The Broadway musical The Color Purple is based on the Pulitzer Prize Alice Walker's novel of the same name. It addresses many serious issues that many African Americans have to deal with. It is a soul stirring story which touches the heart of people because it represents love, betrayal, friendship, hatred and survival. It is a story of hope, inspiration and triumph. In 1985, Steven Spielberg made a film of the same name. After the success of the novel and film, producer Scott Sanders decided to bring it to Broadway. He has received many criticisms of this decision that nobody thought he could represent the story on stage as she was on the screen. Besides, making a musical about a story with issues of sexual abuse, domestic violence and racial prejudice seemed an impossible task. Most critics have said that performance in the film by Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey and Dan Glover, would never be matched on stage. But he was by his beliefs and after eight years, he finally realized his dream.
The Color Purple opened to the public December 1, 2005 and received rave reviews and numerous Tony Award nominations in 2006 including Best Musical. The story was adapted for the stage by Marsha Norman is the director Gary Griffin with the lyrics and music composed by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray. It is choreographed by Donald Byrd. The cast includes Fantasia as Celie, Natasha Yvette White Sofia and Alton Fitzgerald White as Mister. He is co-produced by Oprah Winfrey who has played the role of Sofia in the film.
The story of The Color Purple revolves around the life of a young 14 year old daughter Celie is sexually abused by her stepfather and has two babies at once. These babies are given and was told they were taken away to be with God. She then married a widower who has several children and is physically abused by him. She has a sister who ran away and Nettie promises to write, but believes she died as she never receives letters from her. Thereafter, the story progresses, showing how Celie deals with his abusive husband, makes a new friend and discovers that her sister Nettie is still alive. Ultimately, everything is going well for Celie, who rediscovers love and hope, and finds his sister and children.
The story and characters are revealed live on stage with a mixture of dance and music including jazz, blues, swing and African music. This is an impressive production and a Broadway landmark that proved all the critics Scott Sander's wrong.
Tickets for The Color Purple can be purchased directly from the office of Broadway theater box. For tickets at the best price you need to buy a week in advance to avoid disappointment. Your other option is to order online for which you would pay a little extra for the tickets being delivered at home. For more great resources Color Purple tickets visit the website of Al, an entertainment site for the City of New York with news and commentary on each event, and the color purple ticket information.