San Francisco Downtown, October 2007

Sweet Sound of Redemption
The Color Purple premiers at the Orpheum

It's a story of rural poverty, cruelty, and adversity and yet, it's also the ultimate tale of metamorphosis, hope and redemption. With its backdrop of waving fields of purple wildflowers, segregation and social strife, juke joints and gospel choirs, The Color Purple, the Pulitzer Prize - winning novel by Bay Area author Alice Walker, which was made into a moving feature film by Stephen Spielberg, is the quintessential American story. Now the story is meeting renewed success in its third incarnation. The Color purple musical opened December of 2006 on Broadway where it continues its record breaking run. San Francisco, opening October 9th, is the second stop of the National Tour, and the show is presented as part of the 2007-2008 Best of Broadway season, under the direction of Carole Shorenstein Hays. It has already been nominated for eleven Tony Awards, including best musical, and the GRAMMY-nominated score features power-house performances of gospel, jazz, pop and the blues.

The project boasts some very high profile performers including Felicia P. Fields who originated the role of Sofia, for which she received a Tony Award nomination and Michelle Williams, former member of best-selling female R&B group Destiny’s Child, in the role of Shug Avery. Celie’s sister Nettie will be played by local Bay Area songstress LaToya London of American Idol fame. And lending her universally known name to the project as producer, is talk show mogul and philanthropist, Oprah Winfrey, who starred as Sofia in the Spielberg film.

The stars of the production have impressive musical chops, and Jeannette Bayardelle who portrays the lead character Celie, is no exception. The gospel recording artist joined the tour from the original Broadway show, about a year after the release of her debut CD, Praise Report. She's also no stranger to high-profile musicals; national and international tours of classics such as Big River, Rent, and Sister Act round out her melodious resume. It was during the run of Big River, that Bayardelle first became acquainted with San Francisco.

"We were here for about five weeks for that production. I definitely feel this is a special place and I'm glad to be back," Bayardelle beams, "especially for such an amazing project."

The singer believes that her background in Gospel was one of the main factors in preparing her for the role.

"I grew up in the church, singing Gospel. I want to glorify God in everything I do." She says she identifies with the role of Celie because, "her [Celie's] faith in God and pressing through disappointment is something I relate to.  A lot of people play the part and say it's extremely draining to play such a heavy character...but I feel as though every night I play a victor. It's empowering!"

Bayardelle has found that the feedback from audiences echoes her own sentiments. "The main message of this work is one of hope and faith," she emphasizes, "People see that reflected in the story...that it doesn't matter what they have been through, they can come through it all. Just as Celie goes through a series of tribulations and comes out stronger."

Spoiler Alert: Those who are familiar with Spielberg's film version might be in for a few surprises. "The musical is truer to the book," Bayardelle reveals, "The redemption of Mister [the lead male character] is shown. You are able to see the turn-around in him. There is a reconciliation between Celie and him. The musical shows that aspect of the relationship."

This soul-stirring show plays the Orpheum Theatre (1192 Market Street at 8th) beginning Tuesday, October 9 through Sunday, December 9.  Visit www.shnsf.com for tickets and information.

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