'A Purple Cabaret' Benefit Hosted by 'Color Purple' Stars Ja

Co-Stars of The Color Purple from the LA National Tour and Broadway productions join "Friends" to support Valley Musical Theatre in "A Purple Cabaret: The 'Reel' Songs of Hollywood," a benefit for Valley Musical Theatre's Programming and Educational Programs on January 28 at the Coronet Theatre, Los Angeles, CA.

The benefit will include appearances by The Color Purple co-stars Jeanette Bayardelle (Celie), LaToya London (Nettie) and Stephanie St. James (Squeak), plus fellow cast members Shani Borden, Quentin Earl Darrington, Carol Dennis, Andre Garner, Rhett George, Trent Armand Kendall, Grasan Kingsbury, Keith Byron Kirk, Mariama Whyte and Anthony Williams II (now appearing at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles) will join VMT "Friends" Loretta Devine (Dreamgirls – Original Broadway cast member), Nita Whitaker (Musical Theatre Star and Star Search Grand Champion), Todd Hunter (Disney's The Lion King – Broadway and LA), Christa Jackson (Broadway's Smokey Joe's Café and REPRISE's Hair and Pippin), Alli Mauzey (Hairspray and the Pre-Broadway/World Premiere of John Water's Cry Baby), and Marliss Amiea (Disney's The Lion King – Canada and the West End) and others.  A special event highlight will be the appearance of Tony nominated Felicia P. Fields (Sofia in the original cast of The Color Purple). 

"A Purple Cabaret – The 'Reel' Songs of Hollywood" will be presented at the Coronet Theatre (366 N La Cienega Blvd.) on Monday January 28, 2008 at 7:30 PM.

Additional members of the cast include Thomas Hobson, Jacob Nixon, Mimi Vitale, Melina RoChelle and Ty West with others to be added in the very near future.   

"A Purple Cabaret – The 'Reel' Songs of Hollywood" will showcase cast members singing material from the vast catalog of music created for Hollywood films.  Songs from Footloose, Dirty Dancing, An Officer and a Gentleman, Beauty and The Beast, Enchanted, Top Gun, and Moulin Rouge are among the many films which will be represented in the production. 

Tickets are priced at $40 and $60 and may be obtained from the Coronet Theatre Box Office by calling (323) 657-7377.  Special $125 tickets which includes a post show reception with the cast, producers and staff can be purchased by calling (818) 669-8766.   

The production serves as a Benefit for Valley Musical Theatre's continued programming and the educational program to present the arts to schools by bringing students to the theatre for a "free" performance of shows on Valley Musical Theatre's schedule.