The Color Purple Treats Chicago Travelers to First On-Flight

The cast of The Color Purple "took in-flight entertainment to new heights" today by surprising Chicago travelers with the first-ever in-flight Broadway performance. The in-flight debut took place on AirTran Airways to celebrate the airline's new nonstop service from Chicago to New York.

"Passengers aboard AirTran Airways Flight 883 experienced the best seats in the house for the best show in the sky, all while traveling on the first ever Broadway stage -- AirTran Airways' Boeing 717 aircraft. Complete with playbills and stage lights, the cast of The Color Purple brought the thrill of the New York stage to Chicago travelers," according to a press article.

In addition to the daily nonstop flights from Chicago's Midway International Airport to New York/Newark Liberty International Airport, the airline also operates nonstop daily service to Atlanta, Boston, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Sarasota/Bradenton and Orlando. With new nonstop service to Charlotte and Dallas/Ft. Worth starting May 9, the airline will operate 32 daily departures from Chicago Midway to eight nonstop destinations by mid-May 2006.

Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning Alice Walker novel and the Steven Speilberg film that it inspired, The Color Purple features LaChanze as Celie, the musical's central character in its story of incest, pain, love and redemption. The hit show boasts Oprah Winfrey (who was featured in the film) among its producing team. Darlesia Cearcy, Felicia P. Fields, Brandon Dixon, Elizabeth Withers-Mendes, Kingsley Leggs, and Krisha Marcano are among the show's cast, as well. The show opened at the Broadway Theatre on December 1st, 2005.

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, visit www.colorpurple.com. For more information on AirTran Airways and their new schedules, visit www.airtran.com.