The Color Purple opened at Center Theatre Group's Ahmanson Theatre December 16th, bringing the National Tour to Los Angeles for the holiday season, running through March 9, 2008.
Directed by Gary Griffin, The Color Purple is "a soul-stirring new musical based on the classic Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker and the film by Steven Spielberg, set in Georgia during the years 1909 through 1949 and tells the unforgettable and inspiring story of a woman named Celie, who through love and the strength to overcome adversity, finds her unique voice in the world," according to press notes.
The National Touring production stars Jeannette Bayardelle, Felicia P. Fields, LaToya London, Michelle Williams, Rufus Bonds, Jr., Stu James and Stephanie James.
Turning out for the Los Angeles premiere were Bookwriter Marsha Norman, Producers Quincy Jones and Scott Sanders, Composers Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Sephen Bray, along with a handful of excited celebs including Vanessa Williams, Loretta Devine and Regina King.
Tickets for The Color Purple can be purchased by calling Center Theatre Group Audience Services at (213) 628-2772, in person at the Center Theatre Group box office or on-line at www.CenterTheatreGroup.org. The Ahmanson Theatre is located at 135 N. Grand Avenue in Los Angeles.
Photos by ©Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging.
After Party
Jeannette Bayardelle, Michelle Williams and Felicia P. Fields
Michelle Williams, LaToya London and Felicia P. Fields
Michelle Williams
Jeannette Bayardelle, Margaret Avery (who plays Shug Avery in the film) and Michelle Williams
Jeannette Bayardelle, Margaret Avery and Felicia P. Fields
Rufus Bonds, Jr. and Producer Quincy Jones
Rufus Bonds, Jr. and Stu James
Margaret Avery and Michelle Williams
Producer Scott Sanders and Jeannette Bayardelle
Vanessa Williams
George Takei and Stu James
George Takei and Stu James
Stu James and Felicia P. Fields
LaToya London
LaToya London
George C. Wolfe
George Takei
Henry Simmons
Arrivals
Kenny Lattimore and Chante Moore
CTG Board Member Richard Kagan and wife Julie Hagerty
Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon
Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon
Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon
Loretta Devine
Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon and Loretta Devine
Margaret Avery
Margaret Avery and Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon
Music and lyrics by Stephen Bray, Brenda Russell and Allee Willis
Bobby Valentino
Henry Simmons
Kimberly Elise
Kimberly Elise
Vanessa Williams and daughter Sasha
Musician Trenyce
Curtain Call
Michelle Williams and Rufus Bonds, Jr.
Jeannette Bayardelle
