'Purple' Star Withers-Mendes to Release Solo CD in June

Elisabeth Withers-Mendes--who is curRently Tony-nominated for her performance in The Color Purple--will release her debut solo CD in late June.

"It Can Happen to Anyone," featuring Wither-Mendes' songs, will be released on the EMI label.

Withers-Mendes recently received a Tony Award nomination for playing Shug Avery in The Color Purple.The songwriter of the Billboard hit "Emotions," she has worked with Luther Vandross, Cher and more.The Color Purple marks her Broadway debut.

Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning Alice Walker novel and the Steven Speilberg film that it inspired, The Color Purple also features LaChanze, Darlesia Cearcy, Felicia P. Fields, Brandon Dixon, Kingsley Leggs, and Krisha Marcano among the show's cast. The musical--of which Oprah Winfrey is one of the producers--opened at the Broadway Theatre on December 1st, 2005. The show, a story of incest, pain, love and redemption, is nominated for 10 other Tony Awards.

The Color Purple is directed by Gary Griffin, while Marsha Norman (Pulitzer Prize-winner for 'night, Mother, The Secret Garden) wrote the book. The show's eclectic score, which blends gospel, pop, ragtime and blues, was penned by pop tunesmiths Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray. Donald Byrd is The Color Purple's choreographer, while the design team design team comprises John Lee Beatty (sets), Paul Tazewell (costumes), Brian MacDevitt (lighting), and Jon Weston (sound). Orchestrations were provided by Jonathan Tunick, Kevin Stites is the music supervisor and Linda Twine the musical director.

Tickets for The Color Purple can be purchased by calling (212) 239-6200 or visiting the Broadway Theatre's box office. For more information on The Color Purple, visit www.colorpurple.com.