THE COLOR PURPLE Des Moines Offers Post Show Discussions, Discounts & More

The Iowa debut of Oprah Winfrey'S THE COLOR PURPLE is coming to the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines April 7 to 12, 2009 as part of the Willis Broadway Series. The Civic Center's Education Department has organized a variety of community programs to complement the theater-goers' experience.

PRE-SHOW LECTURES. Beginning 45 minutes before each performance of THE COLOR PURPLE, the Civic Center's Education Department will host a free lecture titled "The Color of Success" which will offer a unique insider's look behind the curtain. This experience will provide guests a better understanding of Alice Walker's story and the journey it took to become a successful Broadway musical.

POST-PERFORMANCE DISCUSSION. There will be a post-performance discussion with cast members of THE COLOR PURPLE immediately following the 7:30 p.m. performance on Friday, April 10. Audience members are invited to a Q&A in the main hall with members of the THE COLOR PURPLE Company who will share their experiences of this show and provide an opportunity for questions and answers. The Q&A is free to all ticket holders.

STUDENT RUSH DISCOUNT TICKETS! The Civic Center is also offering discounted student rush tickets for all performances of THE COLOR PURPLE at $20 per ticket. Student rush tickets will be available for purchase to any student with a current/valid student ID. Tickets must be purchased on the same day as the performance they wish to attend at the Civic Center Ticket Office and are limited to one ticket per student.

EASTER SUNDAY SAVINGS. Purchase four tickets for the price of three to either performance of THE COLOR PURPLE on Easter Sunday, April 12, 2009.

THE COLOR PURPLE, a presentation of the Willis Broadway Series, appears at the Civic Center Tuesday, April 7 to Sunday, April 12, 2009. Tickets for THE COLOR PURPLE are on sale now at the Civic Center Ticket Office, all Ticketmaster locations, charge-by-phone at (800) 745-3000 and online at CivicCenter.org.

All pricing includes a Building Restoration Fee of $2.50

Nominated for eleven Tony Awards®, including Best Musical, THE COLOR PURPLE opened on December 1, 2005 at the Broadway Theatre where it ran for over two record-breaking years. It 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.

Michael Kuchwara, 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!"

As on Broadway, the first North American Tour of THE COLOR PURPLE is directed by Gary Griffin. 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. The original creative team of Tony Award®-winner John Lee Beatty (sets), Paul Tazewell (costumes), Tony Award®-winner Brian MacDevitt (lighting), Jon Weston (sound), Jonathan Tunick (orchestrations) and Kevin Stites (Music Supervisor) was reunited for the tour.

The first North American Tour is produced by Oprah Winfrey, Scott Sanders, Roy Furman, Quincy Jones, Creative Battery, Anna Fantaci & Cheryl Lachowicz, Independent Presenters Network, Lowy Family Group, Stephanie McClelland, Gary Winnick, Jan Kallish, Nederlander Presentations, Inc., Bob and Harvey Weinstein, Andrew Asnes & Adam Zotovich and Todd Johnson.

The original cast recording is available on EMI/Angel Records, and THE COLOR PURPLE: A Memory Book of the Broadway Musical (Avalon/Carroll & Graf) is available in bookstores now. Ariel Investments is a proud sponsor of THE COLOR PURPLE.