South Bend Civic Center Stages THE COLOR PURPLE, Now thru 9/15

A vibrant saga of one woman's triumph over adversity to discovery and love is the heart of this powerful musical based on the celebrated novel and beloved film. Infusing gospel, jazz, African, and blues styles, this musical will touch your heart as you follow Celie on her journey of personal awakening over a lifetime of struggle.

The Color Purple is a Broadway musical based upon the novel "The Color Purple" by Alice Walker. It features music and lyrics written by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray, with a book by Marsha Norman. It ran on Broadway in 2005 and has been touring throughout the US. The Broadway production earned eleven 2006 Tony Awards nominations.

The story follows the life and struggles of Celie, a woman who is searching for answers, while struggling to maintain her faith and desperately looking for human connections. Along Celie's journey we are introduced to characters which make us laugh, cry, love, and hate in a struggle of one woman's journey to find love. The Color Purple features new music which will at times have the audience dancing on their feet, and at other times weeping in their chairs.

Co-Directors Joshua Napierkowski and Quinton McMutuary with Music Director James Douglas lead a fine ensemble cast: Alex Adams, Troi Adams, Dhazia T. Agnew, Wilette Alford, Ron Bishop, Kasey Bridges, Kennedi Bridges, Dorea Britton, Pierre Cooks, Jordian Cooper, Jasmine Dennie, Brandi Franklin, Natonya Gathright, Makeda Grier, Sierra Henderson, Terrell Jackson, Jevon Johnson, Tabreon Johnson, Tamryn Johnson, Laurisa LeSure, Sheila LeSure, LaDaja Lilbert, Ben Little, Michele Love-Moore, Travis Mayer, Laverne McMutuary, Quinton McMutuary, Danyua Miller, Tanisha Miller, Eula Milon, Clara J. Ross, Ebone Shane, David Smith, Andre Spathelf-Sanders, Simone Swanson, Delshawn Taylor, and Danae Watson.

Production dates for The Color Purple are tonight, September 6-15 in the Wilson Mainstage Auditorium at South Bend Civic Theatre, 403 N. Main Street in South Bend. Performances times are 8:00 PM, Friday and Saturday evenings, 7:30 PM Wednesday and Thursday, 3:00 PM Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $21 Friday, Saturday and Sunday, $18 Wednesday and Thursday. For tickets call 574-234-1112 or go online at www.sbct.org. Sponsors for the production are Villing and Company, the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County and NIPSCO.

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