The Color Purple original cast member Elisabeth Withers-Mende to take hiatus

The Color Purple 's original Broadway cast member, Elisabeth Withers-Mendes, who has played the role of 'Shug Avery' since the musical began performances at the Broadway Theatre in Nov 2005 and throughout its entire run, will begin a hiatus from the role on 31 Jan 2008.

Withers-Mendes will return to the role for the final two performances of The Color Purple on 24 Feb 2008. From the 1 Feb 2008 the role will be assumed by Angela Robinson, the roles understudy.

Angela Robinson's Broadway credits include 'Wonderful Town' (2003 revival), 'Bells Are Ringing' (2001 revival). she has been seen in 'Radiant Baby' at the Public Theater, and 'Call the Children Home' at Primary Stages, as well as in New York City Center Encores! Productions of 'Golden Boy,' 'Bye Bye Birdie,' and 'Pajama Game.'

The Broadway musical The Color Purple is to play its final performance on the Broadway Theatre on 24 Feb 2008. The musical had been booking through to 25 May 2008. When the show closes it will have played 30 previews and 910 regular performances. The musical opened at the Broadway Theatre on 1 Dec 2005, following previews from 1 Nov.

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.

The musical currently features Chaka Khan as Zonya Love (Celie), Alton Fitzgerald White (Mister), Larry Marshall (Ol' Mister), Chaka Khan (Sofia), Elisabeth Withers-Mendes (Shug), Darlesia Cearcy (Nettie), Chaz Lamar Shepherd (Harpo), BeBe Winans (Harpo), LaKisha Jones (Church Soloist/ Sofia at matinee performances).

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 Color Purple was nominated for eleven 2006 Tony Awards, but gained only one - Best Actress in a musical, which was won by the show's star LaChanze.

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.