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The Color Purple (musical)

The Color Purple is a musical with music and lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis, and Stephen Bray, and a book by Marsha Norman, based on the 1982 novel of the same name by Alice Walker and its 1985 film adaptation. The musical follows the journey of Celie, an African American woman in the American South from the early to mid-20th century.

The Color Purple
Original Broadway promotional poster
Music
Lyrics
  • Brenda Russell
  • Allee Willis
  • Stephen Bray
BookMarsha Norman
Basis
Productions2005 Broadway
2007 Chicago
2007 First U.S. tour
2010 Second U.S. tour
2012 Third U.S. tour
2013 Off West End
2015 Broadway revival
2017 Fourth U.S. tour
Awards2016 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical
2016 Drama League Award for Outstanding Revival of a Musical
2017 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album

The original Broadway production ran from 2005 to 2008, earning eleven Tony Award nominations in 2006. An enthusiastically acclaimed Broadway revival opened in late 2015 and ran through early 2017, winning two 2016 Tony Awards—including Best Revival of a Musical.

A film adaptation of the musical is currently slated for a December 25, 2023 release.

Productions edit

Workshop and world premiere (2004–2005) edit

The Color Purple was originally workshopped by the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia, in the summer of 2004 following Scott Sanders' optioning the work from Alice Walker in 1999 and auditioning various creative team members. The September 9, 2004, world premiere of the musical was produced by the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta by special arrangement with Creative Battery and Scott Sanders Productions.

For the Atlanta run, LaChanze starred as Celie, Felicia P. Fields as Sofia, Saycon Sengbloh as Nettie, Adriane Lenox as Shug and Kingsley Leggs as Mister. Gary Griffin staged the work, with scenic design by John Lee Beatty, lighting by Brian MacDevitt, costumes by Paul Tazewell and sound by Jon Weston.[1][2]

Broadway (2005–2008) edit

The musical opened on Broadway at The Broadway Theatre on December 1, 2005. It was directed by Gary Griffin, produced by Scott Sanders, Quincy Jones and Oprah Winfrey, with choreography by Donald Byrd and musical direction by Linda Twine. The musical closed on February 24, 2008, after 30 previews and 910 regular performances. The production recouped its $11 million investment within its first year on Broadway, and had grossed over $103 million by the time it closed.[3]

The original Broadway production starred LaChanze as Celie, Brandon Victor Dixon as Harpo, Felicia P. Fields as Sofia, Renée Elise Goldsberry as Nettie, Kingsley Leggs as Mister, Krisha Marcano as Squeak, and Elisabeth Withers-Mendes as Shug Avery.

First national tour (2007–2010) edit

Chicago (2007) edit

The First National tour began on April 17, 2007, starting with an extended run at the Cadillac Palace Theatre in Chicago, Illinois. The company includes LaToya London as Nettie, Michelle Williams as Shug Avery, Felicia P. Fields as Sofia, and Jeannette Bayardelle as Celie, Stephanie St. James as Squeak. Bayardelle and Fields both are reprising their roles from Broadway. The show exceeded expectations, which necessitated a four-week extension of its Chicago engagement until September 30, 2007.[4] The original expectation was that the show would run in Chicago until November.[5] In all, the show produced respectable business results bringing in about $1 million per week for the first half of the engagement, but less during the summer months when the ticket prices were reduced to $39.50 to keep the theater full.[6]

Chicago was notable as a starting point of the national tour because Oprah Winfrey, a 1986 Academy Awards nominee in the film adaptation[7] is a Chicago resident.[8][9] In addition, Felicia Fields is a Chicago native and resident. It was also a homecoming for Gary Griffin. Both Fields and Griffin made their broadway theatre debuts with this musical.[10] As a result of the Chicago connections the Chicago premiere had a star-studded red carpet with Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, Jesse Jackson, R. Kelly, and Roger Ebert.[11] Others in attendance included United States Senator Carol Moseley Braun and Christie Hefner.[12] Coverage of the Chicago premiere was prominent in international media.[13]

Second national tour (2010–2011) edit

A second national tour with a new non-Equity cast opened on March 12, 2010 at the Lyric Opera House and visited numerous US cities, making several return engagements. The role of Celie was played by Detroit native Dayna Jarae Dantzler. The role of Shug Avery was played by New Orleans native Taprena Augustine. Tour stops include Omaha, Nashville, Fort Lauderdale, Mobile, Durham, and more.[14][15] Due to an overwhelming demand, the tour returned to New Orleans where it played a 5-show limited-engagement at the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts from February 11–13, 2011.[16] In August 2010, Oprah Winfrey announced the traveling company of The Color Purple would be raising funds for the relief organization SBP along with the novel's author, Alice Walker.[17]

Third national tour (2012) edit

A third national tour with a non-Equity cast opened January 17, 2012 at the Francis Marion University PAC, in Florence, South Carolina, with previews in New Haven, CT at the Schubert Theater. The role of Celie is played by Washington, D.C. native Ashley L. Ware, and Taprena Augustine has reprised her role as Shug Avery alongside Dayna Marie Quincy taking the role of Nettie (later taking the role of Celie at Toby's Dinner Theatre in Columbia). Tour stops include Nevada (Las Vegas & Reno), Alabama (Mobile), Pennsylvania (Williamsport, Reading & Bloomsburg), and more.[15]

London production (2013) edit

A first international production, directed by John Doyle, opened in London at The Menier Chocolate Factory on July 17, 2013. The limited run ended on September 14, 2013. The cast included Cynthia Erivo (Celie), Nicola Hughes (Shug) and Christopher Colquhoun (Mister/Albert).[18]

Broadway revival (2015–2017) edit

On January 9, 2015, producers Scott Sanders, Roy Furman, and Oprah Winfrey announced that the Menier Chocolate Factory production would be mounted on Broadway. Jennifer Hudson would make her Broadway debut in the role of Shug, Danielle Brooks would play the role of Sofia, and Cynthia Erivo would reprise her role as Celie. Kyle Jean-Baptiste was slated to be in it as well, but he died in a fall on August 29, 2015.[19][20] Previews began November 10, 2015, with the official opening being December 10 at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre.[21][22][23] Erivo won the 2016 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical, with the production taking home the 2016 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical.[24] The production closed on January 8, 2017 after 33 previews and 449 performances.[25]

South Africa (2018) edit

The first major international staging of the musical since the Broadway revival, opened in Johannesburg, South Africa on February 4, 2018.[26]

Netherlands (2018) edit

The first translated production of The Color Purple opened on the 16th of April in Amsterdam at the NDSM wharf visited by the Queen of the Netherlands. This production was produced by Opus One and translated and directed by Koen van Dijk. The limited engagement will be followed by a tour in the autumn through several theatres in the Netherlands. It opened to positive reviews and starred newcomer Naomi van der Linden as Celie, Ana Milva Gomes as Shug Avery, Jeannine de la Rose as Sofia, Edwin Jonker as Mister and Carlos de Vries as Harpo.

