THE COLOR PURPLE National Tour Plays Music Hall 4/28-5/3

Oprah Winfrey, Scott Sanders and the producing team of the Broadway smash hit THE COLOR PURPLE, The Musical about Love, are proud to present the first North American Touring production of THE COLOR PURPLE in Kansas City for 8 performances, April 28-May 3, 2009. Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased at the Music Hall Box Office and at participating Ticketmaster outlets (800-982-2787) or online at ticketmaster.com.

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.

THE COLOR PURPLE will play the Music Hall April 28-May 3, 2009. The performance schedule will be Tuesday through Saturday Evenings at 8 pm, Saturday Matinees at 2 pm, Sunday Matinees at 2 pm and Sunday Evenings at 7 pm. Ticket prices range from $25.00 to $70.00 and are available at the Music Hall Box Office and at participating Ticketmaster outlets (800-982-2787) or online at ticketmaster.com. Orders for groups of twenty (20) or more may be placed by calling 866-928-7469 Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

THE COLOR PURPLE is a part of M&I Bank Broadway Across America's 2008/09 Season and is presented by special arrangement with Theatre League.

Theater League presents touring Broadway in performing arts centers around the country from its offices here in the Kansas City area. The organization is sponsoring an educational outreach program with support from the Broadway League and Theater League contributors.

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