CLARKSVILLE, TN – The inspiring musical adaptation of Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Color Purple will make a joyful noise at the Roxy Regional Theatre beginning Friday, Aug. 5, at 8 p.m.

With a Grammy Award-winning score featuring jazz, ragtime, gospel, African music and blues, The Color Purple is an unforgettable story of hope, a testament to the healing power of love, and a celebration of life.

Austin Peay State University professors Deonté Warren, assistant professor of Musical Theatre and Voice, and Eboné Amos, visiting assistant professor of Dance and African American Studies, are directing and choreographing the production.

An active performer in addition to his work as an educator, Deonté has appeared in numerous productions around the country, including Disney’s Aladdin on Broadway from 2017 to 2020 and in national tours of Sister Act and Dreamgirls. In 2019, Deonté showcased his vocal talents with the release of his debut album, Love, Essential (Live in New York).  As an educator and choreographer, Eboné aims to present work that fosters the cultural advancement and empowerment of the African American community. Earlier this season at the Roxy Regional Theatre, Eboné starred as Harriet Tubman in Freedom Train, in addition to performing in All Shook Up and Ain’t Misbehavin’.

Starring Olivia White as Celie, The Color Purple features Candace Haynes as Shug Avery, Jermaine Pearson as Mister, Laiya Parker as Sofia, Kenneth L. Waters, Jr. as Harpo, Sierra Davis as Nettie, and Ja’Naye Flanagan as Squeak, along with Derek Alexander, Eboné Amos, Kyle Javon Blocker, La’Nanda Chance, Jaylan Downes, J.P. Little, Sabrina Reed, David Ridley, April Sledge, Ulric Alfred Taylor and Alexandra West. Tyler Saunders provides music direction.

Written by Marsha Norman, with music and lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray, The Color Purple was produced on Broadway at The Broadway Theater by Oprah Winfrey, Scott Sanders, Roy Furman and Quincy Jones. The world premiere was produced by the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia.

Performances run Aug. 5-20 on Thursdays at 7 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., and Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. In keeping with the theatre’s pay-what-you-can opening night tradition, all tickets not pre-sold at the regular price will go on sale at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 5, for a $5 minimum donation.

Tickets are $35 (adults) and $15 (10 and under) and may be reserved online at www.roxyregionaltheatre.org, by phone at 931-645-7699, or at the theatre during regular box office hours (9 am to 2 pm, Monday through Friday, and one hour prior to curtain).