Leicester and Birmingham (2019) edit

A new co-production between Curve, Leicester and Birmingham Hippodrome opened in Leicester on June 28, 2019 before transferring to Birmingham on July 16, 2019. The production was directed by Tinuke Craig with T'Shan Williams as Celie, Karen Mavundukure as Sofia, Joanna Francis as Shug and Ako Mitchell as Mister.[27]

Canada (2019) edit

The Canadian premiere of The Color Purple opened in Halifax, Nova Scotia Neptune Theatre (Halifax) on April 9, 2019. The production is directed by Kimberley Rampersad the first African-Canadian and female to helm the show.[28]

Brazil (2019) edit

The Brazilian production of the musical opened in Rio de Janeiro from September 6 to November 3, 2019,[29] before transferring to São Paulo from December 6, 2019 to February 16, 2020.[30] The production was directed by Tadeu Aguiar.[31]

Synopsis edit

Act I edit

On a Sunday morning in 1909, fourteen-year-old Celie – who has had one child by her father Alphonso and is now pregnant with her second – plays a clapping game with her younger sister Nettie ("Huckleberry Pie"). While attending services with the other members of their rural Georgia community, Celie goes into labor and is dragged out of the church as the congregation quietly looks on ("Mysterious Ways"). After Celie gives birth to a son, her father takes the child away and bluntly tells her he is going to get rid of it like the last one. Celie quietly says goodbye to her newborn and asks God for a sign ("Somebody Gonna Love You").

Four years later, local farmer and widower Albert "Mister" Johnson approaches Alphonso and asks permission to marry one of his daughters. Alphonso agrees, offering him Celie, instead of Nettie, and throwing a cow into the bargain. Although the girls promise never to be separated, Celie goes with Mister to save Nettie's dreams of becoming a teacher ("Our Prayer"). The local Church Ladies cluck their approval ("That Fine Mister") while Mister's field hands introduce Celie to a life of hard work ("Big Dog").

One day, Nettie arrives, explaining that she is tired of Alphonso's lecherous attentions and asking if she can stay. Mister agrees, but later attacks Nettie while she is walking to school. She fights back, prompting Mister to kick her out ("Mister / Nettie"). Celie protests, but Mister swears they will never see each other again. As she leaves Mister's property, Nettie promises to write to Celie. But when she goes to the mailbox the next day, Mister slams the mailbox shut, threatening to kill her if he ever sees her touch it ("Lily of the Field").

In 1920, Mister's son Harpo brings home Sofia, a strong-willed woman whom he later marries ("Dear God - Sofia"). When he complains that he is tired of Sofia bossing him around, Mister and Celie tell him the only way to get her to listen is to beat her. Harpo attempts to do so but ends up being beaten by Sofia ("A Tree Named Sofia"). After confronting Celie, Sofia learns the extent of Mister's cruelty and tells Celie to stand up for herself before leaving home to spend time with her sisters ("Hell No!").

Harpo decides to turn his house into a juke joint and engages in an affair with a waitress named Squeak, who moves in with him ("Brown Betty"). Sometime later, the community prepares for the arrival of jazz singer Shug Avery, who is revealed to be Mister's longtime lover ("Shug Avery Comin' to Town"). But when Shug arrives with her band, she is in such bad shape that Celie nurses her back to health despite local disapproval ("All We've Got to Say").

While tailoring a dress for Shug's debut, Celie experiences feelings of warmth and tenderness for the first time ("Dear God - Shug"). Shug, meanwhile, learns more about Celie's relationship with Mister and encourages her to find her inner strength ("Too Beautiful for Words"').

That night, at Harpo's Juke Joint, Shug brings down the house with a raucous blues number ("Push Da Button"). Sofia arrives with her new boyfriend Buster and dances with Harpo, prompting Squeak to pick a fight with her ("Uh-Oh!"). The fight eventually escalates into a bar brawl, prompting Shug and Celie to escape.

After returning to Mister's house, Shug and Celie explore their newfound relationship ("What About Love?"). Shug uncovers several letters for Celie that have come from Africa. Celie recognizes Nettie's handwriting and realizes her sister is alive ("Act I Finale").

Act II edit

While reading the letters that Mister has hidden from her, Celie learns Nettie is in Africa and is living with the missionary family that adopted her children ("African Homeland"). In Georgia, Sofia is arrested for assaulting the mayor after refusing to work for his wife. When Celie goes to visit her, she learns Sofia will serve out her sentence in the Mayor's custody.

In 1932, Shug brings her lover Grady over for Easter. After learning the extent of Celie's anger towards God, Shug invites her to come back to Memphis with her so they can enjoy the simple joys of life ("The Color Purple"). After sitting down to dinner ("Church Ladies' Easter"), Celie tells Mister that she is leaving and Squeak announces she is leaving as well. When Mister refuses and tries to beat her, Celie stands firm and curses him ("I Curse You, Mister"). Harpo then invites Sofia to come back and live at the Juke Joint, reconciling with her in the process. Eventually, Mister begins to feel the effect of Celie's curse. Harpo challenges his father to make things right after a bunch of terrible things happen to Mister, which force Mister to try to understand the meaning of Celie's curse and the meaning of life other than his tough childhood ("Mister's Song/Celie's Curse").

At Shug's Memphis home, Celie starts writing back to Nettie and discovers that she has a natural gift for making pants. After inheriting her childhood home, Celie starts a business and begins selling her designs ("Miss Celie's Pants"). Meanwhile, Harpo and Sofia hit it off and learn Mister is having difficulty getting Nettie and the children to come to the United States. The three resolve to make a plan. ("Any Little Thing")

Shug tells Celie she has fallen in love with a 19-year-old musician in her band and asks her permission to have one last fling with him. Meanwhile, Mister has reconciled his life ("What About Love? [Reprise]"). While walking home, Celie realizes she isn't destroyed by this and, for the first time, feels a deep love for herself ("I'm Here").

Several years later, while hosting a Fourth of July picnic for the community, Celie hears a car horn and a familiar voice from her childhood. It is Nettie singing the clapping song they sang years ago. They both run to each other and hug with Celie's children right behind them all grown up. After learning that Mister and Shug have made the reunion possible, Celie thanks them and God for reuniting her with her sister ("The Color Purple [Reprise]").

