Full casting has been announced for Leicester Curve and Birmingham Hippodrome’s co-production of award-winning musical The Color Purple
Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker, the musical version of The Colour Purple features music and lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray and a book by Marsha Norman. The Musical is to play the Curve Leicester from 28 June to 13 July 2019 and Birmingham Hippodrome from 16 – 20 July 2019.
Leading the cast is Seyi Omooba in the role of heroine Celie. Her theatre credits include Hadestown (National Theatre); Crystal in Little Shop of Horrors (Regent’s Park); Martha in Spring Awakening (Hope Mill Theatre) and Tilly in Junkyard (Bristol Old Vic and UK Tour). She also played the role of Nettie in the Cadogan Hall production of The Color Purple.
Joining Seyi is Joanna Francis who plays jazz singer and preacher’s daughter, Shug Avery. Most recently Joanna played the role of Lois in Dusty (UK Tour). Joanna returns to Curve following alternating the role of Deloris Van Cartier in Sister Act in 2016. Her other credits include Elsa in The Harder They Come (Theatre Royal Stratford East and The Barbican Theatre/Birmingham Hippodrome) and alternate Dionne in Hair (The Vaults).
Following his recent roles of The Dryer and The Bus in the critically acclaimed Caroline or Change (Chichester, Hampstead and West End), Ako Mitchell joins The Color Purple as Celie’s abusive husband, Mister. His other theatre credits include Nicely-Nicely Johnson in Guys And Dolls (Manchester Royal Exchange), Eddie Mackrel in The Wild Party (The Other Place Theatre), Brooks in Grey Gardens (Southwark Playhouse), How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying (Royal Festival Hall), Mitch in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Donmar Warehouse), Eddie in Sister Act (London Palladium) and Mufasa in The Lion King (Lyceum Theatre).
They are joined by Simon-Anthony Rhoden (Lola in Kinky Boots – Adelphi Theatre), who plays Mister’s son, Harpo and Karen Mavundukure, who plays his wife, Sofia (Effie White in Dream Girls – Savoy Theatre).
Celie’s sister, Nettie, is played by recent graduate Danielle Fiamanya, and her father (Pa) is played by Delroy Brown (Marty Madison in Dream Girls – Savoy Theatre).
The cast is completed by Geoff Aymer, Owen Chaponda, Perola Congo, KM Drew Boateng, Danielle Kassaraté, Anelisa Lamola, Rosemary Annabella Nkrumah, Jochebel Ohene MacCarthy, Landi Oshinowo and Jo Servi.
The show will be directed by Tinuke Craig, winner of the 2014 Genesis Future Directors Award. Tinuke’s recent credits include random/generations, a double bill of plays by Debbie Tucker Green at Chichester Festival Theatre and I Call my Brothers by Jonas Hassen Khemiri at the Gate Theatre.
The Color Purple is an unforgettable story told over the course of 40 years, which follows courageous heroine Celie, as she journeys through joy, despair, anguish and hope in her own personal awakening to discover her unique voice in the world.
With a profoundly evocative score drawing inspiration from jazz, ragtime, gospel and blues, this moving family chronicle set in racially divided southern America, celebrates life, love and the strength to stand up for who you are and what you believe in.
The Color Purple has set and costume designs by Alex Lowde, musical supervision by Alex Parker, orchestrations by Martin Higgins, choreography by Mark Smith, lighting design by Joshua Pharo, sound design by Tom Marshall, hair and make-up design by Cynthia De La Rose, and casting by Kay Magson CDG.
