"The Color Purple"
Features Broadway Stars
June 16 - 28 At The Wang

Oprah Winfrey, Scott Sanders and the producing team of the Broadway smash hit "The Color Purple: The Musical about Love," have announced casting for the first North American Touring production's two-week Boston engagement. Playing at the Citi Performing Arts Center Wang Theatre June 16 - 28, the production will star three actresses from the Broadway production, Kenita R. Miller (below), Felicia P. Fields and Angela Robinson.

Based on the classic Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker and the moving film by Steven Spielberg, the stage musical presents the inspiring story of a woman named Celie, who triumphs over adversity while discovering her unique voice in the world. With a Grammy-nominated score featuring gospel, jazz, pop and the blues, "The Color Purple" is about hope and the healing power of love. Nominated for eleven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, the original New York production opened December 1, 2005, at the Broadway Theatre where it ran for more than two record-breaking years.

"The Color Purple" features a libretto by Pulitzer Prize-winner Marsha Norman, music and lyrics by Grammy Award-winning composers/lyricists Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray, and choreography by Donald Byrd. As on Broadway, the tour of "The Color Purple" is directed by Gary Griffin.

Michael Kuchwara, from Associated Press, described "The Color Purple" as “a roof-raising story of triumph.” Richard Corliss of Time magazine said, “[it is] a soaring, epic tale. It made a joyful noise in my heart.” Elysa Gardner from USA Today added, “Pure heart! It celebrates the inspiring relationships of faith and love, A Broadway hit!”

The cast of "The Color Purple" tour features Kenita R. Miller as Celie, Felicia P. Fields as Sofia (the role for which she received a Tony Award nomination), and Angela Robinson as Shug Avery. Rufus Bonds, Jr. (Mufasa in the Broadway production of "The Lion King") will play Mister and LaToya London (season three “American Idol” fourth place finalist) will play the role of Celie’s sister, Nettie.

The Boston engagement of "The Color Purple" is part of SpectrumBoston, a 5-month city-wide collaboration that reflects, celebrates, and engages diverse audiences through special programs, events and activities. Lead Community Partners include the Boston Public Library, City of Boston/Arts, Tourism and Special Events, Citi Performing Arts Center, Museum of African American History and WGBH. Approximately 1000 underserved youth and families will be able to attend a performance of "The Color Purple" thanks to support provided by the Paul A. Kaplan Ticket Access Fund.

For information and tickets, stop by the box office of the Citi Wang, call 866-348-9738 or visit www.citicenter.org

Production Photo: Paul Kolnick

-- OnStage Boston