FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACTS

Juanita Rosenior @TGRG (UK)
juanita@tgrg.co.uk
+44 0203 375 6024

Mercy Chikowore (US)
mercy@mercyc.com
+001 803.347.6905

WEDNESDAY 3 NOVEMBER 2021, LONDON UNITED KINGDOM — OurSomewhere Digital Productions announce that American actress Felicia P. Fields will be leading an international cast for the forthcoming audio musical production of The Color Purple Audio Experience: A Benefit for Black Womxn. 

Fields, who is known for her role in classic movies such as Save The Last Dance, will be one of three actors portraying the lead character of CELIE, in this new adaptation of the musical, and is no stranger to The Color Purple musical. She was originator of the role of the feisty and independent Sofia in the multi-award-winning Broadway production and was nominated for a Tony Award in the ‘Supporting or Features actress’ category in 2006.

The Color Purple tells the harrowing – but ultimately triumphant – story of a young girl named Celie who gradually gains self-respect as she strives to educate herself and find love, despite an abusive spouse and a world that punishes her for being born black and female.

Recruiting acting talent from across the US, UK and Africa The Color Purple Audio Experience (TCPAX) re-imagines this beloved musical exclusively in audio form, allowing audiences to visualise this age-old story in their own way. Audiences will be treated to familiar songs from the Broadway score including “Push Da Button,” “What About Love,” “Hell No!” and “I’m Here.”

OurSomewhere uses the story’s core themes to encourage modern-day conversations around race and gender-based violence, whilst simultaneously raising money for Black womxn’s charities in the process. 

On joining the production, Fields said “I have a passion for The Color Purple. It’s message of empowerment is greatly expressed in this story about the strength and resilience of women. I am so proud to have been a part of the original musical, where I discovered at the Stage Door every night just how many women yearn to receive the strength, determination and encouragement that this piece has to offer.” 

“I will always say, “yes” when this story comes into my life. It ministers not just to African American womxn but ALL womxn! Malinda and Joey have taken the legacy of this great story to another level and I will forever be proud and honored to inspire the youngest to the oldest with this amazing tale of survival,“ she continued.

Fields will be joined by Hamilton actor Simon-Anthony Rhoden who is currently starring as Aaron Burr in London’s West End.

Of his role, Simon-Anthony said “The Color Purple musical is an important piece because it’s an honest portrayal of black people from a black lens. It’s an education in showing that black people aren’t just victims like other stories about black people written by white authors would have you believe, and that black people too can be strong, vulnerable, stupid, funny, sexy and wise.”

“The music gives you a real sense of where you are, who is speaking to you and how it all draws you to the important pivotal point of Celie taking control of her life for the first time,” he said. 

Of their contributions Executive Co-Producers Malinda Parris and Joey Stone of OurSomewhere Digital Productions said “We are absolutely thrilled to have Felicia and Simon join the cast of TCPAX!”

“Felicia’s talent and heart extend far beyond the long legacy of this musical and she has a loving, contagious energy that is so warmly felt through her voice. What she has done with the introduction of the new role, MISS CELIE, has gone beyond our aspirations! Her intrinsic understanding of the source material and real life wisdom permeate the voice of MISS CELIE, bringing depth and true heart to this now centralized narrator of the audio musical adaptation.

“Simon is a master of his craft, and hearing this young actor take on the emotionally complex and challenging role of MISTER blew us away from the very first reading.

“Together their immense wealth of experience as performers and with The Color Purple musical has undoubtedly elevated this adaptation. Beyond all of this, both Felicia and Simon are Artistic Activists who believe Theatre has the power to create tangible change in our society. They are passionate about the mission of this Benefit and want to raise as much money as possible for our charity partners supporting Black womxn and girls around the world.”

The Color Purple Audio Experience launches on Friday 26 November 2021 with tickets available at www.thecolorpurpleaudioX.com

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EDITOR’S NOTES

  • The Color Purple won the 1983 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, making Alice walker the first Black woman to win the Prize.
  • The 1985 Film adaptation directed by Stephen Spielberg and starring actors such as Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey and Danny Glover was nominated for 11 Academy Awards.
  • The original Broadway production earned 11 Tony Award nominations, while the acclaimed Broadway revival won two Tony Awards including Best Revival of a Musical.
  • A feature film of the musical adaptation is now in pre-production with a release date set for December 20th, 2023.