Cast edit

Original casts of notable productions edit

Character Broadway First U.S. National Tour Second U.S. National Tour Off-West End Broadway Revival Third U.S. National Tour Film Adaptation
2005 2007 2010 2013 2015 2017 2023
Celie LaChanze Jeannette Bayardelle Kenita R. Miller Cynthia Erivo Adrianna Hicks Fantasia
Shug Avery Elisabeth Withers Michelle Williams Angela Robinson Nicola Hughes Jennifer Hudson Carla R. Stewart Taraji P. Henson
Sofia Felicia P. Fields Sophia Nomvete Danielle Brooks Carrie Compere Danielle Brooks
Mister/Albert Kingsley Leggs Rufus Bonds, Jr. Christopher Colquhoun Isaiah Johnson Gavin Gregory Colman Domingo
Harpo Brandon Victor Dixon Stu James Adebayo Bolaji Kyle Scatliffe J. Daughtry Corey Hawkins
Nettie Renée Elise Goldsberry LaToya London Abiona Omonua Joaquina Kalukango N'Jameh Camara Halle Bailey

Cast replacements edit

  • Fantasia Barrino assumed the role of Celie in the original Broadway production from April 10, 2007, to January 6, 2008, becoming the first American Idol winner on Broadway.[32] Fantasia reprised her performance as Celie in the 2010 National tour from June 30 to September 13, 2010.
  • Heather Headley assumed the role of Shug Avery from Jennifer Hudson in the 2015 Broadway revival on May 10, 2016.[33]
  • Jennifer Holliday assumed the role of Shug Avery from Heather Headley in the 2015 revival on October 4, 2016.
  • Nathaniel Stampley assumed the role of Mister from Isaiah Johnson in the 2015 revival on November 15, 2016.[34]

Musical numbers edit

†Not included on the 2015 Revival Cast Recording

Critical reception edit

2005 production edit

The 2005 production received mixed to negative reviews from critics, who praised the performances but criticized its heavy adaptation, sluggish running time and the absence of romance between the female characters. Theatre critic Ben Brantley of The New York Times wrote, "Celie had morphed into a heroine of the kind of inspirational women's fiction found in airport bookstores, written by Barbara Taylor Bradford and Danielle Steel. These are authors I would never have thought to compare to Alice Walker." Brantley also criticized its length writing, "Watching this beat-the-clock production summons the frustrations of riding through a picturesque stretch of country in a supertrain like the TGV." Brantley did however praised the casting adding "this show is blessed with a surfeit of performing talent... It is to the credit of each of these confident actresses that their characters register as emphatically and winningly as they do in the midst of the narrative rush".[35]

David Rooney of Variety wrote, "Neither Steven Spielberg’s prettified, Amblin-ized 1985 movie nor this big, messy patchwork of a musical entirely do justice to the story of poor black women from the Deep South in the first half of the 20th century." Rooney added "the show crudely reduces the sprawling feminist saga to cartoonish episodes". He also criticized the music in the show writing, "Like everything else in the show, the musical elements are a far-from-seamless mix, alternating flat stretches with stirring peaks, and too many songs feel incomplete."[36] Jeremy McCarter of New York Magazine also panned the musical, criticizing it for its unfaithful adaptation of the novel and failing to add the lesbian romance into the musical. McCarter wrote, "Amid all this faith-based dramaturgy, it’s no surprise that the lesbian element in Celie’s story gets swept aside. The love she shares with Shug in Walker’s book is dispatched here with a couple of timid kisses and some platitudinous lyrics. Hollywood has gay cowboys, and a Broadway musical gets nervous about an awkward hug? Who’s responsible for this madness?"[37]

2015 production edit

The 2015 revival received positive reviews with critics praising its cast: in particular Cynthia Erivo, who many credit for the success of the production. Ben Brantley of The New York Times reviewed the revival referencing the 2005 production describing it as "a big, gaudy, lumbering creature that felt oversold and overdressed". He however stated that "the current version is a slim, fleet-footed beauty, simply attired and beguilingly modest. Don’t be deceived, though, by its air of humility. There’s a deep wealth of power within its restraint." Brantley praised Erivo as "incandescent" adding "Ms. Erivo escorts us through these transformations with a subtle but tensile performance that parallels her character’s evolution".[38] Marilyn Stasio of Variety also praised the production describing Erivo as "haunting", Jennifer Hudson as "radiant" and wrote that Danielle Brooks "shakes the house".[39]

In Alexis Soloski's The Guardian three star review praised Erivo's performance describing her as "a remarkable actor and singer who can accomplish a tremendous amount while seeming to do very little. She communicates Celie’s suffering with scant exaggeration or fuss and her joy is infectious". Soloski also added, "[Jennifer] Hudson may have a marquee name, but make no mistake this is Erivo’s show. She’s here and if New York producers have any sense, she’ll stay." Soloski however criticized the production calling "this version...streamlined and stripped down" but added "the fine performances, particularly Erivo as the downtrodden Celie, brighten it up."[40]

Jesse Oxfeld of Entertainment Weekly praised the production and its performances. She cited Erivo's number "I'm Here" as a standout adding, "Erivo’s ovation is well-earned. This is a star-making moment". She wrote of Danielle Brooks' Broadway debut "She turns out to be a gifted stage actress. She’s funny, sensitive, and compulsively charismatic."[41] David Rooney of Billboard gave a positive review, writing of Jennifer Hudson's performance "Hudson might not yet quite match the assurance in dramatic scenes of the cast’s more seasoned stage performers, but with that voice, nobody’s going to care. Her vocals are sensational — luscious and full-bodied, with astonishing control."[42]

Awards and nominations edit

Original Broadway production edit

2015 Broadway revival edit

Year Award Ceremony Category Nominee Result Ref
2016 Tony Award Best Revival of a Musical Won [46]
Best Actress in a Musical Cynthia Erivo Won
Best Featured Actress in a Musical Danielle Brooks Nominated
Best Direction of a Musical John Doyle Nominated
Drama Desk Award Outstanding Revival of a Musical Nominated [47]
Outstanding Actress in a Musical Cynthia Erivo Won
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical Danielle Brooks Nominated
Outstanding Director of a Musical John Doyle Won
Outstanding Orchestrations Catherine Jayes and Joseph Joubert Nominated
Outstanding Lighting Design for a Musical Jane Cox Nominated
Drama League Award Outstanding Revival of a Musical Won [48]
Distinguished Performance Cynthia Erivo Nominated
Jennifer Hudson Nominated
Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding Revival of a Musical Nominated [49]
Outstanding Actress in a Musical Cynthia Erivo Won
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical Danielle Brooks Nominated
Theatre World Award Cynthia Erivo Honoree [50]
Danielle Brooks Honoree
2017 Grammy Award Best Musical Theater Album Won [51]
Daytime Emmy Award Outstanding Musical Performance in a Daytime Program Cynthia Erivo and the Cast of The Color Purple on Today Won [52][53]

