While Goldsberry's departure has been confirmed by a production spokesperson, no exact date has been set. A replacement has not yet been announced for Goldsberry's role of Nettie, who is the sister of protagonist Celie.The Color Purple,
which will begin previews at the Broadway Theatre (1681 Broadway at
53rd St.) on November 1st, will feature
LaChanze as Celie, the
central character in the musical's story of incest, pain, love and
redemption. The star was also seen in that role when the musical
premiered at Atlanta's ALLIANCE THEATRE in 2004 (to generally positive
reviews). In that production, Felicia P. Fields played the volatile and
Sofia and Kingsley Leggs appeared as Mister; those two performers will
return to the Broadway production alongside Goldsberry (Two Gentlemen of Verona, The Lion King) as Nettie and Elisabeth Withers as Shug. The
show will also feature Brandon Victor Dixon as Harpo and Krisha Marcano as
Squeak.
As in Atlanta, Gary Griffin (A Little Night Music at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Pacific Overtures in Chicago and London) will direct the musical. Marsha
Norman (Pulitzer Prize-winner for 'night, Mother, The Secret Garden) wrote the book, while the eclectic score, which blends gospel, pop, ragtime and blues, was penned by pop
tunesmiths Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray. Donald Byrd has replaced Atlanta's Ken Robertson as The Color Purple's choreographer, while the design team
design team still comprises John Lee Beatty (sets), Paul Tazewell
(costumes), Brian MacDevitt (lighting), and Jon Weston (sound).
Orchestrations will be provided by Jonathan Tunick, while Kevin Stites
is the music supervisor and Linda Twine the musical director. Oprah Winfrey spearheads its group of producers.Speilberg's
1985 film, which starred Whoopi Goldberg as Celie, Winfrey as
Sofia and Danny Glover as Albert, was nominated for 11 Academy Awards,
including Best Picture.
Tickets for The Color Purple can be purchased by calling (212) 239-6200 or visiting the Broadway Theatre's box office.
