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'The Color Purple' plays Ruth Eckerd Hall
| Article published on Monday, Nov. 16, 2009 |
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CLEARWATER Oprah Winfrey, Scott Sanders and the producing team of the Broadway smash hit "The Color Purple, The Musical about Love," announce that Clearwater will host the exclusive Tampa Bay area premiere of the North American Touring production of "The Color Purple" for eight performances, Nov. 2429.
Nominated for 11 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, "The Color Purple" opened on Dec. 1, 2005 at the Broadway Theatre where it ran for over two record-breaking years.
The show is based on the classic Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker and the moving film by Steven Spielberg. It is the unforgettable and inspiring story of a woman named Celie, who finds the strength to triumph over adversity, and discover her unique voice in the world.
With a joyous Grammy-nominated score featuring gospel, jazz, pop and the blues, "The Color Purple" is about hope and the healing power of love.
Michael Kuchwara, 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!
As on Broadway, the first North American Tour of "The Color Purple" is directed by Gary Griffin.
"The Color Purple" features a libretto by Pulitzer Prize-winner Marsha Norman, music and lyrics by Grammy Award-winning composers and lyricists Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray, and choreography by Donald Byrd. The original creative team of Tony Award-winner John Lee Beatty (sets), Paul Tazewell (costumes), Tony Award-winner Brian MacDevitt (lighting), Jon Weston (sound), Jonathan Tunick (orchestrations) and Kevin Stites (Music Supervisor) was reunited for the tour.
The first North American Tour is produced by Oprah Winfrey, Scott Sanders, Roy Furman, Quincy Jones, Creative Battery, Anna Fantaci & Cheryl Lachowicz, Independent Presenters Network, Lowy Family Group, Stephanie McClelland, Gary Winnick, Jan Kallish, Nederlander Presentations, Inc., Bob and Harvey Weinstein, Andrew Asnes & Adam Zotovich and Todd Johnson.
"The Color Purple" will be at Ruth Eckerd Hall Tuesday through Sunday, Nov. 24-29. Show times is 8 p.m., Nov. 24-25, 27-28, with 2 p.m. matinees Nov. 25, 27, 28 plus a 3 p.m. show on Nov. 29. No show is scheduled on Thursday, Nov. 26.
Reserved tickets priced at $70, $60, $50 and $40 are available at the Ruth Eckerd Hall Ticket Office located at 1111 McMullen Booth Road in Clearwater; by calling 727-791-7400; and online at www.rutheckerdhall.com or www.ticketmaster.com.
For more information about, "The Color Purple" at www.colorpurple.com.
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Article published on Monday, Nov. 16, 2009
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