THEATRE + COMEDY

The Grand 1894 Opera House presents The Color Purple- The Musical about Love, Saturday, February 5, 2011 at 3pm and 8pm. From the classic Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker, and the moving film by Steven Spielberg, comes a soul-stirring new musical and journey of survival and triumph!

A ground-breaking American musical visits The Grand! From the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker and the moving film by Steven Spielberg, comes a stirring Broadway musical featuring a joyous GRAMMY®-nominated score combining jazz, gospel, and blues. A journey of survival and triumph.

The Color Purple is a soul-stirring musical. It is the unforgettable and inspirational story of a woman named Celie, who finds the strength to triumph over adversity, and discover her unique voice in the world. The original Broadway musical opened on December 1, 2005, and ran for over two years on Broadway followed by a three year First National Tour. This landmark theatrical event was nominated for eleven Tony Awards®, including Best Musical. With a joyous GRAMMY®-nominated score featuring jazz, gospel and blues, The Color Purple is about hope and the healing power of love.

This production of The Color Purple, produced by Phoenix Entertainment helmed by Stephen Kane and Michael McFadden, is directed by Gary Griffin and 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. Rounding out the creative team are Tony Award®-winner John Lee Beatty (sets), Paul Tazewell (costumes), Tony Award®-winner Brian MacDevitt (lighting), Craig Cassidy (sound design), Steven M. Bishop (Orchestrations/Arrangements), and Jasper Grant (Music Director).

Michael Kuchwara of the Associated Press described The Color Purple as “a Roof-Raising story of triumph.”

And Richard Corliss of TIME Magazine said, “it is a soaring, epic tale. It made a joyful noise in my heart.”

Elysa Gardner from USA Today raved, “Pure heart! It celebrates the inspiring relationships of faith and love, A Broadway hit!”