Film adaptation edit

On November 2, 2018, it was announced that a film adaptation of the musical was in development at Warner Bros. Pictures and Amblin Entertainment, the same companies that made the 1985 film adaptation of the novel, with Steven Spielberg, Quincy Jones, Scott Sanders, and Oprah Winfrey all signing on to produce.[54] On August 24, 2020, it was announced that Marcus Gardley will write the screenplay and Black is King's Blitz Bazawule will direct.[55] Winfrey praised the selection of Bazawule as director, after she and the producers saw his work on The Burial of Kojo, saying that "We, were all blown away by Blitz's unique vision as a director and look forward to seeing how he brings the next evolution of this beloved story to life." It was also announced that Alice Walker, Rebecca Walker, Kristie Macosko Krieger, Carla Gardini, and Mara Jacobs will executive produce the film. It was announced on December 23, 2020 that the film will be released on December 20, 2023.[56] Corey Hawkins plays the role of Harpo in the film and singer-songwriter H.E.R. will make her acting debut as Squeak. On February 1, 2022, Taraji P. Henson was announced to star in the role of Shug Avery. On February 3, 2022, the rest of the cast was announced, with Fantasia starring as Celie, Danielle Brooks reprising her role as Sofia, Colman Domingo as Mister, and Halle Bailey as Nettie.[57][58] On March 22, 2022, it was announced that Ciara had joined the cast as older Nettie.[59] The film is set to be released on December 25, 2023.[60]

References edit

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External links edit

  • Official site
  • ​The Color Purple​ at the Internet Broadway Database
  • The Color Purple Audition Advice & Show Information from MusicalTheatreAudition.net
  • The Color Purple at Broadway Theater
  • Wanabehuman: Theatre review - The Color Purple, New York City
  • The Color Purple on Broadway.com

