Dallas Summer Musicals opens The Color Purple this week

by PegNews wire

Oprah Winfrey, Scott Sanders and the producing team of the Broadway smash hit The Color Purple are proud to announce that Dallas will host the first North American Touring production of The Color Purple for 24 performances September 30-October 19, 2008. It will be the final production of Dallas Summer Musicals’ 68th season, and will also be the 2008 State Fair of Texas Musical.

Nominated for eleven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, The Color Purple opened on December 1, 2006 at the Broadway Theatre where it continues its record breaking run. 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.

The Color Purple features stars of the Broadway production, Jeannette Bayardelle, Felicia P. Fields and Angela Robinson, along with American Idol alum LaToya London.

Jeannette Bayardelle comes to the tour directly from the Broadway production as the lead character, Celie. Jeannette released her debut CD Praise Report in 2005, and has toured in productions of Big River, Rent and Sister Act. She joins her Broadway cast-mate Felicia P. Fields, who originated the role of Sofia, for which she received a Tony Award nomination. Felicia has received numerous awards and nominations for her work on and off-Broadway. Also joining the tour direct from the Broadway production is Angela Robinson, who will play the role of Shug Avery. Angela has appeared in several other Broadway productions including Wonderful Town and Bells Are Ringing. Celie’s sister, Nettie, will be played by LaToya London. London was named the early front runner to win season three of American Idol by Simon Cowell and Elton John. On air, she joined the ranks of the aptly named “Three Divas,” alongside Jennifer Hudson and Fantasia (who played Celie in the Broadway production).

Also starring in the North American Tour are Rufus Bonds, Jr. as Mister, Atlanta native and Morehouse College graduate Stu James as Harpo, and Stephanie St. James as Squeak. Ensemble members are: Lynette DuPree, Kimberly Ann Harris and Virginia Ann Woodruff as the Church Ladies, Bridgette Bentley as the Church Soloist, and Adam Wade as Ol’ Mister. Rounding out the cast are Shani Borden, Brian Harlan Brooks, Reneé Monique Brown, LaTrisa Coleman, Darius Crenshaw, Tiffany Daniels, Quentin Earl Darrington, Alex de Castro, Lesly Terrell Donald, Aliyah D. Flowers, André Garner, Rhett George, Phyre Hawkins, Dameka Hayes, Warner Robins natives LaTonya Holmes and Jenna Ford Jackson, Chauncey Jenkins, Trent Armand Kendall, Keith Byron Kirk, Kristopher Thompson-Bolden, Diamond White, and Anthony Williams II.

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.

Tickets are available for purchase online or by calling 214-631-ARTS.

Posted by Shawn