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.

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

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).

The design team for both Broadway and the tour consists of John Lee Beatty (sets), Paul Tazewell (costumes), Brian MacDevitt (lighting) and Jon Weston (sound).

In addition to Winfrey, The Color Purple's Broadway producing team 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. For tickets to the Broadway version, call (212) 239-6200, visit the Broadway Theatre Box Office at 1681 Broadway or visit the website at www.colorpurple.com.