I'M HERE to PUSH DA BUTTON and share some exciting news!!! Get ready to TAKE A DEEP BREATH filling the excitement in the air that a film version of the musical adaptation of the Award winning powerful and inspiring hit The Color Purple is officially in the works. The creative team for this new movie musical will include….
Direction by Blitz Bazawul (Beyoncé's BLACK IS KING)
and
Produced by Oprah Winfrey, Quincy Jones, Scott Sanders and Steven Speilberg.
No official work has been made on which major production company will produce the film, casting, or a release date.
In case anyone may not know or may not remember, THE COLOR PURPLE is based on the best selling Pulitzer Prize winning novel by Alice Walker. A few years after the original book's release, it was adapted into an acclaimed Oscar nominated film (directed by Steven Speilberg and starred Oprah and Whoopi Goldberg). Set in the American South from the early to mid-20th century, it tells the tale of "Celie" dealing with so much intensity that African American women faced during that time, including domestic violence, incest, pedophilia, poverty, racism, and sexism. Along with the help of two strong female companions, "Celie" goes on a soul searching journey as she finds her self-worth. The musical features an original score by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis, and Stephen Bray. Notable songs include HUCKLEBERRY PIE, SOMEONE'S GONNA LOVE YOU, HELL NO, DEAR GOD, WHAT ABOUT LOVE, THE COLOR PURPLE, and the musical's signature spiritual anthem I'M HERE.
The show was developed through early development reading and workshop labs before having its official world premiere in the Summer of 2004 in Atlanta, Georgia at the Alliance Theatre. It was well received by critics and Theatergoers.
Following the success of the Atlanta run, the show made its way to our New York City backyard in 2005. It played the Broadway Theatre for 30 previews and 910 regular performances. Under the direction of Gary Griffin and co-produced by Scott Sanders, Quincy Jones and Oprah Winfrey, the cast was led by….
LaChanze (later Jeannette Bayardelle, Kenita R. Miller, Fantasia, and ZONYA Love) as "Celie"
Brandon Victor Dixon (later Chaz Lamar Shepherd and Bebe Winans) as "Harpo",
Felicia P. Fields (later NaTasha Yvette Williams, Lakisha jones, and Chaka Khan) as "Sofia",
Kingsley Leggs as "Mister",
Renée Elise Goldsberry (later Darlesia Cearcy and Montego Glover) as "Nettie",
and
Elisabeth Withers-Mendes (later Angela Robinson) as "Shug Avery".
The original Broadway production of THE COLOR PURPLE was nominated for 11 Tony Awards in 2006. It took home only 1 for BEST LEADING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL (for LaChanze). Its cast album also went on to be nominated at the GRAMMYs for BEST MUSICAL THEATER ALBUM but lost the category.
Following its success on the Great Bright Way, THE COLOR PURPLE went to wow audiences with several North American National Touring companies and overseas.
It's most notable production was its International debut in London back in 2013 at the Menier Chocolate Factory in 2013. With the unforgettable UK response, this production made its way back overseas to our Broadway backyard as one of the hottest acclaimed revival productions ever produced in 2015 (the 10th Anniversary of the musical's Broadway debut).
The 2015 Broadway revival played Broadway's Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre for 33 previews and 449 regular performances. Under the direction of John Doyle and produced by Scott Sanders, Roy Furman, and Oprah Winfrey, this legendary revival was led by…
Cynthia Erivo as "Celie",
Kyle Scatliffe as "Harpo",
Danielle Brooks (later Carrie Compere) as "Sofia",
Isaiah Johnson (later Nathaniel Stampley) as "Mister",
Joaquina Kalukango (later Jennie Harney) as "Nettie",
and
Jennifer Hudson (later Heather Headley and Jennifer Holiday) as "Shug Avery".
The recent 2015 revival was well received by critics and theatergoers everywhere. It was nominated for 4 Tony Awards in 2016 winning 2 for BEST REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL and BEST LEADING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL (for Cynthia Erivo). Its cast album also went on to win the 2017 Grammy Award for BEST MUSICAL THEATRE ALBUM.
THE COLOR PURPLE continues today to motivate people around the world with productions.
Who is excited for this new film?!!!
BLACK IS KING Director Blitz Bazawul to Helm THE COLOR PURPLE Movie Musical
Deadline is reporting that Blitz Bazawul, director of the Beyonce feature Black Is King on Disney+ has signed on to direct the movie musical of the The Color Purple.
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