color, purple, musical, color, purple, musical, with, music, lyrics, brenda, russell, allee, willis, stephen, bray, book, marsha, norman, based, 1982, novel, same, name, alice, walker, 1985, film, adaptation, musical, follows, journey, celie, african, american. The Color Purple is a musical with music and lyrics by Brenda Russell Allee Willis and Stephen Bray and a book by Marsha Norman based on the 1982 novel of the same name by Alice Walker and its 1985 film adaptation The musical follows the journey of Celie an African American woman in the American South from the early to mid 20th century The Color PurpleOriginal Broadway promotional posterMusicBrenda Russell Allee Willis Stephen BrayLyricsBrenda Russell Allee Willis Stephen BrayBookMarsha NormanBasisThe Color Purpleby Alice Walker The Color Purpleby Menno MeyjesProductions2005 Broadway 2007 Chicago 2007 First U S tour 2010 Second U S tour 2012 Third U S tour 2013 Off West End 2015 Broadway revival 2017 Fourth U S tourAwards2016 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical 2016 Drama League Award for Outstanding Revival of a Musical 2017 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater AlbumThe original Broadway production ran from 2005 to 2008 earning eleven Tony Award nominations in 2006 An enthusiastically acclaimed Broadway revival opened in late 2015 and ran through early 2017 winning two 2016 Tony Awards including Best Revival of a Musical A film adaptation of the musical is currently slated for a December 25 2023 release Contents 1 Productions 1 1 Workshop and world premiere 2004 2005 1 2 Broadway 2005 2008 1 3 First national tour 2007 2010 1 3 1 Chicago 2007 1 4 Second national tour 2010 2011 1 5 Third national tour 2012 1 6 London production 2013 1 7 Broadway revival 2015 2017 1 8 South Africa 2018 1 9 Netherlands 2018 1 10 Leicester and Birmingham 2019 1 11 Canada 2019 1 12 Brazil 2019 2 Synopsis 2 1 Act I 2 2 Act II 3 Cast 3 1 Original casts of notable productions 3 2 Cast replacements 4 Musical numbers 5 Critical reception 5 1 2005 production 5 2 2015 production 6 Awards and nominations 6 1 Original Broadway production 6 2 2015 Broadway revival 7 Film adaptation 8 References 9 External linksProductions editWorkshop and world premiere 2004 2005 edit The Color Purple was originally workshopped by the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta Georgia in the summer of 2004 following Scott Sanders optioning the work from Alice Walker in 1999 and auditioning various creative team members The September 9 2004 world premiere of the musical was produced by the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta by special arrangement with Creative Battery and Scott Sanders Productions For the Atlanta run LaChanze starred as Celie Felicia P Fields as Sofia Saycon Sengbloh as Nettie Adriane Lenox as Shug and Kingsley Leggs as Mister Gary Griffin staged the work with scenic design by John Lee Beatty lighting by Brian MacDevitt costumes by Paul Tazewell and sound by Jon Weston 1 2 Broadway 2005 2008 edit The musical opened on Broadway at The Broadway Theatre on December 1 2005 It was directed by Gary Griffin produced by Scott Sanders Quincy Jones and Oprah Winfrey with choreography by Donald Byrd and musical direction by Linda Twine The musical closed on February 24 2008 after 30 previews and 910 regular performances The production recouped its 11 million investment within its first year on Broadway and had grossed over 103 million by the time it closed 3 The original Broadway production starred LaChanze as Celie Brandon Victor Dixon as Harpo Felicia P Fields as Sofia Renee Elise Goldsberry as Nettie Kingsley Leggs as Mister Krisha Marcano as Squeak and Elisabeth Withers Mendes as Shug Avery First national tour 2007 2010 edit Chicago 2007 edit The First National tour began on April 17 2007 starting with an extended run at the Cadillac Palace Theatre in Chicago Illinois The company includes LaToya London as Nettie Michelle Williams as Shug Avery Felicia P Fields as Sofia and Jeannette Bayardelle as Celie Stephanie St James as Squeak Bayardelle and Fields both are reprising their roles from Broadway The show exceeded expectations which necessitated a four week extension of its Chicago engagement until September 30 2007 4 The original expectation was that the show would run in Chicago until November 5 In all the show produced respectable business results bringing in about 1 million per week for the first half of the engagement but less during the summer months when the ticket prices were reduced to 39 50 to keep the theater full 6 Chicago was notable as a starting point of the national tour because Oprah Winfrey a 1986 Academy Awards nominee in the film adaptation 7 is a Chicago resident 8 9 In addition Felicia Fields is a Chicago native and resident It was also a homecoming for Gary Griffin Both Fields and Griffin made their broadway theatre debuts with this musical 10 As a result of the Chicago connections the Chicago premiere had a star studded red carpet with Chicago Mayor Richard M Daley Jesse Jackson R Kelly and Roger Ebert 11 Others in attendance included United States Senator Carol Moseley Braun and Christie Hefner 12 Coverage of the Chicago premiere was prominent in international media 13 Second national tour 2010 2011 edit A second national tour with a new non Equity cast opened on March 12 2010 at the Lyric Opera House and visited numerous US cities making several return engagements The role of Celie was played by Detroit native Dayna Jarae Dantzler The role of Shug Avery was played by New Orleans native Taprena Augustine Tour stops include Omaha Nashville Fort Lauderdale Mobile Durham and more 14 15 Due to an overwhelming demand the tour returned to New Orleans where it played a 5 show limited engagement at the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts from February 11 13 2011 16 In August 2010 Oprah Winfrey announced the traveling company of The Color Purple would be raising funds for the relief organization SBP along with the novel s author Alice Walker 17 Third national tour 2012 edit A third national tour with a non Equity cast opened January 17 2012 at the Francis Marion University PAC in Florence South Carolina with previews in New Haven CT at the Schubert Theater The role of Celie is played by Washington D C native Ashley L Ware and Taprena Augustine has reprised her role as Shug Avery alongside Dayna Marie Quincy taking the role of Nettie later taking the role of Celie at Toby s Dinner Theatre in Columbia Tour stops include Nevada Las Vegas amp Reno Alabama Mobile Pennsylvania Williamsport Reading amp Bloomsburg and more 15 London production 2013 edit A first international production directed by John Doyle opened in London at The Menier Chocolate Factory on July 17 2013 The limited run ended on September 14 2013 The cast included Cynthia Erivo Celie Nicola Hughes Shug and Christopher Colquhoun Mister Albert 18 Broadway revival 2015 2017 edit On January 9 2015 producers Scott Sanders Roy Furman and Oprah Winfrey announced that the Menier Chocolate Factory production would be mounted on Broadway Jennifer Hudson would make her Broadway debut in the role of Shug Danielle Brooks would play the role of Sofia and Cynthia Erivo would reprise her role as Celie Kyle Jean Baptiste was slated to be in it as well but he died in a fall on August 29 2015 19 20 Previews began November 10 2015 with the official opening being December 10 at the Bernard B Jacobs Theatre 21 22 23 Erivo won the 2016 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical with the production taking home the 2016 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical 24 The production closed on January 8 2017 after 33 previews and 449 performances 25 South Africa 2018 edit The first major international staging of the musical since the Broadway revival opened in Johannesburg South Africa on February 4 2018 26 Netherlands 2018 edit The first translated production of The Color Purple opened on the 16th of April in Amsterdam at the NDSM wharf visited by the Queen of the Netherlands This production was produced by Opus One and translated and directed by Koen van Dijk The limited engagement will be followed by a tour in the autumn through several theatres in the Netherlands It opened to positive reviews and starred