The Color Purple Heads To Philly

BROADWAY’S BEST-LOVED MUSICAL

IS NOW PHILADELPHIA’S BEST LOVED MUSICAL

THE COLOR PURPLE

WILL PLAY THE ACADEMY OF MUSIC JUNE 17 – JULY 13

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!



(April 3, 2008)) – Oprah Winfrey, Scott Sanders and the producing team of the Broadway smash hit THE COLOR PURPLE, The Musical about Love, are proud to announce that Philadelphia will host the first North American Touring production of THE COLOR PURPLE for 32 performances beginning June 17 – July 13. The press opening is Tuesday, June 17 at 7:30 pm.



Part of the Cadillac Broadway Series, tickets ranging in price from $28 to $87.50 are on sale now. A limited number of premium box seats are available for $100 and $138. Tickets can be purchased by calling 215-731-3333, online at www.kimmelcenter.org/broadway, at the Kimmel Center box office, Broad & Spruce Streets (open daily 10 am to 6 pm) or at the Academy of Music box office, Broad & Locust Streets (during performances only). Groups of 20 or more will receive discounts for select performances by calling 215-790-5883 or 866-276-2947. Performances include: Tuesday – Thursday evenings at 7:30 pm; Friday & Saturday evenings at 8:00 pm; Sunday evenings at 6:30 pm; matinees Saturdays at 2:00 pm, Sundays at 1:00 pm, and a matinee Wednesday July 2 at 2:00 pm. No performances are scheduled for Friday, July 4.



Nominated for eleven Tony Awards®, including Best Musical, THE COLOR PURPLE opened on December 1, 2006 at the Broadway Theatre where it ran for over two record-breaking years. It 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/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, and is produced in special association with AEG Live.



The original cast recording is available on EMI/Angel Records, and THE COLOR PURPLE: A Memory Book of the Broadway Musical (Avalon/Carroll & Graf) is available in bookstores now. Ariel Mutual Funds is a proud sponsor of THE COLOR PURPLE.



The 2007-08 Cadillac Broadway Series marks the first full season of cooperation between Kimmel Center, Inc. and Shubert Organization, Inc., where theatrical presentations in Philadelphia will be presented at the Academy of Music and the Forrest Theatre. In addition to The Color Purple, the season also includes: Hairspray (May 2-4); Gypsy (May 9-11); David Copperfield: An Intimate Evening of Grand Illusion (May 16-17 Mamma Mia! (July 15-27); and Monty Python’s SPAMALOT (Aug.14-31).



All performances of Cadillac Broadway Series are supported by Cadillac, CITI, Target, WPVI-TV 6, The Philadelphia Coca-Cola Bottling Company, The Philadelphia Inquirer and The Philadelphia Daily News. American Airlines is the Official Airline of Cadillac Broadway Series.