(UNIVERSITY PARK, Ill) — The Governors State University Center for Performing Arts is proud to announce the arrival of Broadway's hit musical THE COLOR PURPLE, The Musical about Love, for one night only on Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 8 p.m. Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker and the movie by Steven Spielberg, THE COLOR PURPLE is an inspiring family saga that tells the story of one woman's journey to overcome adversity set to soul-stirring music. Tickets range in price from $15 to $65, and student tickets are $28. Tickets are available by calling (708) 235-2222 or www.centertickets.net .
THE COLOR PURPLE 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 of the Associated Press hailed THE COLOR PURPLE as "a Roof-Raising story of triumph," while Richard Corliss of TIME Magazine said, "[it is] a soaring, epic tale. It made a joyful noise in my heart." In Chicago the show was praised as "stirring" and "inspiring" (Chicago Tribune) and "a host of musical-theater pleasures and moving moments" (Time Out Chicago). The Chicago Sun Times stated that this "extraordinary story might have found its ideal incarnation" and called it "one of the most uplifting and thrilling nights spent in the theatre."
This National Broadway touring production of THE COLOR PURPLE, produced by Phoenix Entertainment ~ Joyful Noisemakers LLC, helmed by Stephen Kane and Michael McFadden, is the next phase in the life of the ground-breaking Broadway hit musical produced by Scott Sanders. The original Broadway musical opened on December 1, 2005, and was nominated for 11 Tony Awards®, including Best Musical. THE COLOR PURPLE ran for over two years on Broadway followed by a three year First National Tour.
THE COLOR PURPLE 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).
The tour cast features Ashley Ward as Celie, Deidra Grace as Sofia, Taprena Augustine as Shug Avery, Dayna Marie Quincy as Nettie and Chicago native and Chicago Academy for the Arts alum, James Johnson as Adam/Ensemble. For full cast and bios please visit http://www.colorpurple.com/color_purple_cast_national.php
Stephen Kane and Michael McFadden have long been principal partners of Phoenix Entertainment and collectively share theatrical touring credits spanning nearly three decades on four continents. Their production repertoire includes: Grease starring Frankie Avalon, The Will Rogers Follies starring Larry Gatlin, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Gypsy, Man of La Mancha, The Pajama Game, Fame, Godspell, The Vagina Monologues, The King & I, Smokey Joe's Café, Singin' in the Rain, Buddy, Ring of Fire and Late Nite Catechism, among others.
Ticket Information
THE COLOR PURPLE comes to The GSU Center Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 8 p.m. Single tickets range in price from $15 - $65. Tickets are available by calling The GSU Center's friendly Box Office staff at (708) 235-2222 or online at www.centertickets.net . For group ticket (parties of 20 or more) discount information, call (800) 386-6321. The GSU Center is located at 1 University Parkway (Governors Highway and University Parkway), 45 minutes south of the Loop, off I-57 at Sauk Trail. Parking is always free.
About Governors State University's Center for Performing Arts
Governors State University's Center for Performing Arts is celebrating 17 years of enhancing the cultural landscape of the Chicago Southland. The Center is committed to its mission of presenting the finest in world-class performing arts entertainment to the citizens of the Chicago Southland at affordable prices.
The GSU Center's programming is the result of the vision of community leaders, educators and philanthropists who recognize the need for a blend of cultural and academic enrichment in the region. These leaders understand that culture and the arts serve to educate youth, inspire members of the community, and bring a diverse community together under one roof to share artistic experiences.
The GSU Center integrates world-class performing arts and entertainment with the university's academic strengths, touching the hearts and minds of audiences in new and unique ways. GSU faculty help influence programming that mixes education with entertainment, providing an experience unlike any other in the Chicago Southland.
The GSU Center offers an extensive Arts in Education program for area schools, which reached more than 35,000 children during the 2010-2011 season. These unique, live theater experiences engage children's minds and help them explore and question the world around them.
Also in the 2010-2011 season, The Ralph C. Medhurst Fund provided 1,775 tickets for underserved students from Chicago Southland area schools to attend Arts in Education performances at The Center.
For more information about programming, volunteer, donor and sponsorship opportunities, call The GSU Center at (708) 235-2222 or visit www.centertickets.net . For the latest news and offers, like The GSU Center on Facebook at facebook.com/centeratgsu and follow @thecenter_gsu on Twitter. The Center is located at located at 1 University Parkway, University Park, IL. Parking is free.
