The Color Purple

Due to popular demand, the first North American Tour of the Broadway smash hit The Color Purple will add four final weeks to its Chicago engagement at the Cadillac Palace Theatre before moving to San Francisco.  Tickets for a new block of performances from September 5 – 30, 2007 will go on sale Friday, July 20 at 10 am.  The Color Purple‘s final Chicago performance will be Sunday, September 30.

The Color Purple, which launched its North American Tour in Chicago on April 17, 2007, features stars of the Broadway production, Jeannette Bayardelle and Felicia P. Fields, along with Destiny’s Child’s Michelle Williams and American Idol alum LaToya London. 

Jeannette Bayardelle comes to the tour directly from the Broadway production as the lead character Celie.  Jeannette released her debut CD Praise Report in 2005, and has toured in productions of Big River, Rent and Sister Act.  She joins her Broadway cast-mate and native Chicagoan Felicia P. Fields, who originated the role of Sofia, for which she received a Tony Award® nomination. Felicia has received numerous awards and nominations for her work on and Off-Broadway, and in Chicago.  Michelle Williams, another Chicago-area native and former member of Destiny’s Child - one of the best-selling female groups of all time – plays the role of Shug Avery.  Destiny’s Child saw combined record sales of over 40 million records and has received enumerable industry awards and accolades for their many platinum and gold recordings.  Following Destiny’s Child, Michelle launched a successful solo career as an inspirational/gospel recording artist, and also starred on Broadway, as the love-crossed Nubian princess in Elton John and Tim Rice’s hit musical Aida.  Celie’s sister Nettie is played by LaToya London.  ‘London’ was named the early front runner to win season three of American Idol by Simon Cowell and Elton John.  On air she joined the ranks of the aptly named “Three Divas;” along side Jennifer Hudson and Fantasia (who was recently cast as Celie in the Broadway production).

Nominated for eleven Tony Awards®, including Best Musical, The Color Purple opened December 1, 2005 at the Broadway Theatre where it continues its record breaking run.  It is based on the classic Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker and the moving film by Steven Spielberg.  It is the unforgettable and inspiring story of a woman named Celie, who finds the strength to triumph over adversity, and discover her unique voice in the world.  With a joyous GRAMMY®-nominated score featuring gospel, jazz, pop and the blues, The Color Purple is about hope and the healing power of love. 

As on Broadway, the first North American Tour of The Color Purple is directed by Gary Griffin.  The Color Purple features a libretto by Pulitzer Prize-winner Marsha Norman, music and lyrics by Grammy Award®-winning composers/lyricists Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray, and choreography by Donald Byrd

A new block of tickets for performances September 5- 30, 2007 will go on sale Friday, July 20 at 10 am.  Tickets are currently on sale through September 2, 2007.  Tickets for The Color Purple range in price from $30 to $90.  A limited number of VIP seats are available at $125. Tickets are on sale at the Broadway In Chicago Box Offices (151 W. Randolph St., 24 W. Randolph St. and 18 W. Monroe St.), by calling Ticketmaster at (312) 902-1400, online at www.BroadwayInChicago.com, and at all Ticketmaster ticket centers (including Carson Pirie Scott stores, Hot Tix, select Coconuts and fye stores).