The critically acclaimed musical The Color Purple is returning to Broadway this fall with a star-studded cast. Originally a 1982 novel by Alice Walker, The Color Purple was first adapted into a film in 1985 starring Whoopi Goldberg, Danny Glover and Oprah Winfrey. The musical premiered on Broadway in 2005 with a book by Marsha Norman and music and lyrics by Brenda Russell, Alee Willis and Stephen Bray. This revival is directed by Brit John Doyle (The Visit), who is famous for directing versions of Stephen Sondheim musicals where the cast doubles as an orchestra.  

The show follows Celie, who begins the musical as a young, pregnant teenager living in Georgia in the early twentieth century. Her coming of age story unfolds as she and her family deal with anguish, racism, and sexism. Cynthia Erivo originated Celie in the British production and continues her role on Broadway. Jennifer Hudson (Dreamgirls film) makes her Broadway debut as singer Shug Avery. Danielle Brooks (Orange is the New Black) plays Sofia, a role made famous by Oprah Winfrey in the film. Rounding out the cast are Kyle Scatliffe (Les Miserables) as Harpo, Isaiah Johnson (Side Show) as Mister, and Joaquina Kalukango (Holler if Ya Hear Me) as Nettie. 

It’s notable that this production would have been actor Kyle Jean-Baptiste’s second Broadway show. At 21, he was the youngest and first African-American Jean Valjean to star in Broadway’s Les Miserables. Only a week before his last scheduled performance and before the start his work in the Color Purple, Jean-Baptiste passed away from a tragic accident. 

The Color Purple begins previews November 10th at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre and opens December 10th.