, with evocative and energetic choreography by Joi Ware and the musical direction of Dion Treece that results in one of the most emphatically sung shows in Nashville Rep history.

Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival Receives Grant To Celebrate Multiple Summer Programs
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 4, 2024

The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival has received a grant from Air Products, enabling it to celebrate multiple summer programs.

World Premiere & More Set for Actors Theatre of Louisville 2024-25 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 3, 2024

Actors Theatre of Louisville has revealed its 2024-25 season. See full programming and learn how to purchase tickets.

Helen Hunt-Led BETRAYAL & More Set for Goodman Theatre 2024/25 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 3, 2024

The Goodman Theatre has revealed its 2024/25 season! See full programming and learn how to purchase tickets.

Review: THE COLOR PURPLE at Theater Latté Da
by Joe Sarafolean - Mar 24, 2024

What did our critic think of THE COLOR PURPLE at Theater Latté Da?

Review: THE COLOR PURPLE at Theater Latte Da
by Jared Fessler - Mar 24, 2024

What did our critic think of THE COLOR PURPLE at Theater Latte Da?

Pittsburgh CLO Announces WEST SIDE STORY And More For 2024 Summer Season
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 19, 2024

Pittsburgh CLO has your summer mapped out promising an array of captivating productions across the city's Cultural District. Pittsburgh CLO continues their long-standing commitment of creating Broadway caliber shows made by Pittsburgh, for Pittsburgh, and in partnership with Pittsburgh.