Kenita R. Miller to Spell Sick LaChanze for Final Purple Pre-Opening Critics Perf

The Color Purple star LaChanze is missing tonight's show, the last pre-opening critics performance, because of illness. Understudy Kenita R. Miller will play the leading role of Celie in her stead.

Miller is making her Broadway debut with The Color Purple, serving as the understudy for both Celie and Nettie. She was also LaChanze's understudy for the recent musical Dessa Rose off-Broadway. When LaChanze fell ill during that run, Miller took over, playing the title role for the last few weeks of that engagement. Her theatrical credits also include two other musicals LaChanze appeared in on Broadway, Ragtime and Once on This Island.

It is highly unusual for stars to miss press performances. First night critics, which include journalists from all the major papers and websites, began attending The Color Purple on Monday. Press representatives offered to put those scheduled for tonight in performances next week, but also gave them the option of reviewing the show with Miller. Faced with deadline, Broadway.com critic Rob Kendt will file a review of this evening's performance, with a review of LaChanze to follow at a future date.

The Color Purple will officially open at the Broadway Theatre on December 1. In addition to LaChanze, the musical stars Eisabeth Withers-Mendes as Shug, Felicia P. Fields as Sofia, Renée Elise Goldsberry as Nettie, Kingsley Leggs as Mister, Brandon Victor Dixon as Harpo and Krisha Marcano as Squeak.