Photo Flash: National Theatre's COLOR PURPLE

The National Theatre is proud to announce that THE COLOR PURPLE, The Musical about Love, will return to D.C. for an Easter engagement April 12 to 24, and will feature special guest star Lil' Mo as the Church Soloist.

Tickets for THE COLOR PURPLE, starting at $51.50, are on sale now at the National Theatre Box Office, and through Telecharge at Telecharge.com or by calling (800) 447-7400. For groups of 10 or more, call (866) 276-2947. For more information, call (202) 628-6161 or visit www.NationalTheatre.org.

Lil' Mo hosts "The Lil' Mo Show" on D.C.'s powerhouse Hip Hop and R&B station, WPGC-95.5 FM, from 2 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. As a recording artist and songwriter, Lil' Mo has collaborated with Missy Elliott, Jay-Z, Fabolous, Ja Rule, Keith Sweat, Black Street, Bow Wow, Kim Burrell and the list goes on. Her first two studio albums, Based On A True Story and Meet the Girl Next Door, produced the hits "Superwoman (Part II)" and "4Ever" (both songs featuring Fabolous). Most recently, Lil' Mo released Pain and Paper in 2007 and is now gearing up for the P.S. I Love, Me album, which drops later this year.

"When I got the call to be part of the production, I was so excited," says Lil' Mo. "This is a dream come true - I'm honored, and most 0f all, grateful."

This production of THE COLOR PURPLE, produced by Phoenix Entertainment ~ Joyful Noisemakers LLC, helmed by Stephen Kane and Michael McFadden, is the next phase in the life of the ground-breaking Broadway hit musical produced by Scott Sanders. The original Broadway musical opened on December 1, 2005, and was nominated for eleven Tony Awards®, including Best Musical. THE COLOR PURPLE ran for more than two years on Broadway, followed by a three year First National Tour.

THE COLOR PURPLE is based on the classic Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker and the moving film by Steven Spielberg. It is the unforgettable and inspiring story of a woman named Celie, who finds the strength to triumph over adversity, and discover her unique voice in the world. With a joyous, GRAMMY®-nominated score featuring gospel, jazz, pop and the blues, THE COLOR PURPLE is about hope and the healing power of love.

The Associated Press described THE COLOR PURPLE as "a Roof-Raising story of triumph." And 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 raved, "Pure heart! It celebrates the inspiring relationships of faith and love, A Broadway hit!"

THE COLOR PURPLE is directed by Gary Griffin and 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. Rounding out the creative team are Tony Award®-winner John Lee Beatty (sets), Paul Tazewell (costumes), Tony Award®-winner Brian MacDevitt (lighting), Craig Cassidy (sound design), Steven M. Bishop (orchestrations/arrangements), and Jasper Grant (music director).

Stephen Kane and Michael McFadden have long been principal partners of Phoenix Entertainment and collectively share theatrical touring credits spanning nearly three decades on four continents. Their production repertoire includes: Grease starring Frankie Avalon, The Will Rogers Follies starring Larry Gatlin, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Gypsy, Man of La Mancha, The Pajama Game, Fame, Godspell, The Vagina Monologues, The King & I, Smokey Joe's Café, Singin' in the Rain, Buddy, Ring of Fire and Late Nite Catechism, among others.

The original cast recording is available on EMI/Angel Records.

Photo Credit: Scott Suchman