Renée Elise Goldsberry to Exit The Color Purple Soon After Opening

Renée Elise Goldsberry will leave The Color Purple shortly after the production opens on December 1. The actress, who is set to appear as Nettie, is departing the musical early because she is pregnant, according to a production spokesperson.

Goldsberry is best known for playing defense attorney Evangeline Williamson on One Life to Live. This summer she had a standout turn in the musical version of Two Gentlemen of Verona in Central Park. Goldsberry has one previous Broadway credit, Nala in The Lion King. Her other theatrical credits include a national tour of Dreamgirls and productions of Abyssinia and Paper Moon. She has a solo album entitled Everything But the Kitchen Sink, which she co-wrote and produced with accomplished bassist and music producer Andreas Geck.

Goldsberry's exact departure date could not be confirmed, but she is expected to exit sometime in December. She is the only cast member scheduled to leave.

In addition to Goldsberry, the cast of The Color Purple includes LaChanze, Felicia P. Fields, Elisabeth Withers-Mendes, Kingsley Leggs, Brandon Victor Dixon and Krisha Marcano. The tuner, directed by Gary Griffin, is scheduled to begin previews at the Broadway Theatre on November 1.