newcomer Naomi van der Linden as Celie Ana Milva Gomes as Shug Avery Jeannine de la Rose as Sofia Edwin Jonker as Mister and Carlos de Vries as Harpo Leicester and Birmingham 2019 edit A new co production between Curve Leicester and Birmingham Hippodrome opened in Leicester on June 28 2019 before transferring to Birmingham on July 16 2019 The production was directed by Tinuke Craig with T Shan Williams as Celie Karen Mavundukure as Sofia Joanna Francis as Shug and Ako Mitchell as Mister 27 Canada 2019 edit The Canadian premiere of The Color Purple opened in Halifax Nova Scotia Neptune Theatre Halifax on April 9 2019 The production is directed by Kimberley Rampersad the first African Canadian and female to helm the show 28 Brazil 2019 edit The Brazilian production of the musical opened in Rio de Janeiro from September 6 to November 3 2019 29 before transferring to Sao Paulo from December 6 2019 to February 16 2020 30 The production was directed by Tadeu Aguiar 31 Synopsis editAct I edit On a Sunday morning in 1909 fourteen year old Celie who has had one child by her father Alphonso and is now pregnant with her second plays a clapping game with her younger sister Nettie Huckleberry Pie While attending services with the other members of their rural Georgia community Celie goes into labor and is dragged out of the church as the congregation quietly looks on Mysterious Ways After Celie gives birth to a son her father takes the child away and bluntly tells her he is going to get rid of it like the last one Celie quietly says goodbye to her newborn and asks God for a sign Somebody Gonna Love You Four years later local farmer and widower Albert Mister Johnson approaches Alphonso and asks permission to marry one of his daughters Alphonso agrees offering him Celie instead of Nettie and throwing a cow into the bargain Although the girls promise never to be separated Celie goes with Mister to save Nettie s dreams of becoming a teacher Our Prayer The local Church Ladies cluck their approval That Fine Mister while Mister s field hands introduce Celie to a life of hard work Big Dog One day Nettie arrives explaining that she is tired of Alphonso s lecherous attentions and asking if she can stay Mister agrees but later attacks Nettie while she is walking to school She fights back prompting Mister to kick her out Mister Nettie Celie protests but Mister swears they will never see each other again As she leaves Mister s property Nettie promises to write to Celie But when she goes to the mailbox the next day Mister slams the mailbox shut threatening to kill her if he ever sees her touch it Lily of the Field In 1920 Mister s son Harpo brings home Sofia a strong willed woman whom he later marries Dear God Sofia When he complains that he is tired of Sofia bossing him around Mister and Celie tell him the only way to get her to listen is to beat her Harpo attempts to do so but ends up being beaten by Sofia A Tree Named Sofia After confronting Celie Sofia learns the extent of Mister s cruelty and tells Celie to stand up for herself before leaving home to spend time with her sisters Hell No Harpo decides to turn his house into a juke joint and engages in an affair with a waitress named Squeak who moves in with him Brown Betty Sometime later the community prepares for the arrival of jazz singer Shug Avery who is revealed to be Mister s longtime lover Shug Avery Comin to Town But when Shug arrives with her band she is in such bad shape that Celie nurses her back to health despite local disapproval All We ve Got to Say While tailoring a dress for Shug s debut Celie experiences feelings of warmth and tenderness for the first time Dear God Shug Shug meanwhile learns more about Celie s relationship with Mister and encourages her to find her inner strength Too Beautiful for Words That night at Harpo s Juke Joint Shug brings down the house with a raucous blues number Push Da Button Sofia arrives with her new boyfriend Buster and dances with Harpo prompting Squeak to pick a fight with her Uh Oh The fight eventually escalates into a bar brawl prompting Shug and Celie to escape After returning to Mister s house Shug and Celie explore their newfound relationship What About Love Shug uncovers several letters for Celie that have come from Africa Celie recognizes Nettie s handwriting and realizes her sister is alive Act I Finale Act II edit While reading the letters that Mister has hidden from her Celie learns Nettie is in Africa and is living with the missionary family that adopted her children African Homeland In Georgia Sofia is arrested for assaulting the mayor after refusing to work for his wife When Celie goes to visit her she learns Sofia will serve out her sentence in the Mayor s custody In 1932 Shug brings her lover Grady over for Easter After learning the extent of Celie s anger towards God Shug invites her to come back to Memphis with her so they can enjoy the simple joys of life The Color Purple After sitting down to dinner Church Ladies Easter Celie tells Mister that she is leaving and Squeak announces she is leaving as well When Mister refuses and tries to beat her Celie stands firm and curses him I Curse You Mister Harpo then invites Sofia to come back and live at the Juke Joint reconciling with her in the process Eventually Mister begins to feel the effect of Celie s curse Harpo challenges his father to make things right after a bunch of terrible things happen to Mister which force Mister to try to understand the meaning of Celie s curse and the meaning of life other than his tough childhood Mister s Song Celie s Curse At Shug s Memphis home Celie starts writing back to Nettie and discovers that she has a natural gift for making pants After inheriting her childhood home Celie starts a business and begins selling her designs Miss Celie s Pants Meanwhile Harpo and Sofia hit it off and learn Mister is having difficulty getting Nettie and the children to come to the United States The three resolve to make a plan Any Little Thing Shug tells Celie she has fallen in love with a 19 year old musician in her band and asks her permission to have one last fling with him Meanwhile Mister has reconciled his life What About Love Reprise While walking home Celie realizes she isn t destroyed by this and for the first time feels a deep love for herself I m Here Several years later while hosting a Fourth of July picnic for the community Celie hears a car horn and a familiar voice from her childhood It is Nettie singing the clapping song they sang years ago They both run to each other and hug with Celie s children right behind them all grown up After learning that Mister and Shug have made the reunion possible Celie thanks them and God for reuniting her with her sister The Color Purple Reprise Cast editOriginal casts of notable productions edit Character Broadway First U S National Tour Second U S National Tour Off West End Broadway Revival Third U S National Tour Film Adaptation2005 2007 2010 2013 2015 2017 2023Celie LaChanze Jeannette Bayardelle Kenita R Miller Cynthia Erivo Adrianna Hicks FantasiaShug Avery Elisabeth Withers Michelle Williams Angela Robinson Nicola Hughes Jennifer Hudson Carla R Stewart Taraji P HensonSofia Felicia P Fields Sophia Nomvete Danielle Brooks Carrie Compere Danielle BrooksMister Albert Kingsley Leggs Rufus Bonds Jr Christopher Colquhoun Isaiah Johnson Gavin Gregory Colman DomingoHarpo Brandon Victor Dixon Stu James Adebayo Bolaji Kyle Scatliffe J Daughtry Corey HawkinsNettie Renee Elise Goldsberry LaToya London Abiona Omonua Joaquina Kalukango N Jameh Camara Halle BaileyCast replacements edit Fantasia Barrino assumed the role of Celie in the original Broadway production from April 10 2007 to January 6 2008 becoming the first American Idol winner on Broadway 32 Fantasia reprised her performance as Celie in the 2010 National tour from June 30 to September 13 2010 Heather Headley assumed the role of Shug Avery from Jennifer Hudson in the 2015 Broadway revival on May 10 2016 33 Jennifer Holliday assumed the role of Shug Avery from Heather Headley in the 2015 revival on October 4 2016 Nathaniel Stampley assumed the role of Mister from Isaiah Johnson in the 2015 revival on November 15 2016 34 Musical numbers editAct I Overture Orchestra Huckleberry Pie Mysterious Ways Young Celie and Young Nettie Celie Nettie and Ensemble