Miller, Fields, Robinson Announced For Boston's THE COLOR PURPLE, Opens 6/17

Oprah Winfrey, Scott Sanders and the producing team of the Broadway smash hit THE COLOR PURPLE, The Musical about Love, have announced casting for the first North American Touring production's two-week Boston engagement. Playing at the Citi Performing Arts Center Wang Theatre Tuesday, June 16 through Sunday, June 28, 2009, THE COLOR PURPLE will star three actresses from the Broadway production, Kenita R. Miller, Felicia P. Fields, and Angela Robinson. Sponsored in Boston by Citibank and presented by the Citi Performing Arts Center and Madison Square Garden Entertainment, tickets are now on sale. Press night is scheduled for Wednesday, June 17 at 7 p.m.

Nominated for eleven Tony Awards®, including Best Musical, THE COLOR PURPLE opened on December 1, 2005 at the Broadway Theatre where it ran for more than 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, from 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!"

The cast of THE COLOR PURPLE tour features Kenita R. Miller as the lead character Celie, the role she performed in the Broadway production. She is joined by Broadway company members Felicia P. Fields, returning to the role she originated, Sofia (for which she received a Tony Award nomination), and Angela Robinson, in the role of Shug Avery. Rufus Bonds, Jr. (Mufasa in Julie Taymor's Broadway production of The Lion King) will play Mister and LaToya London (season three "American Idol" fourth place finalist) will play the role of Celie's sister, Nettie.

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 Boston engagement of THE COLOR PURPLE is sponsored by Citibank and presented by Citi Performing Arts Center and Madison Square Garden Entertainment. The presentation of THE COLOR PURPLE is part of SpectrumBoston (www.spectrumboston.org), a 5-month city-wide collaboration that reflects, celebrates, and engages diverse audiences through special programs, events and activities. Lead Community Partners include the Boston Public Library, City of Boston/Arts, Tourism and Special Events, Citi Performing Arts Center, Museum of African American History and WGBH. Approximately 1000 underserved youth and families will be able to attend a performance of THE COLOR PURPLE thanks to support provided by the Paul A. Kaplan Ticket Access Fund.

THE COLOR PURPLE plays at the Citi Performing Arts Center Wang Theatre Tuesday, June 16 through Sunday, June 28. Performances are Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 8:00 p.m. (except Wednesday, June 17 at 7 p.m.); Sunday evenings at 7:00 p.m.; with matinees Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. and Sundays at 1:00 p.m. Tickets are priced at $100.00 - $28.00; all prices include a $3.00 facility-education/public programming fee per ticket.

Tickets for THE COLOR PURPLE are on sale at the Citi Performing Arts Center Box Office, online at www.citicenter.org or by calling 866-348-9738. Discounted tickets are available for groups of 10 or more by calling Citi Performing Arts Center Group Sales at 617-532-1116. THE COLOR PURPLE is an exclusive attraction of The Club at Citi Performing Arts Center. Club members can purchase tickets by calling 877-232-8898, online at www.citicenter.org/club or in person at the Box Office Monday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Photo: Kenita R. Miller, Felicia P. Fields and Lesly Terrell Donald.
Photo credit Paul Kolnik.

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