Brenda Russell News

“We have been fortunate right away that there felt like a sisterly energy between the two of us,” says Tavia Rivée, who plays Nettie in Maine State Music Theatre’s new production of THE COLOR PURPLE. Rivée is talking about her co-star, Jaden Dominique, who plays the show’s protagonist, Celie. Dominique seconds these sentiments, saying she has felt that connection from the very beginning and being able to share housing with her colleague during the rehearsal period “has strengthened that bond.”

The Color Purple musical movie is currently currently being filmed in Georgia and this week, young star, Halle Bailey, wrapped her portion of filming, celebrating with a sweet gift from producer, Oprah Winfrey. Watch the video!

The Umbrella Stage Company returns this fall with a line-up featuring iconic characters and stories in a series of productions that enable the Company to celebrate the full range of its renovated space.  

The Springer Opera House presents the Tony award-winning Broadway musical, The Color Purple, June 16 through 26, featuring a joyous Grammy Award-winning musical score featuring jazz, ragtime, gospel, African music and blues. 

Alice Walker wrote in The Color Purple, 'I think it pisses God off if you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don't notice it.' In other words, you have to appreciate the beautiful, good things of life no matter how bad life may be. Readers, I'm telling you if you don't make it over to Elmont and see the Long Island premiere of The Color Purple, you will be pissed you missed this truly beautiful production.

City Springs Theatre Company presents THE COLOR PURPLE Directed by Kamilah Long is based on Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel and the Warner Bros./Amblin Entertainment motion picture. This musical about love plays May 6 - 22, 2022 in the Byers Theatre at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center. THE COLOR PURPLE was adapted for the stage by Pulitzer Prize and Tony® Award winner Marsha Norman, with music and lyrics by Grammy® Award winners Brenda Russell, Allee Willis, and Stephen Bray.

A working UK actress got a breakout role in DOWNTON ABBEY, audiences worldwide fell in love, and now Lesley Nicol is telling her story in A Musical Autobiography titled HOW THE HELL DID I GET HERE?

Three new faces have been added to the cast of the upcoming film adaptation of The Color Purple. Terrence J. Smith will take on the role of 'Adam', Tiffany Elle Burgess will play 'Olivia', and Aba Arthur will also join the cast.

Producers Stephen Byrd and Alia Jones-Harvey announced that Academy Award Nominated and Latin Grammy Winner Carlinhos Brown and Academy Award Nominated and Grammy Award Winner Siedah Garrett have joined the all-star creative team of the new musical stage adaptation of Black Orpheus as composer and lyricist, respectively.

The musical, featuring jazz, ragtime, gospel, blues and African rhythms, has a book by Marsha Norman with music by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray. The film, directed by Blitz Bazawule, will star Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Corey Hawkins, H.E.R., Colman Domingo, Halle Bailey, Ciara, and more.

Jon Batiste has joined the cast of the upcoming musical film adaption of The Color Purple. Batiste will make his feature film acting debut in the film as Grady, a piano man and the husband of Shug Avery, played here by Taraji P. Henson. Fantasia Barrino, Danielle Brooks, H.E.R., Corey Hawkins, Halle Bailey, Ciara, and more are set for the film.

The new Theatre Company season kicks off performances on September 9 and will feature seven mainstage productions including the musical The Color Purple, William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, and a new production of the audience-favorite The 39 Steps. 

City Springs Theatre Company, Atlanta's home for professional musical theatre, presents The Color Purple as part of its 2021-22 PNC Bank Season. Directed by Kamilah Long, this musical about love plays May 6 - 22, 2022 in the Byers Theatre at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center (1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs). The Color Purple is included in current subscriber season packages. Tickets are $40-$100, with discounts for seniors, students, groups, and active and retired military personnel. Visit www.CitySpringsTheatre.com or call 404-477-4365 for more information.

The curtain is about to rise on the Long Island premiere of the Tony award-winning stage musical, The Color Purple, opening May 21 for a four week run, courtesy of Nassau County's only professional theatre, Plaza Broadway Long Island at the Elmont Library Theatre.

Centre Stage presents The Color Purple, running May 12- 29, 2022. Featuring a book by Marsha Norman and music and lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Stephen, and Willis Bray

Elizabeth Marvel will play the role of Miss Millie, the unpleasant wife of the mayor, who hires Sofia to be her maid. The film is currently in production in Georgia. Marvel joins a star-studded cast including Taraji P. Henson, Fantasia Barrino, Danielle Brooks, Halle Bailey, Ciara, Corey Hawkins, Colman Domingo, H.E.R., and Aunjanue Ellis.

Ciara will appear in the film as the adult version of Nettie, sharing the role with Halle Bailey, who will portray the younger version of the character. Ciara is most known for her successful pop and R&B singing career, including hit songs like 'Level Up,' 1, 2, Step' and 'Get Up.'

In The Phoenix Theatre Company’s current production of Marsha Norman's THE COLOR PURPLE, director Daryl Brooks has crafted a masterpiece of transcendent theatre that embodies all the pain and spirit of a Gospel-sustained and resilient community and one of its children. Starring Andrea Fleming in a dazzling bravura performance as Celie. The must-see show runs through May 1st.

Joining the cast are Louis Gossett, Jr. as 'Ol' Mister', David Alan Grier as 'Reverend Avery', Tamela J. Mann as 'First Lady', Phylicia Pearl Mpasi as 'Young Celie', Deon Cole as 'Alfonso', and Stephen Hill as 'Buster'.

The Muny announced today that season tickets for its 2022 summer season will be available beginning at 9am Monday, March 21. Tickets can be purchased online at muny.org, by phone at (314) 361-1900, or in person at The Muny Box Office, open 9am-5pm, Monday through Friday. The Muny continues to be St. Louis’ destination for summer musicals, celebrating 104 seasons in Forest Park this summer.