Ga. theater to stage 'The Color Purple'

ATLANTA, March 5 (UPI) -- The Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, Ga., has announced it will open its 2004-2005 season with the world premiere of "The Color Purple."

The Broadway-bound musical adaptation of Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel will be produced by special arrangement with Creative Battery and Scott Sanders Productions.

"It's a profound honor and, frankly, a thrilling opportunity to launch the theatrical life of Alice Walker's brilliant novel 'The Color Purple,'" said Alliance Theatre Artistic Director Susan V. Booth in a statement. "The chance to give Alliance patrons and the city of Atlanta the first look at what will be a deeply significant contribution to American theater was an opportunity not to be missed."