Somebody Gonna Love You Celie Our Prayer Nettie Celie Mister Doris Darlene Jarene and Pa That Fine Mister Doris Darlene and Jarene Big Dog Mister Celie Young Harpo Mister s Daughters and Male Ensemble Lily of the Field Celie Nettie and Mister Dear God Sofia Celie A Tree Named Sofia Doris Darlene and Jarene Hell No Sofia Celie amp Sofia s Sisters Brown Betty Harpo Squeak Celie and Male Ensemble Shug Avery Comin to Town Mister Celie and Ensemble All We ve Got to Say Doris Darlene and Jarene Dear God Shug Celie and Shug Too Beautiful for Words Shug Push Da Button Shug Harpo and Ensemble Uh Oh Sofia Squeak Celie Buster and Female Ensemble What About Love Celie and Shug Act I Finale Orchestra Shug Celie and Nettie Act II African Homeland Nettie Celie Young Adam Young Olivia and Ensemble The Color Purple Shug and Celie Church Ladies Easter Doris Darlene and Jarene I Curse You Mister Celie and Mister Mister s Song Celie s Curse Mister Miss Celie s Pants Celie Shug Sofia and Female Ensemble Any Little Thing Harpo and Sofia What About Love Reprise Celie and Shug I m Here Celie The Color Purple Reprise Celie and Company Not included on the 2015 Revival Cast RecordingCritical reception edit2005 production edit The 2005 production received mixed to negative reviews from critics who praised the performances but criticized its heavy adaptation sluggish running time and the absence of romance between the female characters Theatre critic Ben Brantley of The New York Times wrote Celie had morphed into a heroine of the kind of inspirational women s fiction found in airport bookstores written by Barbara Taylor Bradford and Danielle Steel These are authors I would never have thought to compare to Alice Walker Brantley also criticized its length writing Watching this beat the clock production summons the frustrations of riding through a picturesque stretch of country in a supertrain like the TGV Brantley did however praised the casting adding this show is blessed with a surfeit of performing talent It is to the credit of each of these confident actresses that their characters register as emphatically and winningly as they do in the midst of the narrative rush 35 David Rooney of Variety wrote Neither Steven Spielberg s prettified Amblin ized 1985 movie nor this big messy patchwork of a musical entirely do justice to the story of poor black women from the Deep South in the first half of the 20th century Rooney added the show crudely reduces the sprawling feminist saga to cartoonish episodes He also criticized the music in the show writing Like everything else in the show the musical elements are a far from seamless mix alternating flat stretches with stirring peaks and too many songs feel incomplete 36 Jeremy McCarter of New York Magazine also panned the musical criticizing it for its unfaithful adaptation of the novel and failing to add the lesbian romance into the musical McCarter wrote Amid all this faith based dramaturgy it s no surprise that the lesbian element in Celie s story gets swept aside The love she shares with Shug in Walker s book is dispatched here with a couple of timid kisses and some platitudinous lyrics Hollywood has gay cowboys and a Broadway musical gets nervous about an awkward hug Who s responsible for this madness 37 2015 production edit The 2015 revival received positive reviews with critics praising its cast in particular Cynthia Erivo who many credit for the success of the production Ben Brantley of The New York Times reviewed the revival referencing the 2005 production describing it as a big gaudy lumbering creature that felt oversold and overdressed He however stated that the current version is a slim fleet footed beauty simply attired and beguilingly modest Don t be deceived though by its air of humility There s a deep wealth of power within its restraint Brantley praised Erivo as incandescent adding Ms Erivo escorts us through these transformations with a subtle but tensile performance that parallels her character s evolution 38 Marilyn Stasio of Variety also praised the production describing Erivo as haunting Jennifer Hudson as radiant and wrote that Danielle Brooks shakes the house 39 In Alexis Soloski s The Guardian three star review praised Erivo s performance describing her as a remarkable actor and singer who can accomplish a tremendous amount while seeming to do very little She communicates Celie s suffering with scant exaggeration or fuss and her joy is infectious Soloski also added Jennifer Hudson may have a marquee name but make no mistake this is Erivo s show She s here and if New York producers have any sense she ll stay Soloski however criticized the production calling this version streamlined and stripped down but added the fine performances particularly Erivo as the downtrodden Celie brighten it up 40 Jesse Oxfeld of Entertainment Weekly praised the production and its performances She cited Erivo s number I m Here as a standout adding Erivo s ovation is well earned This is a star making moment She wrote of Danielle Brooks Broadway debut She turns out to be a gifted stage actress She s funny sensitive and compulsively charismatic 41 David Rooney of Billboard gave a positive review writing of Jennifer Hudson s performance Hudson might not yet quite match the assurance in dramatic scenes of the cast s more seasoned stage performers but with that voice nobody s going to care Her vocals are sensational luscious and full bodied with astonishing control 42 Awards and nominations editOriginal Broadway production edit Year Award Ceremony Category Nominee Result Ref2006 Tony Award Best Musical Nominated 43 Best Book of a Musical Marsha Norman NominatedBest Original Score Brenda Russell Allee Willis and Stephen Bray NominatedBest Actress in a Musical LaChanze WonBest Featured Actor in a Musical Brandon Victor Dixon NominatedBest Featured Actress in a Musical Felicia P Fields NominatedElizabeth Withers Mendez NominatedBest Choreography Donald Byrd NominatedBest Scenic Design John Lee Beatty NominatedBest Costume Design Paul Tazewell NominatedBest Lighting Design Brian MacDevitt NominatedTheatre World Award Felicia P Fields Won 44 Elisabeth Withers Mendes Won2007 Grammy Award Best Musical Show Album NominatedTheatre World Award Fantasia Barrino Honoree 45 2015 Broadway revival edit Year Award Ceremony Category Nominee Result Ref2016 Tony Award Best Revival of a Musical Won 46 Best Actress in a Musical Cynthia Erivo WonBest Featured Actress in a Musical Danielle Brooks NominatedBest Direction of a Musical John Doyle NominatedDrama Desk Award Outstanding Revival of a Musical Nominated 47 Outstanding Actress in a Musical Cynthia Erivo WonOutstanding Featured Actress in a Musical Danielle Brooks NominatedOutstanding Director of a Musical John Doyle WonOutstanding Orchestrations Catherine Jayes and Joseph Joubert NominatedOutstanding Lighting Design for a Musical Jane Cox NominatedDrama League Award Outstanding Revival of a Musical Won 48 Distinguished Performance Cynthia Erivo NominatedJennifer Hudson NominatedOuter Critics Circle Award Outstanding Revival of a Musical Nominated 49 Outstanding Actress in a Musical Cynthia Erivo WonOutstanding Featured Actress in a Musical Danielle Brooks NominatedTheatre World Award Cynthia Erivo Honoree 50 Danielle Brooks Honoree2017 Grammy Award Best Musical Theater Album Won 51 Daytime Emmy Award Outstanding Musical Performance in a Daytime Program Cynthia Erivo and the Cast of The Color Purple on Today Won 52 53 Film adaptation editMain article The Color Purple 2023 film On November 2 2018 it was announced that a film adaptation of the musical was in development at Warner Bros Pictures and Amblin Entertainment the same companies that made the 1985 film adaptation of the novel with Steven Spielberg Quincy Jones Scott Sanders and Oprah Winfrey all signing on to produce 54 On August 24 2020 it was announced that Marcus Gardley will write the screenplay and Black is King s Blitz Bazawule will direct 55 Winfrey praised the selection of Bazawule as director after she and the producers saw his work on The Burial of Kojo saying that We were all blown away by Blitz s unique vision as a director and look forward to seeing how he brings the next evolution of this beloved story to life It was also announced that Alice Walker Rebecca Walker Kristie Macosko Krieger