The musical adaptation of the Alice Walker novel and film of the same name began previews at the Broadway theatre one year ago.

The show recently announced that the national tour - which will kick off at Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theatre on April 17, 2007 - will star Felicia P. Fields, who received a Tony nomination for her role as Sofia.

Aided by the clout of Oprah Winfrey, who starred in the film version and is the musical's sole above-the-title producer, the show has grossed a little over $50 million.

Gary Griffin directed The Color Purple on Broadway and will also direct the upcoming tour. The score is by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray, and the book is by Pulitzer Prize winner Marsha Norman ('night, Mother).

At left (from top): LaChanze and Jeanette Bayardelle; Brenda Russell; Elisabeth Withers-Mendes and Allee Willis; Felicia P. Fields.

Below: The men of The Color Purple celebrate its one-year anniversary.

photos by Aubrey Reuben