The Color Purple Web Site Launches...

By: Jan. 13, 2005
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The Color Purple, headed to Broadway in 2005 has launched a new web site for the production at www.colorpurple.com

An American classic comes to the Broadway stage in its first-ever soul-stirring musical adaptation. The Color Purple is based on Alice Walker's beloved Pulitzer Prize-winning novel and Steven Spielberg's film of the same name, nominated for 11 Academy Awards. This story has touched millions of people around the world and continues to do so today. The Color Purple ranks among the top 5 most reread books of fiction, according to the American Library Association.

The Color Purple is a family saga of adversity, inspiration and triumph as Walker's diverse and unforgettable characters come vividly to life on stage. The musical brings to the audience a tale of the human spirit, a story of hope in the healing power of love and a celebration of life in song. The Color Purple musical has tremendous "heart," and entertains with dance and the sounds of blues, jazz, gospel and swing.

Director Gary Griffin (Associate Director, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre; City Center Encores: New Moon and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn; London's Donmar Warehouse, Pacific Overtures) leads a stellar creative team including Grammy Award-winning composer/lyricists Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray; Pulitzer Prize-winner Marsha Norman ('night Mother) as librettist; choreographer Donald Byrd (The Harlem Nutcracker; Artistic Director of Spectrum Dance Theater in Seattle; founder of Donald Byrd/The Group); orchestrations by Tony Award-winner Jonathan Tunick (Into the Woods, Nine, Sweeney Todd) and musical director Linda Twine (Caroline, or Change; Jelly's Last Jam).

The production features scenic designs by Tony Award-winner John Lee Beatty (Chicago, Proof), lighting design by Tony Award-winner Brian MacDevitt (Nine, Urinetown, Into the Woods), costume design by Paul Tazewell (Caroline, or Change; Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk; Russell Simmons' Def Poetry Jam) and sound design by Jon Weston (Nine, Thoroughly Modern Millie.)

The Color Purple premiered at Atlanta's Alliance Theater, breaking the theater's 36-year box office record and playing to sold-out crowds, including such notable audience members as President Jimmy and Roslyn Carter and Coretta Scott King.

The Color Purple is scheduled to open on Broadway in the 2005-2006 season.



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