Oprah Winfrey Joins Producers of The Color Purple

Talk show host and media personality Oprah Winfrey has joined the producing team of the Broadway musical The Color Purple, based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning 1983 novel by Alice Walker and the 1985 Steven Spielberg film version. Winfrey will be the sole, above the title, presenting producer.

The show will begin performances at the Broadway Theater on November 1 and is set to open officially on December 1. Winfrey joins current producers Scott Sanders, Roy Furman, Quincy Jones, Creative Battery, Anna Fantaci & Cheryl Lachowicz, Independent Presenters Network, Lowy Family Group, Stephanie McClelland, Gary Winnick, Jan Kallish, The Nederlander Organization, Andrew Asnes & Adam Zotovich, and Todd Johnson.

The Color Purple tells the story of Celie, a young African-American woman who, through love, finds the strength to triumph over adversity and discover her unique voice in the world. The Broadway production of the musical will star LaChanze as Celie. Winfrey made her film debut in the movie version of The Color Purple, playing Celie’s sister-in-law, Sofia; that role will be played on Broadway by Felicia P. Fields.

“The Color Purple has long been a part of my life, from the first time I read it over 20 years ago until now, I’ve always wanted as many people as possible to experience this story,” said Winfrey in a press statement. “To present this Broadway production is a dream come true and a full circle moment for me.”

Directed by Gary Griffin, The Color Purple has music and lyrics by Grammy Award-winning composer/lyricists Brenda Russell, Allee Willis, and Stephen Bray. Pulitzer Prize-winner Marsha Norman is the librettist. The creative team also includes choreographer Donald Byrd and musical director Linda Twine. For more information, visit the website www.colorpurple.com.