Oprah Winfrey, Scott Sanders and the producing team of the Broadway smash hit THE COLOR PURPLE, The Musical about Love, are proud to announce that Theatre Under The Stars in Houston, Texas will host the first North American Touring production of THE COLOR PURPLE for performances thru September 28, 2008 at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts at 800 Bagby & Walker, Houston Texas.  The story of THE COLOR PURPLE is one of redemption and triumph in the face of adversity.  At the urging of Houston's city officials and the Houston Police Department performances of THE COLOR PURPLE thru Sept. 21, 2008 were cancelled due to the devastation caused by Hurricane Ike.  TUTS values the safety and security of patrons and will abide by the city's request.
 

HOUSTON, TEXAS July 14, 2008 – Oprah Winfrey, Scott Sanders and the producing team of the Broadway smash hit THE COLOR PURPLE,The Musical about Love, are proud to announce that Theatre Under The Stars in Houston, TX  will host the first North American Touring production of THE COLOR PURPLE for 16 PERFORMANCES, September 16-28, 2008. Tickets go on sale July 27, 2008. 

Nominated for eleven Tony Awards^®, including Best Musical, THE COLOR PURPLE opened on December 1, 2006 at the Broadway Theatre where it continues its record breaking run. It is based on the classic Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker and the moving film by Steven Spielberg.  It 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, the Associated Press described THE COLOR PURPLE as “a Roof-Raising story of triumph.” And Richard Corliss of TIME Magazine said, “[it is] a soaring, epic tale. It made a joyful noise in my heart.” Elysa Gardner from USA Today raved, “Pure heart! It celebrates the inspiring relationships of faith and love, A Broadway hit!” 

As on Broadway, the first North American Tour of THE COLOR PURPLE is directed by Gary Griffin. THE COLOR PURPLE 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, andchoreography by Donald Byrd.  The original creative team of Tony Award^®-winner John Lee Beatty (sets), Paul Tazewell (costumes), Tony Award^®-winner Brian MacDevitt (lighting), Jon Weston (sound), Jonathan Tunick (orchestrations) and Kevin Stites (Music Supervisor) was reunited for the tour.

 
OPRAH WINFREY as Sofia in the movie THE COLOR PURPLE directed by Steven Spielberg.  Photo courtesy of www.Achievement.org

The first North American Tour is produced by Oprah Winfrey, Scott Sanders, Roy Furman, Quincy Jones, Creative Battery, Anna Fantaci & Cheryl Lachowicz, Independent Presenters Network, Lowy Family Group, Stephanie McClelland, Gary Winnick, Jan Kallish, Nederlander Presentations, Inc., Bob and Harvey Weinstein, Andrew Asnes & Adam Zotovich and Todd Johnson, and is produced in special association with AEG Live.

The original cast recording is available on EMI/Angel Records, and THE COLOR PURPLE: A Memory Book of the Broadway Musical (Avalon/Carroll & Graf) is available in bookstores now. Ariel Mutual Funds is a proud sponsor of THE COLOR PURPLE. 

TUTS takes wings with Continental Airlines, the Official Airline of Theatre Under The Stars. Support for the 2008-2009 “Wow! What a Season.” also comes from St. Luke's Episcopal Health System, the Official Healthcare partner of Theatre Under The Stars and Spectra Energy. Media sponsors are Houston Chronicle and ABC-13.

Founded in 1968, Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) is Houston's acclaimed non-profit musical theatre company and is currently under the direction of President and CEO John C. Breckenridge. Dedicated to producing new works and classic masterpieces, the 2008-2009 "Wow! What a Season!" celebrates TUTS’ 41st Season of bringing world-class musical theatre to Houston audiences. TUTS was the first theatrical organization in Houston to perform free to the public in 1968 at Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park, and is the only Houston arts organization that has performed there free to the public every year since the building opened. Since its founding by Frank M. Young, TUTS has produced more than 300 musicals including many local, national and world premieres such as Disney's Beauty and the Beast, as well as International tours including Debbie Reynolds in The Unsinkable Molly Brown, Juliet Prowse in Mame, Robert Goulet in Man of La Mancha, the Tony Award-winning revival of Carousel and the Deaf West Theatre production of Big River. As a way to continue the tradition of musical theatre, TUTS' Humphreys School of Musical Theatre provides instruction and stage experience for more than 1,700 students annually through both The Academy and The Studio, which allow students to flourish in a year-round schedule of classes.   Housed in the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, TUTS also annually presents the Tommy Tune Awards, honoring the best and brightest in Houston's high school musical theatre programs.