The Color Purple

stage-art-the-color-purple-jayme-lee-hanekom-photo-by-belinda-strodder-photographyFrom Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning bestselling novel and Steven Spielberg’s Oscar-nominated film, StageArt presents the Australasian premiere of the Tony Award-winning stage musical, The Color Purple at Chapel off Chapel.

With a book by Marsha Norman and music and lyrics by Stephen Bray, Brenda Russell, and Allee Willis, The Color Purple is based on the 1982 novel by Alice Walker that spans four decades and three continents.

The show chronicles the feminist evolution of Celie – a battered and downtrodden African-American woman who endures rape, incest, domestic violence and racial abuse her entire life. This awe inspiring saga tells her unforgettable story of overcoming adversity in a heartening tale that is a testament to the healing power of love and faith.

Directed by Robbie Carmellotti (Hair, Saturday Night Fever), he leads a committed team of key creatives including: Musical Director: Caleb Garfinkel, Choreographer: Jayden Hicks, Sound Design: Marcello Lo Ricco and LSS Productions, Lighting Design: Jason Bovaird, Maddy Seach and Moving Light Productions, Costume Design: Rhiannon Irving, Hair and Make Up Designer: Rachel Mclean, and Set/Show Design: Robbie Carmellotti

The Color Purple features an all-Australian cast with Jayme-Lee Hanekom (Disney’s The Lion King, In The Heights) headlining the role of Celie. She will be joined by Thando Sikwila (The Voice, Dreamgirls) as Shug Avery; Anna Francesca Armenia (In The Heights, Dreamgirls) as Nettie; Kendrew A. Heriveaux (Requiem and Messiah New York) as Mister, Iopu Auva’a (Hair, Dreamgirls) as Harpo and Vanessa Menjivar (Dreamgirls) as Sofia – the role that propelled Oprah Winfrey to stardom.

Joining them on stage will be Zenya Carmellotti, Noelani Petero, Anisha Senaratne, Sasha Hennequin, Joti Gore, Augestine Tchantcho, Guillaume Gentil, Gideon Wilonja, and Tsungirai Wachenuka. Rounding out the cast will be off-stage vocalists, Gina Mets, Benjamin Samuel, Aaron Taylor and Casey Withoos.

With a joyous score featuring jazz, ragtime, gospel, African music and blues, The Color Purple was nominated for eleven Tony Awards, including: Best Musical, Best Book, and Best Original Score. The current Broadway production won the 2016 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical, and Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical for Cynthia Erivo.

“The Color Purple changed my life! I have always wanted as many people as possible to experience this story.” – Oprah Winfrey

The Color Purple
Chapel off Chapel, 12 Little Chapel Street, Prahran
Season continues to 6 November 2016
Bookings: www.chapeloffchapel.com.au

For more information, visit: www.stageart.com.au for details.

Image: Jayme-Lee Hanekom stars as Celie in The Color Purple – photo by Belinda Strodder Photography