CLARKSVILLE, TN – The inspiring musical adaptation of Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The purple color will make a merry noise at the Roxy Regional Theater beginning Friday, August 5 at 8 p.m.
With a Grammy-winning score featuring jazz, ragtime, gospel, African music and blues, The purple color is an unforgettable story of hope, a testimony to the healing power of love and a celebration of life.
Deonté Warren, Assistant Professor of Musical Theater and Voice, and Eboné Amos, Visiting Assistant Professor of Dance and African American Studies, are directing and choreographing the production at Austin Peay State University.
An active performer in addition to his work as an educator, Deonté has appeared in numerous productions across the country, including Disney’s Aladdin on Broadway from 2017 to 2020 and in the national tours of sister act and dream girls. In 2019, Deonté showed off her vocal talents with the release of her debut album, Love, Essential (Living in New York). As an educator and choreographer, Eboné aims to present work that promotes cultural advancement and empowerment of the African American community. Earlier this season at the Roxy Regional Theatre, Eboné starred as Harriet Tubman in Liberty Trainin addition to playing All stirred and Don’t misbehave.
With Olivia White as Celie, The purple color features Candace Haynes as Shug Avery, Jermaine Pearson as Mister, Laiya Parker as Sofia, Kenneth L. Waters, Jr. as Harpo, Sierra Davis as Nettie, and Ja’Naye Flanagan as Squeak, along with Derek Alexander, Eboné Amos, Kyle Javon Blocker , La’Nanda Chance, Jaylan Downes, JP Little, Sabrina Reed, David Ridley, April Sledge, Ulric Alfred Taylor and Alexandra West. Tyler Saunders provides musical direction.
Written by Marsha Norman, with music and lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray, The purple color was produced on Broadway at the Broadway Theater by Oprah Winfrey, Scott Sanders, Roy Furman and Quincy Jones. The world premiere was produced by the Alliance Theater in Atlanta, Georgia.
Performances take place from August 5 to 20 on Thursdays at 7 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m. and Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. In keeping with the theater’s ticketed opening night tradition, all tickets not pre-sold at regular price will go on sale at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, August 5, for a minimum donation of $5.
Tickets are $35 (adults) and $15 (10 and under) and can be reserved online at www.roxyregionaltheatre.org, by phone at 931-645-7699 or at the theater during regular box office hours (9 a.m. at 2 p.m., Monday to Friday and one hour before the curtain goes up).