Atlanta's Fox Theatre is the latest venue to reveal that "American Idol" winner Fantasia Barrino will reprise the role of Celie for the show's upcoming run at the Georgia venue. The musical based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning Alice Walker novel and subsequent Steven Spielberg film will play the Fox Sept. 15-27.
Barrino, who earned critical praise and a Theatre World Award for her 2007 Broadway debut in The Color Purple, will first return to the role of Celie when the production plays the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., June 30-Aug. 9. Barrino has also been announced to appear in the Chicago (Sept. 2-13) and Los Angeles (Feb. 10-28, 2010) engagements of the tour.
Whether Barrino will join the national tour full-time has not been announced. The musical will also play Houston, TX (Aug. 18-23); Birmingham, AL (Oct. 20-25); Miami, FL (Oct. 27-Nov. 1); Orlando, FL (Nov. 3-8); Austin, TX (Jan. 12-17, 2010); Omaha, NE (March 16-21, 2010); Grand Rapids, MI (March 30-April 4, 2010) and Ft. Lauderdale, FL (April 6-18, 2010).
Fantasia Barrino won "American Idol" in May 2004 and has gone on to release two solo albums, "Free Yourself" in 2004 and "Fantasia" in December 2006. She joined the Broadway company of The Color Purple in April 2007.
Gary Griffin recreates his direction for the national tour of The Color Purple, which has a score by pop writers Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray and a book by Pulitzer Prize winner Marsha Norman. Following a world-premiere engagement at Atlanta's Alliance Theatre in 2004, The Color Purple was nominated for 11 2006 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, when it premiered on Broadway in November of 2005.
The cast of The Color Purple national tour currently features Tony nominee Felicia P. Fields (Sofia), Angela Robinson (Shug Avery), Rufus Bonds, Jr. (Mister), Stu James (Harpo), LaToya London (Nettie), Tiffany Daniels (Squeak), as well as Lynette DuPree, Kimberly Ann Harris, Virginia Ann Woodruff, Adam Wade, Carol Dennis, Brian Harlan Brooks, Darius Crenshaw, Quentin Earl Darrington, Lesly Terrell Donald, Anika Ellis, Doug Eskew, André Garner, Stephanie Guiland-Brown, LaTrisa A. Harper, Phyre Hawkins, Dameka Hayes, LaTonya Holmes, Chauncey Jenkins, Grasan Kingsberry, Reva Rice, Horace V. Rogers, Kristopher Thompson-Bolden and Hollie E. Wright.
Songs in the production include "Huckleberry Pie/Mysterious Ways," "Somebody Gonna Love You, "Our Prayer/I Really Want That Girl," "That Fine Mister," "Big Dog/Our Prayer (Reprise)," "Bring My Nettie Back," "Lily of the Field," "Dear God – Sofia," "A Tree Named Sofia," Hell No!," "Brown Betty," "Shug Avery Comin’ to Town," "Too Beautiful for Words," "Push Da Button," "Uh-Oh!," "What About Love?," "Africa," "The Color Purple," "A Church Ladies’ Easter," "With These Hands," "Miss Celie's Pants," "Is There Anything I Can Do for You?," "What About Love? (Reprise)," "I'm Here," "A Church Ladies' Fourth of July," "The Color Purple (Reprise)."
The design team comprises John Lee Beatty (sets), Paul Tazewell (costumes), Brian MacDevitt (lighting) and Jon Weston (sound).
For further information visit www.colorpurple.com.