Carla Gardini and Mara Jacobs will executive produce the film It was announced on December 23 2020 that the film will be released on December 20 2023 56 Corey Hawkins plays the role of Harpo in the film and singer songwriter H E R will make her acting debut as Squeak On February 1 2022 Taraji P Henson was announced to star in the role of Shug Avery On February 3 2022 the rest of the cast was announced with Fantasia starring as Celie Danielle Brooks reprising her role as Sofia Colman Domingo as Mister and Halle Bailey as Nettie 57 58 On March 22 2022 it was announced that Ciara had joined the cast as older Nettie 59 The film is set to be released on December 25 2023 60 References edit Alice Walker Novel Sings as The Color Purple Musical Starts World Premiere Sept 9 Archived May 23 2006 at the Wayback Machine playbill com September 2004 Broadwayworld com March 2004 Alliance Theatre to Premiere The Color Purple A New Musical broadwayworld com 2004 Broadway s The Color Purple Will Close Feb 24 Archived January 27 2008 at the Wayback Machine playbill com January 24 2008 Hetrick Adam July 17 2007 The Color Purple Extends Chicago Run By a Month Playbill News Playbill Inc Archived from the original on December 30 2007 Retrieved January 15 2008 The Color Purple to Begin National Tour in Chicago in 2007 Broadway com Inc March 6 2006 Retrieved January 16 2008 Jones Chris September 28 2007 Color Purple makes its exit chicagotribune com Retrieved January 15 2008 The Color Purple 1985 rogerebert com March 28 2004 Retrieved January 15 2008 Oprah at Chicago premiere of Purple USA TODAY May 6 2007 Retrieved January 15 2008 Oprah Winfrey attends Chicago premiere of The Color Purple the International Herald Tribune May 3 2007 Retrieved January 17 2008 Morgan Scott C May 9 2007 Theater The Color Purple Windy City Times Windy City Media Group Retrieved January 15 2008 Baca Stacey May 4 2007 Winfrey attends Chicago premiere of The Color Purple ABC Inc WLS TV DT Chicago IL Retrieved January 15 2008 Oprah s Purple Opens In Chicago Local Celebrities Step Onto Red Carpet NBC Universal Inc May 4 2007 Retrieved January 15 2008 People Avril Lavigne Oprah Winfrey Don Imus the International Herald Tribune May 4 2007 Retrieved January 17 2008 The Color Purple tour listing phoenix ent com a b The Color Purple Now on National Tour Archived from the original on February 27 2010 Retrieved 2010 03 17 colorpurple com 1 facebook com Flaherty Jordan 2010 Floodlines Community and Resistance from Katrina to the Jena Six Chicago Illinois Haymarket Books pp 130 131 ISBN 9781608460656 Fisher Phillip The Color Purple The Musical britishtheatreguide info retrieved January 27 2018 Kyle Jean Baptiste 1st Black Actor to Play Jean Valjean on Broadway Dies in Fall CBS News August 29 2015 Retrieved August 30 2015 Rutti Ron August 29 2015 Baldwin Wallace Graduate Kyle Jean Baptiste Youngest to Play Les Miserables Lead Is Dead at 21 The Plain Dealer Cleveland Retrieved August 30 2015 Jennifer Hudson Will Make Broadway Debut in Color Purple Revival Playbill com January 9 2015 Retrieved 2015 04 01 Hetrick Adam and Viagas Robert Broadway Color Purple Revival With Jennifer Hudson and Cynthia Erivo Sets Full Cast Playbill October 6 2015 Playbill Staff The Verdict Read Reviews for Broadway Color Purple Revival With Jennifer Hudson and Cynthia Erivo playbill com December 11 2015 The Tony Award Nominees Winners TonyAwards com Retrieved 2016 06 21 Viagas Robert Broadway Color Purple Posts Closing Notice Playbill October 30 2016 THE COLOR PURPLE info Joburg Theatre November 17 2016 Retrieved March 7 2020 BWW News Desk Curve and Birmingham Hippodrome Announce Co Production of THE COLOR PURPLE BroadwayWorld com Retrieved August 17 2018 Star Toronto News Neptune Theatre puts humanity on stage The Toronto Star Retrieved February 27 2019 A Cor Purpura ganha versao nacional e estreia no Rio de Janeiro A Broadway e Aqui in Brazilian Portuguese September 9 2019 Retrieved December 8 2019 A Cor Purpura o Musical estreia em SP ISTOE Independente in Brazilian Portuguese December 6 2019 Retrieved December 8 2019 A Cor Purpura VEJA SAO PAULO in Brazilian Portuguese Retrieved December 8 2019 American Idol s Fantasia Barrino to Join The Color Purple broadwayworld com Wisdom Digital Media February 22 2007 Retrieved January 15 2008 Paulson Michael Jennifer Hudson to Exit Color Purple Enter Heather Headley The New York Times April 7 2016 BWW News Desk THE COLOR PURPLE to Welcome New Mister on Broadway BroadwayWorld com October 24 2016 One Woman s Awakening in Double Time The New York Times Retrieved September 5 2023 The Color Purple review Variety Retrieved September 5 2023 Metropolitan Oprah September 5 2023 Review The Color Purple on Broadway Stripped to Its Essence September 5 2023 Broadway Review The Color Purple with Jennifer Hudson Cynthia Erivo Danielle Brooks Variety Retrieved September 5 2023 The Color Purple review Jennifer Hudson and Cynthia Erivo star in stripped down musical The Guardian Retrieved September 5 2023 The Color Purple EW stage review Entertainment Weekly Retrieved September 5 2023 Jennifer Hudson in The Color Purple Theater Review Billboard Retrieved September 5 2023 Staff Playbill June 12 2006 Just the Facts List of 2006 Tony Award Winners and Nominees Playbill com Retrieved April 28 2016 Staff Broadway com May 12 2006 Winners of the 2006 Theatre World Awards Announced Broadway com Retrieved April 28 2016 Staff New York Theatre Wire 63rd ANNUAL THEATRE WORLD AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED New York Theatre Wire Retrieved April 28 2016 Respers France Lisa June 13 2016 Tony Awards 2016 The Winners List CNN Retrieved June 14 2016 Viagas Robert April 28 2016 She Loves Me Leads Drama Desk Nominations Playbill com Retrieved April 28 2016 Gans Andrew April 20 2016 2016 Drama League Awards Nominations Announced Playbill com Retrieved April 20 2016 Viagas Robert April 19 2016 2016 Outer Critics Circle Nominees Announced Playbill com Retrieved April 19 2016 Gans Andrew May 2 2016 Theatre World Awards Announce 2016 Winners Playbill com Retrieved June 14 2016 2017 Grammy Awards Complete list of nominees Los Angeles Times December 6 2016 Retrieved December 6 2016 The 44th Annual Daytime Emmy Award Nominations PDF New York City emmyonline org and National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences March 22 2017 Retrieved March 22 2017 The 44th Annual Daytime Creative Arts Emmy Awards Winners PDF Los Angeles emmyonline org and National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences March 22 2017 Retrieved April 29 2017 Kit Borys November 2 2018 Spielberg Oprah Bringing Color Purple to Big Screen Exclusive The Hollywood Reporter Archived from the original on December 11 2020 Retrieved December 29 2020 D Alessandro Anthony August 24 2020 The Color Purple Feature Musical Black Is King s Blitz Bazawule Set To Direct Deadline Hollywood Archived from the original on September 26 2020 Retrieved December 29 2020 Rubin Rebecca December 23 2020 Warner Bros to Release Mad Max Fury Road Prequel and The Color Purple Musical in Theaters in 2023 Variety Archived from the original on December 24 2020 Retrieved December 24 2020 D Alessandro Anthony Cordero Rosy August 26 2021 Corey Hawkins Joining Warner Bros Feature Musical The Color Purple Deadline Retrieved August 27 2021 Galuppo Mia August 27 2021 H E R to Make Acting Debut in The Color Purple Movie Musical The Hollywood Reporter Retrieved September 21 2021 Welk Brian March 22 2022 Ciara Joins The Color Purple Movie Musical Cast at Warner Bros The Wrap Retrieved March 22 2022 Rubin Rebecca December 23 2020 Warner Bros to Release Mad Max Fury Road Prequel and The Color Purple Musical in Theaters in 2023 Variety Archived from the original on December 24 2020 Retrieved December 24 2020 External links editOfficial site The Color Purple at the Internet Broadway Database The Color Purple Audition Advice amp Show Information from MusicalTheatreAudition net The Color Purple at Broadway Theater Wanabehuman Theatre review The Color Purple New York City The Color Purple on Broadway com Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title The Color Purple musical amp oldid 1186668268, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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