THE COLOR PURPLE Holds First NA Tour 5/26-5/31

Oprah Winfrey, Scott Sanders and the producing team of the Broadway smash hit THE COLOR PURPLE, are proud to announce that the Providence Performing Arts Center will host the first North American Touring production of THE COLOR PURPLE, The Musical About Love, for eight performances from May 26 - 31.

THE COLOR PURPLE performance times are as follows: Tuesday, May 26 at 8:00P; Wednesday, May 27 at 7:30P; Thursday, May 28 at 7:30P; Friday, May 29 at 8:00P; Saturday, May 30 at 2:00P & 8:00P; Sunday, May 31 at 1:00 & 6:30P. Ticket prices for THE COLOR PURPLE are $73, $68, $66, $61, $56, $51, and $46; all ticket prices include a $3 per ticket restoration charge. Tickets may be purchased at PPAC's Box Office window at 220 Weybosset Street in downtown Providence, or by calling (401) 421-ARTS, Monday - Friday from 10A - 5P and Saturdays from 10A - 2P; patrons may also visit www.ppacri.org to purchase tickets anytime. Discounted admission is available for groups of 20 or more; for more information, email Paul Hiatt at phiatt@ppacri.org or call (401) 574-3162.

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.

For more information about THE COLOR PURPLE, please visit www.colorpurple.com.

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