Jeannette I. Bayardelle to Replace LaChanze in Color Purple 11/6; White & Marshall Also Join Cast

Jeannette I. Bayardelle, who has understudied Tony Award-winner LaChanze for the past year in The Color Purple, will be the musical's new star starring November 6. LaChanze will play her final performance as the heroine Celie on November 5. Also joining the company on November 6 are Alton Fitzgerald White Ragtime, The Lion King, Miss Saigon as Mister and Tony nominee Larry Marshall The Full Monty, Play On!, Porgy and Bess as 'Ol Mister.

Bayardelle, who has also covered the role of Nettie, appeared off-Broadway in Another Chance and Best of Both Worlds and toured in the Deaf West production of Big River. She also toured in Rent alongside Constantine Maroulis and appeared in a European production of Sister Act. She released the gospel-flavored CD "Praise Report." A native of the Bronx, Bayardelle began singing in church with her sisters at age five and earned a B.S. in health science from Hunter College.

In a statement, LaChanze said: "As an actress who has performed in theater for over 17 years, my experience performing in The Color Purple has been a truly life-changing journey. While my first love will always be the theater, I'm looking forward to spending some time with my family and pursue opportunities in the TV, film and publishing worlds. The theater community will always remain a big part of my life and I hope to re-join the cast of The Color Purple at some point down the road." The star has announced plans to pen two children's books in 2008.