Color Purple Film Star Oprah Winfrey Gives Name & Money to Broadway Version

Media mogul Oprah Winfrey, who received an Oscar nomination for her supporting turn in the 1985 The Color Purple film, is investing in the Broadway musical of the same name. Winfrey will be the tuner's sole above-the-title producer, with the billing reading "Oprah Winfrey Presents The Color Purple."

"The Color Purple has long been a part of my life, from the first time I read it over 20 years ago until now, I've always wanted as many people as possible to experience this story," Winfrey said in a statement. "To present this Broadway production is a dream come true and a full circle moment for me."

Based on Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel and the film by Steven Spielberg, the musical version of The Color Purple tells the story of a woman, who, through love, finds the strength to triumph over adversity and discover her unique voice in the world. The show features a book by Marsha Norman and music and lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray. LaChanze, Elisabeth Withers, Felicia P. Fields, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Kingsley Leggs, Brandon Victor Dixon and Krisha Marcano star.

The Color Purple is scheduled to begin previews at the Broadway Theatre on November 1 in preparation for a December 1 opening. In addition to Winfrey, Scott Sanders, Roy Furman, Quincy Jones, Creative Battery, Anna Fantaciand Cheryl Lachowicz, Independent Presenters Network, Lowy Family Group, Stephanie McClelland, Gary Winnick, Jan Kallish, The Nederlander Organization, Andrew Asnes & Adam Zotovich and Todd Johnson are producing The Color Purple.