Elisabeth Withers News

Original The Color Purple Broadway cast member, Elisabeth Withers-Mendes, who has played the role of Shug Avery since the musical began performances at the Broadway Theatre in November 2005 and throughout its entire record-breaking run, will begin a hiatus from the role on Thursday, January 31, 2008. The Tony nominated actress will return to the role for the final two performances of The Color Purple on Sunday, February 24, 2008. Beginning on Friday, February 1, 2008, Angela Robinson assumes the role of Shug Avery while Withers-Mendes is on leave.

The producers of The Color Purple announced today that the show will play its final performance on Sunday, February 24, 2008 at 7:30pm, after playing 30 preview performances and 910 regular performances at the Broadway Theatre.

Zonya Love made her Broadway debut as Celie, alongside recording-stars Chaka Khan as Sofia and BeBe Winans as Harpo yesterday, Wednesday January 9, 2008, in the smash hit musical 'The Color Purple' with LaKisha Jones, and produced by Oprah Winfrey.

Zonya Love made her Broadway debut as Celie, alongside recording-stars Chaka Khan as Sofia and BeBe Winans as Harpo yesterday, Wednesday January 9, 2008, in the smash hit musical The Color Purple.

Zonya Love makes her Broadway debut as Celie alongside Chaka Khan as Sofia and BeBe Winans as Harpo Wednesday January 9, 2008, in the smash hit musical The Color Purple. Additionally LaKisha Jones, currently playing the Church Soloist, assumes the role of Sofia at all matinee performances.

The producers of The Color Purple are pleased to announce that Zonya Love will make her Broadway debut as Celie in the smash hit musical starting Wednesday, January 9, 2008, alongside Chaka Khan as Sofia and BeBe Winans as Harpo.

Producer Scott Sanders hosted a Christmas Party for the cast of The Color Purple at his Chelsea loft apartment on Saturday, December 8.

The LA Times reports Oprah Winfrey, legendary American talk-show host and producer of Broadway's The Color Purple, may be planning a stage-to-screen adaptation of the hit musical production.

On Sunday, September 16, thousands upon thousands of fans of Broadway assembled in Times Square for the 16th Annual Broadway on Broadway Concert presented by Continental Airlines and hosted by Hairspray's Lance Bass. BroadwayWorld brings you photos backstage with stars from such shows as Les Miserables, Curtains, Chicago, Mary Poppins, Rent, Legally Blonde, The Drowsy Chaperone and more!

On Sunday, September 16th, thousands upon thousands of fans of Broadway assembled in Times Square for the 16th Annual Broadway on Broadway Concert presented by Continental Airlines and hosted by Hairspray's Lance Bass. BroadwayWorld brings you photos of on-stage performances from the concert.

A party celebrating the Broadway debut of 'American Idol' star Fantasia Barrino in the hit musical The Color Purple was held at Spotlight Live in Times Square on April 22nd.

American Idol' winner Fantasia Barrino made Broadway debut in the starring role of Celie in The Color Purple on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 7pm, at the Broadway Theatre!

On February 20th, Kenita R. Miller will join the cast of The Color Purple as Celie. Jeannette Bayardelle, who currently plays the role, leaves the cast on February 18th.

Fantasia Barrino may be the latest 'American Idol' veteran to find work on Broadway, if she is cast as Celie in The Color Purple

A new television special on The Color Purple will celebrate the hit musical's journey from page and screen to the stage.

The Color Purple will celebrate its 500th performance tonight, Tuesday, February 13, 2007 at 7:00PM at the Broadway Theatre

BroadwayWorld presents the sixth in an eight-part preview series leading up to the 10th Annual Broadway Bears auction, presented by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

This November, 'Jeopardy!' viewers will be treated to special in-show performances from some of Broadway's most popular shows when cast members from various Broadway hits make special appearances during 'Celebrity Jeopardy!,' scheduled for broadcast nationally November 8 - 21, 2006 .

The smash hit musical, The Color Purple, nominated for eleven 2006 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and the recipient of a Best Actress Tony Award, for LaChanze (as Celie), celebrates its first year anniversary on Broadway

Chicago native Felicia P. Fields will reprise her 2006 Tony-nominated role of Sofia in the national tour of the hit musical The Color Purple, while NaTasha Yvette Williams will succeed her on Broadway