Cynthia Erivo, Nicola Hughes and More Cast in THE COLOR PURPLE at London's Menier Chocolate Factory

Principal casting has been announced for the European premiere of The Color Purple, beginning performances at London's Menier Chocolate Factory July 5 prior to an official opening July 15 for a run through Sept. 14.

The production will feature Cynthia Erivo as Celie (UK tour of Sister Act: The Musical, LIFT at Soho Theatre and in The Umbellas of Cherbourg at the Gielgud), Nicola Hughes as Shug (Olivier-nominated for Best Actress in a Musical for Porgy and Bess at the Savoy Theatre, Fosse), Adebayo Bolaji as Harpo (Ghost in the West End) and Abiona Omonua as Nettie (Legally Blonde in the West End and Hairsprayon the UK tour).

The production is directed and designed by John Doyle (UK premiere of Sondheim's Road Show at the Menier Chocolate Factory, New York's Public Theate, Off-Broadway's Passion, Sweeney Todd and Company on Broadway, and Peter Grimes for the Metropolitan Opera, West End's Mack and Mabel and The Gondoliers).

An unforgettable story of enduring love and triumph over adversity, The Color Purple is a landmark musical from the Pulitzer Prize winning novel by Alice Walker .

This stirring family chronicle follows the inspirational Celie, as she journeys from childhood through joy and despair, anguish and hope to discover the power of love and life. With a fresh, joyous score of jazz, ragtime, gospel and blues, this European premiere is directed byJohn Doyle (Road Show at the Menier Chocolate Factory), adapted for the stage by Pulitzer Prize and Tony award winner Marsha Norman , with music and lyrics by Grammy award winners Brenda Russell , Allee Willis and Stephen Bray .

Further casting will be announced at a later date.

For tickets or more information, visit www.menierchocolatefactory.com