The Color Purple: Chaka Khan, BeBe Winans and 'American Idol' finalist LaKisha Jones to join cast

Eight-time Grammy Award winner Chaka Khan and four-time Grammy Award winner and gospel singer BeBe Winans, will make their Broadway debuts in the musical The Color Purple on 9 Jan 2008. Chaka Khan will play Sofia, the strong-willed character portrayed by Oprah Winfrey in the film version, opposite BeBe Winans� Harpo, Sofia�s husband.

On the 19 Dec 2007, 2007 'American Idol' finalist LaKisha Jones will also make her Broadway debut in the show, playing the Church Soloist, who opens the show with the gospel number 'Mysterious Ways.' Once Chaka Khan arrives,Jones will play the role of Sofia at matinees.

2004 American Idol Fantasia Barrino is currently making her Broadway debut as Celie, a role she is scheduled to play through to 6 Jan 2008.

The Color Purple also currently features Alton Fitzgerald White (Mister), Larry Marshall (Ol' Mister), Natasha Yvette Williams (Sofia), Elisabeth Withers-Mendes (Shug), Darlesia Cearcy (Nettie), Chaz Lamar Shepherd (Harpo) and Krisha Marcano (Squeak).

The musical opened at the Broadway Theatre on 1 Dec 2005, following previews from 1 Nov 2006 and is currently booking to 2 Sep 2007.

Based on Alice Walker's classic Pulitzer Prize-winning novel and the landmark film by Steven Spielberg, The Color Purple is the story of a woman, who, through love, finds the strength to triumph over adversity and discover her unique voice in the world.

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.

The production features scenic design by John Lee Beatty, costume design by Paul Tazewell, lighting design by Tony Award winner 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 musical is produced on Broadway by Oprah Winfrey, Scott Sanders, Creative Battery, Roy Furman, Quincy Jones.