'The Color Purple' announces full cast.

LaChanze will star as Celie in The Color Purple, a new musical opening at the Broadway Theatre on the 1 Dec 2005, following previews from the 1 Nov. LaChanze originally played the role of Celie in the musical's world premiere at the Atlanta's Alliance Theatre in 2004.

The production will also feature Elisabeth Withers as Shug, Felicia P. Fields as Sofia, Ren�e Elise Goldsberry as Nettie, Kingsley Leggs as Mister, Brandon Victor Dixon as Harpo, Krisha Marcano as Squeak.

Directed by Gary Griffin, The Color Purple features a libretto by Pulitzer Prize-winner Marsha Norman, music and lyrics by Grammy Award-winning composer/lyricists Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray with choreography by Donald Byrd.

Based on Alice Walker's classic Pulitzer Prize-winning novel and the landmark film by Steven Spielberg, The Color Purple is a family saga that 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 book is a story of hope, a testament to the healing power of love and a celebration of life. The musical has a score featuring gospel, jazz, ragtime and the blues.

The musical's ensemble includes Jeannette Bayardelle, James Brown III, Eric L. Christian, Latrisa Coleman, Bobby Daye, Carol Dennis, Anika Ellis, Doug Eskew, Bahiyah Sayyed Gaines, Zipporah Gatling, Charles Gray, Stephanie Guiland-Brown, James Harkness, Francesca Harper, Kimberly Ann Harris, Chantylla Johnson, Grasan Kingsberry, Corinne McFarlane, Kenita R. Miller, JC Montgomery, Lou Myers, Angela Robinson, Nathaniel Stampley, Jamal Story, Leon Thomas III, Maia Nkenge Wilson and Virginia Woodruff.

The production features scenic design by John Lee Beatty, costume design by Paul Tazewell, lighting design by Brian MacDevitt and sound design by Jon Weston. The orchestrations are by Jonathan Tunick, Kevin Stites is the Music Supervisor and Linda Twine is the Musical Director.

The Color Purple is produced on Broadway by Scott Sanders, Roy Furman, Quincy Jones, Creative Battery, Freddy DeMann & Stephanie McClelland, Anna Fantaci & Cheryl Lachowicz, Independent Presenters Network, Lowy Family Group, Gary Winnick, Andrew Asnes & Adam Zotovich, Jan Kallish and Todd Johnson.

The Color Purple made its world premiere at Atlanta's Alliance Theatre in the fall of 2004 produced by Alliance Theatre by special arrangement with Creative Battery and Scott Sanders Productions.

Biogaphies:

LaChanze (Celie) Broadway: Once on This Island (Tony and Drama Desk nominations), Ragtime, Company, Uptown...It's Hot. Off-Broadway: Dessa Rose (Obie Award and Drama Desk Award nomination), The Vagina Monologues, Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin (Drama Desk nomination). Other theater credits: Baby, From the Mississippi Delta, Spunk and the Alliance production of The Color Purple as Celie.

Elisabeth Withers (Shug) Broadway debut. Ms Withers is a singer/songwriter that has worked with such talents as Celine Dion, Henry Krieger, George Clinton, Cher and Narada Michael Walden on many of her recordings, videos and concerts.

Renee Elise Goldsberry (Nettie) Broadway: The Lion King (Nala). Regional: Dreamgirls (Michelle), Paper Moon (Imogene), Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (Dussie-Mae).

Felicia P. Fields (Sofia) Broadway debut. Theater credits include: Criminal Genius (Milwaukee Rep); Carousel; Damn Yankees; Elmer Gantry; Hot Mikado; Big River; Showboat; Dreamgirls; The Wiz; The Goodbye Girl; The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas; Ma Rainey's Black Bottom; The Amen Corner; Christmas Carol; The Rose Tattoo..

Kingsley Leggs (Mister) has appeared on Broadway in Miss Saigon and performed the role of John in seven countries and six different companies. He also appeared in the West Coast Premiere of It Ain't Nothing but the Blues and the World Premiere of Ragtime. Kingsley toured Japan in Forbidden Hollywood and Europe as the lead vocalist for the Golden Gospel Singers.

Brandon Victor Dixon (Harpo) began his professional career theatre career at City Center Encores! with the role of Royal in House of Flowers (2003). He then went on to originate the role of Simba in the touring company of Disney's The Lion King.

Krishna Marcano (Squeak). Encores!: The Apple Tree, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and Purlie. She originated the role of Squeak in the world premiere of The Color Purple at the Alliance Theater in Atlanta. Other credits include: Broadway's Aida, Fosse (first national tour), The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and The Martha Graham Dance Company.