The producers of THE COLOR PURPLE confirm that American Idol Season 3 winner Fantasia Barrino is set to make her Broadway debut in the starring role of Celie beginning Tuesday, April 10, 2007. The Grammy-nominated fan-favorite performed a re-orchestrated version of her character’s signature song to announce to millions worldwide “I’m Here.” No stranger to acting, Fantasia also broke records of a different kind after authoring a New York Times best-selling autobiography Life Is Not A Fairy Tale (Simon & Schuster, September 2005) and starring in The Fantasia Barrino Story: Life is Not a Fairytale, the Debbie Allen-directed Lifetime original movie adaptation of her truthful, outspoken, and ultimately healing memoir in August 2006. For her performance, she was nominated for a 2007 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special. The biopic, also nominated as Outstanding Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special for the 2007 NAACP Image Awards, ranks as the channel’s second most watched movie and has been seen by 19 million viewers. Now in its 2nd smash year on Broadway, the producers of THE COLOR PURPLE have announced that in less than a year, the production has recouped its entire $11 million investment. Since its first preview on November 1, 2005 THE COLOR PURPLE has the highest cumulative attendance figures of any new Broadway show of the 2005-2006 season. Nearly 750,000 audience members from across the country and around the world have seen the production. THE COLOR PURPLE, which celebrated its first year anniversary December 1, 2006 has grossed over $60 million in ticket sales. Having garnered 11 2006 Tony Award nominations, THE COLOR PURPLE announced its first North American Tour, which kicks off in Chicago on April 17, 2007 at The Cadillac Palace Theatre. From Alice Walker’s classic Pulitzer Prize-winning novel and the landmark film by Steven Spielberg, comes a soul-stirring musical. THE COLOR PURPLE is an inspiring and unforgettable story of a woman, who, through love, finds the strength to triumph over adversity and discover her unique voice in the world. With a moving book and a score featuring gospel, jazz, pop and the blues, THE COLOR PURPLE is about hope, a testament to the healing power of love and a celebration of life. THE COLOR PURPLE 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 current performance schedule is Tuesday at 7PM, Wednesday at 2PM, Thursday – Friday at 8PM, Saturday at 2PM and 8PM and Sunday at 2PM and 7:30PM. Beginning Tuesday May 29, 2007 the performance schedule will be Wednesday at 2PM and 8PM, Thursday at 8PM, Friday at 8PM, Saturday at 2PM and 8PM and Sunday at 2PM and 7:30PM. Tickets for THE COLOR PURPLE can be purchased via Telecharge.com/(212) 239-6200 or at The Broadway Theatre Box Office, 1681 Broadway at 53rd Street. Tickets are scaled at $116.25 – $26.25.
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