After 940 performances and grossing over 103,000,000 The Color Purple is shutting down production on Broadway. The show will still continue to tour so that others can experience Alice Walker's American masterpiece. The current installment of the play The show currently stars Chaka Khan as Sofia, BeBe Winans as Harpo, LaKisha Jones as the Church Soloist at all evening performances and Sofia at all matinee performances, Montego Glover as Nettie, Elisabeth Withers-Mendes as Shug Avery, Alton Fitzgerald White as Mister, Krisha Marcano as Squeak and Zonya Love as Celie.
The word is that Fantasia's exit two weeks ago may have caused an early demise for the show even though some heavy hitters (Khan and Winans) still remain. Oprah Winfrey made this statement when the closing was announced "When the opportunity came to help bring the musical to the Broadway stage, it was a full circle moment for me," she added. "I'm so proud to have been a part of this production that not only made Broadway history, but resonated with a new generation and touched the lives of more than 1 million theatergoers." Although I never made it to "The Great White Way" to see the show I sure hope it comes to the Dallas area because from what I heard it is very entertaining.
