The too beautiful for words Tony-winning revival of The Color Purple, led by Cynthia Erivo in a Tony-winning turn as Celie, is set to shutter on January 8, 2017. At time of closing, the show will have played 33 previews and 449 regular performances at Broadway's Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre. The John Doyle-helmed musical officially opened on December 10, 2015; a North American tour of the production will launch in the fall of 2017.
The Color Purple features a book by Marsha Norman, lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray and music by Russell and Willis. Based on the novel by Alice Walker, the tuner tells the story of Celie, a woman who, through love, finds the strength to triumph over adversity and discovers her voice in the world.
Doyle’s stripped-down production opened at the Menier Chocolate Factory in London on July 15, 2013, starring Erivo. The new staging cuts approximately 30 minutes of material from the original incarnation and its producers include Oprah Winfrey.
Along with Erivo as Celie, the cast includes 2016 Tony nominee Danielle Brooks as Sofia, Tony winner Jennifer Holliday as Shug Avery, Isaiah Johnson as Mister and Kyle Scatliffe as Harpo. Carrie Compere and Nathaniel Stampley will replace Brooks and Johnson, respectively, from November 15.
Broadway.com customers with tickets to canceled performances will be contacted with information on refunds or exchanges.