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Sorry! You missed The Color Purple at CNU Ferguson Center for the Arts

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Christopher Newport University, One University Pl, Newport News, VA 23606

The Color Purple

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Winner of 2 Tony Awards

Closed May 14, 2020

The Color Purple has been born again... The current version is a slim, fleet-footed beauty, simply attired and beguilingly modest. Don't be deceived, though, by its air of humility. There's a deep wealth of power within its restraint.

Ben Brantley, The New York Times

Why See The Color Purple?

Broadway ShowsMusicalsSocial CommentaryClassicBreakthrough

The Tony & Grammy Winner Takes To The Road!

The Tony & Grammy-winning 2015 revival The Color Purple arrives in your town for this acclaimed national tour. This iconic story follows Celie, a young woman living in early 1900s America. Both heart-warming and heart-wrenching, you'll find yourself moved by her tale as much as you are by the show's incredible music.

The 2015 Broadway production won two Tony Awards including the coveted Best Revival of a Musical, after being nominated for four awards. It went on to run for just over a year, closing in early 2017, and earned Broadway newcomer Cynthia Erivo her first-ever Tony Award for her leading role of Cecile. The musical also picked up the Grammy Award for Best Cast Album.

WHAT IS THE COLOR PURPLE ABOUT?

Set in the early 1900s, The Color Purple centers on the life of Celie, a young black girl living in rural Georgia. Her father Alphonso is abusive, and has fathered two children by his daughter, both of whom he has 'got rid of'. Celie is then married off to the unloving 'Mister', a local farmer, who treats her as nothing more than a household slave. In the midst of all this hardship comes Shug Avery, a local lounge singer with none too saintly a reputation, who befriends Celie and gives her the belief to battle against the odds, and change her life for the better.

Did you know?

The Color Purple is one the most critically acclaimed book-to-film-to-stage adaptations of recent times! The 1982 novel won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction as well as the National Book Award, the 1985 film was nominated for 11 Academy Awards, and the first Broadway production (which ran at the Broadway Theatre from 2005 to 2008) was nominated for 11 Tony Awards, of which it won 'Best Actress'.

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Additional Information

Dates

Performance date: 14 May 2020

Audience

May not be suitable for younger audiences members due to adult themes

Run time

Two hours and 25 minutes including one intermission

MASKS

You may be required to wear a mask during this performance. Please contact the venue directly for more information.

Cast and Creative

Cast

Mariah Lyttle as Celie
Sandi Lee as Shug Avery
Chedra Arielle as Sofia
Andrew Malone as Mister
Milika Cheree as Nettie
Brandon A. Wright as Harpo

Elizabeth Adabale, Jarrett Anthony Bennett, David Holbert, Parris Lewis, Jenay Naima, Mon'Quez Deon Pippins, Gabriella Rodriguez, Shelby A. Sykes, Ivan Thompson, Renee Titus, Cartreze Tucker, Jeremy Whatley, Gerard M. Williams

Creative

Music by Brenda Russell and Allee Willis
Lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray
Book by Marsha Norman

Awards

2016 Tony Award Wins

Best Revival of a Musical
Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical - Cynthia Erivo

2016 Tony Award Nominations

Best Revival of a Musical
Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical - Cynthia Erivo
Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical - Danielle Brooks
Best Direction of a Musical - John Doyle

2016 Drama Desk Award Wins

Outstanding Actress in a Musical - Cynthia Erivo
Outstanding Director of a Musical - John Doyle

2017 Grammy Award Wins

Best Musical Theater Album

What we thought

EMPOWERING beautiful Moving!

The music and lyrics are beautiful and we felt the shifts and changes of Celie's journey!

The book leaves the audience feeling empowered and hopeful for change. The music and lyrics are beautiful and we felt the shifts and changes of Celie's journey!

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Nicola Quinn

Nicola Quinn

What you thought

19 reviews, average rating: (3.5 Stars)

3.5 star rating

Anonymous: “Best Show I have ever seen!”

I did not have any expectations before I saw this show. I was in San Francisco... more

Eileen A.: “Best Touring Show This Season!!”

We have the Broadway Series subscription at The Smith Center and this is... more

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Please note: The term CNU Ferguson Center for the Arts and/or The Color Purple as well as all associated graphics, logos, and/or other trademarks, tradenames or copyrights are the property of the CNU Ferguson Center for the Arts and/or The Color Purple and are used herein for factual descriptive purposes only. We are in no way associated with or authorized by the CNU Ferguson Center for the Arts and/or The Color Purple and neither that entity nor any of its affiliates have licensed or endorsed us to sell tickets, goods and or services in conjunction with their events.