THE COLOR PURPLE Tour Arrives In Dayton 4/21-26

Oprah Winfrey, Scott Sanders and the producing team of the Broadway smash hit THE COLOR PURPLE, The Musical about Love, are proud to announce that Dayton will host the North American Touring production of THE COLOR PURPLE, April 21 - 26 at the Schuster Center, as part of Victoria Theatre Association's Chase Broadway Series.

Nominated for 11 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 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.

THE COLOR PURPLE is on stage at the Schuster Center, April 21 - 26. Performance times are Tuesday through Friday evenings at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Tickets start at $30, with discounts available for available for groups, students and senior citizens. Tickets are on sale now through Ticket Center Stage, and may be purchased at the Schuster Center box office in downtown Dayton or by phone, at (937) 228-3630 or toll free (888) 228-3630. Ticket Center Stage hours are Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Saturday, noon - 4 p.m., and two hours prior to each performance. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.ticketcenterstage.com. Group discounts for 20 or more are available by calling Barrie Denmark, at 937-228-7591, ext. 3074.

Audiences are invited to learn more about the show at a free JPMorgan Background on Broadway session, April 25 at 1 p.m. on The Dayton Power and Light Company Foundation Stage in the Wintergarden of the Schuster Center. Joe Deer, head of Wright State University's Musical Theatre Department, will be the speaker. JPMorgan Background on Broadway provides informative and entertaining talks by theatre professionals, focusing on production history, musical highlights, and insider anecdotes.

There will also be an opening night cast party, immediately following the April 21 performance, at The Dayton Racquet Club, located on the top floor of the Kettering Tower in downtown Dayton. The party is free and open to all ticket holders, and includes free hors d'oeuvres and cash bar - plus the possibility of meeting members of the cast! The Dayton Racquet Club is the Official Cast Party Host of the Chase Broadway Series.

Victoria Theatre Association's presentation of THE COLOR PURPLE receives support from Leadership Sponsors WDTN-TV Channel 2, Eastman Kodak Company and The Dayton Power and Light Company Foundation, with additional support from Performance Sponsors The Dental Care Plus Group, Robbins & Myers and Sinclair Community College. THE COLOR PURPLE is part of the second African-American Arts Festival, sponsored by KeyBank.

For more information about Victoria Theatre Association and the performances it presents, visit www.victoriatheatre.com. For more information about THE COLOR PURPLE, please visit www.colorpurple.com.

 

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