Nathaniel Stampley to replace Johnson in The Color Purple

Broadway alum Nathaniel Stampley will assume the role of Mister from Isaiah Johnson in the Tony-winning Broadway revival of The Color Purple from 15 November at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre. Mr Johnson will conclude his run on 13 November 2016.

Nathaniel Stampley previously appeared in the 2005 Broadway premiere of 'The Color Purple.' His other Broadway credits include 'The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess' and Disney's 'The Lion King' (as Mufasa). Off-Broadway credits include Signature Theatre's 'Big Love' and the Encores! production of 'Fiorello!' He has also starred in the National Tours of 'The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess' (as Porgy) and Disney's 'The Lion King,' as well as 'Ragtime.'

The principal cast for the revival currently includes Tony winner Cynthia Erivo (Celie), Tony winner Jennifer Holliday (Shug Avery), Tony nominee Danielle Brooks (Sofia), Kyle Scatliffe (Harpo), Isaiah Johnson (Mister), Jennie Harney (Nettie) and Patrice Covington (Squeak).

The Color Purple began previews on 10 November 2015, and officially opened on 10 December 2015, and is currently booking through to 8 January 2017.

At the 70th Anniversary of the Tony Awards, the production picked up the Tonys for "Best Revival of a Musical" and "Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical" (for Cynthia Erivo).

The Color Purple, which premiered at London's Menier Chocolate Factory in 2013, is directed by Tony winner John Doyle, and features music by Brenda Russell and Allee Willis, lyrics by Russell, Willias and Stephen Bray and a book by Marsha Norman.

Based on the novel by Alice Walker, the musical tells "the story of Celie, a woman who, through love, finds the strength to triumph over adversity and discovers her voice in the world."

The Color Purple features scenic design by John Doyle, costume design by Ann Hould-Ward, lighting design by Jane Cox, sound design by Gregory Clarke, hair & wig design by Charles G. LaPointe, music supervision by Catherine Jayes and music direction by Jason Michael Webb.

The Color Purple is produced on Broadway by Scott Sanders, Roy Furman, and Oprah Winfrey, with David Babani and Tom Siracusa for Chocolate Factory Productions.

John Doyle's 'stripped-down' production opened at London's Menier Chocolate Factory on 15 July 2013, cutting approximately 30 minutes of material from the original production, which played at the Broadway Theatre from 1 November 2005 until 24 February 2008. The Broadway production was directed by Gary Griffin and starred Brandon Victor Dixon, Renee Elise Goldsberry and LaChanze, who won a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Celie.

- by Tom Millward