Hometown to producer Oprah Winfrey and director Gary Griffin, the Windy City begins the limited engagement of the new musical April 17, 2007.
One-thousand of the best seats available will go on sale at 8 AM at the Cadillac Palace Theatre box office (151 W. Randolph Street). People in line during the first hour will receive Krispy Kreme donuts, coffee and give-aways. Tickets will be available starting at 9 AM by calling (312) 902-1400 and online at www.BroadwayInChicago.com. Then, at 10 AM the remaining Broadway in Chicago box offices and all Ticketmaster ticket centers will open.
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Producers announced a six-month Chicago engagement that will begin in April, 2007 before the cross-country jaunt for the new musical. Other cities mentioned include Los Angeles,Denver, Boston, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Atlanta among others. Casting and further details are yet to be announced.
Gary Griffin — who will direct the upcoming tour — staged the work which began on Broadway Nov. 1 at the Broadway Theatre. The new musical, featuring a score by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray and a book by Pulitzer Prize-winner Marsha Norman ('night, Mother), officially opened Dec. 1. Joining Griffin will be the original design team of John Lee Beatty (sets), Paul Tazewell (costumes), Brian MacDevitt (lighting) and Jon Weston (sound).
Spanning over 40 years, The Color Purple is "an inspiring family saga that tells the unforgettable story of a woman, who, through love, finds the strength to triumph over adversity and discover her unique voice in the world," as a release states. The show's score blends "gospel, jazz, ragtime and the blues."
Oprah Winfrey, who appeared as Sofia in the Steven Spielberg film version opposite Whoopi Goldberg as Celie and Danny Glover as Albert, is the musical's sole above the-title producer. The Color Purple's Broadway producing team also includes Scott Sanders, Roy Furman, Quincy Jones, Creative Battery, Anna Fantaci & Cheryl Lachowicz, Independent Presenters Network, Lowy Family Group, Stephanie McClelland, Gary Winnick, Jan Kallish, Andrew Asnes & Adam Zotovich and Todd Johnson.
The original Broadway cast album (on Angel Records) is currently available for purchase.
For more information, visit the website at www.colorpurple.com.
