Current and former Stillman students are apart of the cast of the Tony Award-winning musical, "The Color Purple," coming to the Bama Theatre, March 9-13. This classic tale about love, friendship and loss is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker and is produced by the Actor’s Charitable Theatre. The novel inspired the movie by Steven Spielberg, which inspired the musical.

Clifton Daniels, a senior majoring in music, is playing the role of Mister (Albert).
Vincent Hale, a senior majoring in music, is playing playing multiple roles: Buddy 4, Olinka Dancer, Juke Joint Dancer, Field Hand, and Church Member. Ashley Jackson will play two roles: Nettie and Juke Joint Dancer. Princess Stewart, a senior majoring in education, will play the roles of Church Soloist, Sister 6, Church Mama, Glodene, Juke Joint Dancer and Olinka Woman. Kenneth Stockard, a graduating senior, will play the roles of Church Member, Field Hand, Buddy, Juke Joint Dancer and Olinka Dancer.

Along with current Stillman students, Stillman alumni Derrick Crummie, Erica Daniel-Evans, and Eddie Hall will also be a part of the cast. Curmmie will play the roles of Grady, Darlene’s Husband, Field Hand, Buddy, Church Member, and Juke Joint Dancer. Daniel-Evans will play the role of Sofia and Hall will play the roles of Buster, Church Member, Field Hand, Buddy and Olinka Man.

The show has been deemed a "musical about love" by major critics. "The Color Purple" is an inspirational story set in the early 1900s that tells of a young woman named Celie. Celie becomes separated from her family at a young age and taken over by her cruel husband, known as Mister.

Celie befriends Shug Avery and Sofia, two strong and independent women. They inspire Celie to stand up for herself, and show that there is more to life than being mistreated by Mister.

Shug Avery is the daughter of a preacher in rural southern America. She has beliefs about women's rights that are ahead of her time, which inspires Celie to come to fully appreciate her womanhood.

"The Color Purple" musical first took to Broadway in 2005. Since then, it has been nominated for 11 Tony Awards. Its jazz, gospel and blues genre musical score has had Grammy nomination as well.

Tickets can be purchased from cast members or online at http://theactonline.com/Home.html. For more information, call the Actor’s Charitable Theatre at 205-393-2800.

-STILLMAN-