'The Color Purple' LA Tour Tickets On-Sale 9/23, Opens 12/13

The Color Purple, The Musical about Love, announces that tickets will go on sale Sunday, September 23 at 11AM for the Los Angeles engagement of the first North American touring production at the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre at the Los Angeles Music Center for 12 weeks only, December 13, 2007, through March 9, 2008.

The Color Purple will have a special ticket hot line 213-972-4400 to purchase tickets by phone.  Tickets can also be purchased online at www.CenterTheatreGroup.org and in person at the Center Theatre Group box office at the Music Center.  Group tickets can be obtained by calling 213-972-7231, and the information and charge by phone number for the deaf community is TDD 213-680-4017.

The Color Purple will feature stars of the Broadway production, Jeannette Bayardelle and Felicia P. Fields, along with Destiny's Child's Michelle Williams and American Idol alum LaToya London.

Jeannette Bayardelle comes to the tour directly from the Broadway production as the lead character Celie.  Jeannette released her debut CD "Praise Report" in 2005, and has toured in productions of Big River, Rent and Sister Act.  She joins her Broadway cast-mate Felicia P. Fields, who originated the role of Sofia, for which she received a Tony Award nomination. Felicia has received numerous awards and nominations for her work on and Off-Broadway.  Michelle Williams, former member of "Destiny's Child" - one of the best-selling female groups of all time – will play the role of Shug Avery.  Williams also starred on Broadway, as the love-crossed Nubian princess in Elton John and Tim Rice's hit musical Aida.  Celie's sister Nettie will be played by LaToya London.  London was named the early front runner to win season three of "American Idol" by Simon Cowell and Elton John.  On air she joined the ranks of the aptly named "Three Divas;" along side Jennifer Hudson and Fantasia (who currently plays Celie in the Broadway production).

Also starring in the North American Tour are Rufus Bonds, Jr. as Mister, Stu James as Harpo and Stephanie St. James as Squeak.  Ensemble members are:  Lynette DuPree, Kimberly Ann Harris and Virginia Ann Woodruff as the Church Ladies, Bridgette Bentley as the Church Soloist, and Adam Wade as Ol' Mister.  Rounding out the cast are Shani Borden, Brian Harlan Brooks, Reneé Monique Brown, Tiffany Daniels, Quentin Earl Darrington, Alex de Castro, Lesly Terrell Donald, Aliyah D. Flowers, André Garner, Dameka Hayes, LaTonya Holmes, Jenna Ford Jackson, Trent Armand Kendall, Grasan Kingsberry, Keith Byron Kirk, Rhett George, Sumayah McRae, Kristopher Thompson-Bolden, Anthony Wayne, Diamond White, Mariama Whyte and Anthony Williams II. 

Nominated for 11 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, The Color Purple opened on December 1, 2006, at the Broadway Theatre where it continues its record breaking run.  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.

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) has been reunited for the tour.

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