The Color Purple to Land on Broadway in October

The show will mark the Broadway debut of director Gary Griffin, whose credits include the City Center Encores! production of The New Moon and regional productions of My Fair Lady. The Color Purple has a score by pop singer/songwriter Brenda Russell, Allee Willis, and Stephen Bray; the book was adapted from Walker’s novel by Pulitzer Prize winner Marsha Norman (‘ Night Mother). The production will feature choreography by Donald Byrd, musical direction by Linda Twine, scenic design by John Lee Beatty, lighting design by Brian MacDevitt, costume design by Paul Tazewell, and sound design by Jon Weston.

The Color Purple tells the story of Celie, a young African-American woman who rises from poverty to self-empowerment, entering into love affairs with both men and women along the way. No official casting has been announced for the Broadway production but it is expected that LaChanze, who played the role of Celie last fall at the Alliance Theater in Atlanta, will headline the show. The Alliance cast also featured Felicia P. Fields, Saycon Sengbloh, and Adriane Lenox.

The Broadway Theater became available late last month when The Mambo Kings canceled its engagement there.