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December 2007
Color Purple Afterparty

THE COLOR PURPLE update
Oprah’s Winfrey Star Jeannette Bayardelle Raises the Roof in LA

December 18, 2007


Oprah Winfrey’s Broadway play “The Color Purple” was the talk of studio moguls and chatter of Hollywood’s elite saying, who’s that girl : Jeannette Bayardelle, who plays Celie.

Actress Lorretta Divine could be heard shouting from her seat, “yes… yes” as Jeannette delivered her lines onstage at the Ahmanson theatre Sunday night.

This was an historical event since Los Angeles has not had a Broadway musical with an all African American cast in over twenty years.

It took Scott Sanders, the driving force behind the musical, eight years to bring "The Color Purple" to Broadway. The process began in 1997, when Sanders, then president of Mandalay Television, mentioned to his colleague Peter Guber that he was interested in turning the book into a musical. Guber called Alice Walker, who agreed to meet with the two men. And after a courtship that involved bringing Walker to New York to see Broadway shows, Sanders won Alice Walker’s consent. Finally Gayle King persuaded best friend, Oprah Winfrey to come on board and the marquee was changed to Oprah Winfrey presents “The Color Purple”.

Quincy Jones producer of the Color Purple was seen praising Jeannette Bayardelle and Destiny’s Child Michelle Williams at the After Party. Veteran actress Margaret Avery, who played the original Suge Avery in the motion picture, The Color Purple made a surprise appearance and applauded the cast. Also in the Audience were Henry Simmons, Vanessa L. Williams, Regina King, Michael Collier and Kimberly Elise.The gala after party was held a the posh ballroom of the Our Lady of Angels Cathedral. Jeannette Bayardelle wore a dress from Paris created by African designer Abraham Pelham.

The Ahamanson theatre has reported its recorded box office sells as theater ticket sell out in Los Angeles. For sure the city of Angels will be enjoying the riveting cast and musical production of this stellar show until March 9th.

The afterparty for the premiere of Color Purple was held at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles on 17 December 2007.



The photos were taken by Steven Williams.
http://www.stevesimage.com

 


Quincy Jones, Jeannette Bayardelle


Jeannette , Michelle, Felicia


Jeannette Bayardelle, Loretta Divine


Henry Simmons, Jeannette Bayardelle, Regina King


Garcelle B, Micheal Collier, Lorretta Divine


Kenny Latimore, Chante Moore

 

Felicis, Jeannette, Margaretavery, Michelle




 


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