Signature Theatre's The Color Purple plays its final performance October 9 in Signature's MAX Theatre. The run began August 16 at the Arlington, Virginia theatre.
Timothy Douglas directs the production, which stars Nova Y. Payton stars as Celie, Danielle J. Summons as Shug Avery, and Frenchie Davis as Sofia.
Also starring in the cast are Kaiyla Gross as Nettie, Stephawn P. Stephens as Ol’ Mister/Preacher, Solomon Parker III as Harpo, Tẹmídayọ Amay as Squeak, and Torrey Linder as Mister.
The ensemble includes Ian Anthony Coleman, Jalisa Williams, Keenan McCarter, Nia Savoy-Dock, Raquel Jennings, Sean-Maurice Lynch, Gabrielle Rice, and Tobias A. Young. Catrina Brenae, Tyrell Stanley, and Jay Frisby are swings.
Featured on the creative team are music director Mark G. Meadows, choreographer Dane Figueroa Edidi, scenic designer Tony Cisek, costume designer Kara Harmon, lighting designer Peter Maradudin, sound designer Ryan Hickey, and hair, wig, and make-up designer J. Jared Janas. Chelsea Pace and Greg Geffrard are co-intimacy choreographers with fight choreography by Casey Kaleba. Casting is by JZ Casting, Kelly Crandall D’Amboise, and Jorge Acevedo. Kerry Epstein is the production stage manager, Angie Benson is the associate music director, Tony Lauro is the associate hair, wig, and make-up designer, and Alexander Greenberg is the keyboard programmer.
Assisting on the creative team are Taryn Friend, Kelsey Jenkins, Ezinne Elele, and Channing Tucker.
Based on the novel by Alice Walker and the Steven Spielberg-directed movie of the same name, The Color Purple features a book by Marsha Norman and music and lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis, and Stephen Bray.
PEEK: See Nova Y. Payton, Frenchie Davis, and More in Signature's The Color Purple
The musical premiered on Broadway in 2005 and was revived a decade later. The revival received Tony Awards for Best Revival of a Musical and Best Actress in a Musical for Cynthia Erivo’s performance as Celie, as well as nominations for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical and Best Direction. The Color Purple also won the 2017 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.
Warner Bros.' feature film adaptation of the The Color Purple musical is slated to hit theatres December 20, 2023.
