On December 1, 2005, the musical adaptation of Alice Walker's The Color Purple opened on Broadway. Then, a decade later, on December 10, 2015, the revival of The Color Purple opened on Broadway. Then on December 25, 2023, the film adaptation of The Color Purple musical opened in movie theatres—showing that December truly is the month to stand up and declare "I'm Here."
The musical is a classic for numerous reasons: the score by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis, and Stephen Bray; Walker's story of sisterhood brought to the stage for a new generation; and the many stars that are part of its family. LaChanze played Celie in the original production and earned a Tony Award for it; a decade later, Cynthia Erivo played Celie and also received a Tony Award.
The other alums of The Color Purple include Fantasia Barrino (who played Celie in the movie adaptation), Michelle Williams, Jennifer Hudson, Danielle Brooks, Taraji P. Henson, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Joaquina Kalukango, and many more.
Below, look back on the numerous stage productions of The Color Purple.
Felicia P. Fields and LaChanze in The Color Purple
LaChanze in The Color Purple
LaChanze and Elisabeth Withers-Mendes in The Color Purple
Brandon Victor Dixon and Felicia P. Fields in The Color Purple
Kimberly Ann Harris, Virginia Ann Woodruff, and Maia Nkenge Wilson in The Color Purple
LaChanze and Kingsley Leggs in The Color Purple
Zipporah G. Gatling, LaChanze, Leon G. Thomas Ill, and Renée Elise Goldsberry in The Color Purple
Fantasia Barrino in The Color Purple
Elisabeth Withers-Mendes, Fantasia Barrino, and company of The Color Purple
Jennifer Hudson in The Color Purple
Danielle Brooks, Patrice Covington, Cynthia Erivo, Bre Jackson, Carrie Compere, and Rema Webb in The Color Purple
Daniella Brooks in The Color Purple
Jennifer Hudson and Cynthia Erivo in The Color Purple
Antoine L. Smith, Patrice Covington, Jennifer Hudson, Cynthia Erivo, Isaiah Johnson, Kyle Scatliffe, and Danielle Brooks in The Color Purple
Jennifer Hudson and company of The Color Purple
Danielle Brooks and Kyle Scatliffe in The Color Purple
Cynthia Erivo in The Color Purple
Joaquina Kalukango and company of The Color Purple
Isaiah Johnson in The Color Purple
Cynthia Erivo and Jennifer Hudson in The Color Purple
Danielle Brooks and Kyle Scatliffe in The Color Purple
Cynthia Erivo, Jennifer Hudson, and Isaiah Johnson in The Color Purple
Cynthia Erivo, Joaquina Kalukango, and company of The Color Purple
