The Chicago production of The Color Purple will extend its stay at Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theatre until September 30, after which the show's national tour will begin in San Francisco. The production is directed by Gary Griffin, who also helmed the still-running Broadway version.

The show stars Jeanette I. Bayardelle as Celie; Felicia P. Fields as Sofia; LaToya London as Nettie; and Michelle Williams as Shug Avery. The cast also includes Rufus Bonds, Jr. as Mister; Stu James as Harpo; Stephanie St. James as Squeak; 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.

The ensemble features Shani Borden, Brian H. Brooks, Renee Monique Brown, Tiffany Daniels, Quentin Earl Darrington, Kellen Davis, Lesley Terrell Donald, Andre Garner, Dameka Hayes, LaTonya Holmes, Jenna Ford Jackson, Trent Armand Kendall, Grasan Kingsberry, Keith Byron Kirk, Rhett George, Corrine McFarlane, Sumayah McRae, Anthony Wayne, and Mariama Whyte.

Based on the Alice Walker novel and the Steven Spielberg film, the musical features a score by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis, and Stephen Bray, and a book by Marsha Norman. The design team features John Lee Beatty (sets), Paul Tazewell (costumes), Brian MacDevitt (lighting), and Jon Weston (sound), all of whom worked on the Broadway show.