Book By: Marsha Norman
Music and Lyrics By: Brenda Russell, Allee Willis, and Stephen Bray
Produced by special arrangement with Theatrical Rights Worldwide, New York
Producer: Kevin F. Harrington
Artistic Director: Bruce Rebold
Director: Mark Weekes
Musical Director: Stephen Ferri
Casting Director: Jamibeth Margolies, CSA
Costume Design: Barbara Kirby
Lighting Design: Glen S. Davis
Scenic Design/Construction: Plaza Scenic
Sound Design: Richard Flake
Book By: Marsha Norman
Music and Lyrics By: Brenda Russell, Allee Willis, and Stephen Bray
Produced by special arrangement with Theatrical Rights Worldwide, New York
Performance Schedule
Elmont Memorial Library Theatre
BEHIND THE SCENES
Cast
Ken Boyd
Jahlil M. Burke
Camille Capers
Moriah Carey
Teisha Duncan
LeVane Harrington
Madison B. Harris
Brianna Justine
Ellisha Marie
NéLasheé
Najee Rawls
Aniya Simmons
Joshua Shepard
Troy Donell Staten Jr.
Elijah Stinson
Vanessa Triplett
Ken Boyd
Ken Boyd (Ol’ Mister/Pa/Ensemble) is extremely excited to be a part of The Color Purple cast at Plaza Theatrical Productions. Ken’s other theatrical credits include international and national touring companies of A Chorus Line and Ain’t Mis’behavin. Ken also worked as part of the creative team for Queen Ester Marrow and The Harlem Gospel Singers. In addition, Ken toured the United States and Canada as a Swing dancer with Michael Bublé. Ken would like to dedicate his performances to anyone who has a dream and dares to follow it!
Jahlil M. Burke
Jahlil M. Burke (Harpo) is thrilled to be a part of this beautiful story. He is a born and raised Long Islander and has been a part of its theater scene for quite some time now. He was most recently seen as the Pub Bore in the 2022 US Tour of The Choir of Man. Other past favorite credits include After Midnight (Norwegian Cruise Lines), In the Heights (Playhouse on Park), RENT (Cultural Arts Playhouse), and many others. Huge thank you to everyone at Plaza Theatrical for this opportunity! Special shout out to my friends and family for their endless love and support! And thank YOU, for always supporting live theatre!
Camille Capers
Camille Capers (Celie) is thrilled to be making her Plaza Theatrical debut with The Color Purple! Professional credits include The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Esmeralda u/s) at Toby’s Dinner Theatre, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Titania/Hippolyta) at Actors Theatre of Columbus, and the workshop of The Last Gatekeeper (Ensemble) in New York City. She has also competed in several national vocal competitions, including the NATS National Music Theatre Competition at New York City’s Roosevelt Hotel, placing in the top 25 out of 200 contestants.
Moriah Carey
Moriah Carey (Church Lady #1) is a rising musical theatre major at Kent State university. She is originally from Pennsylvania and graduated from Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter school in 2020. She grew up always singing in the church, which is where she found her love for singing. She has recently performed in BKLYN at Porthouse Theater last summer as Miss Paradice, and just finished out SpongeBob the Musical as Pearl. She is so excited to do this show for the second time and hopes you enjoy!
Teisha Duncan
Teisha Duncan (Shug Avery) is delighted to make her Plaza Theatrical Productions Inc. debut in The Color Purple. Recent/Favorite credits include UK/Ireland/Switzerland tour of Disney’s The Lion King, Caroline or Change (Gallery Players), In the Jungle of Cities (Smpl Mchn), Do Wager (Atlantic Pacific Theatre Company), Tartuffe (University Players), Secret Garden (Adventure Theatre), Bubbling Brown Sugar (Broward Stage Door Theatre) and Sarafina (JMTC). Teisha is an Artist-In-Residence at Skidmore College and proudly hails from Xaymaca.
LeVane Harrington
LeVane Harrington (Grady) is so excited to be a part of this dream show! He is an NYC-based actor, singer, dancer, and hip-hop artist originally from Cape Cod, MA. Recent: Cabaret (Argyle Theatre), The Glass Menagerie (Provincetown Theater), A (Funny) Imagination! (NY Theatre Fest.), The Scottsboro Boys (Progressive Theater), Something Rotten! (Cape Rep), Beauty and The Beast (Broadway Palm), Hair (Peregrine Theatre Ensemble), Macbeth (Cape Rep).
Madison B. Harris
Madison B. Harris (Squeak) is excited to make her New York debut. She holds a BFA from Howard University. She also studied at the British American Drama Academy (Oxford, England) and the Debbie Allen Dance Academy (Los Angeles, CA). Some of her recent credits include The Wiz and Dreamgirls (Virginia Repertory Theatre). Madison would like to thank her family and friends for their love and support.
Brianna Justine
Brianna Justine (Nettie) is thrilled to be making her Long Island debut with Plaza Theatrical. A recent move to the east coast has brought her some amazing opportunities including reprising her role of Armelia in Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Gallery Players). She is so excited to be working with such talented artists and can’t wait to share Nettie’s story with all of you.
Ellisha Marie
Ellisha Marie (Sofia) is thrilled to perform in her home town as a proud Alumni of Elmont Memorial High School where her love for the stage began! Ellisha Marie attended A.M.D.A ! Regional credits include Dotty Moffett in Caroline or Change, Motormouth Maybelle in Hairspray, Church Lady in The Color Purple, Oda Mae Brown in Ghost The Musical, Medda Larkin in Newsies and The Ghost of Christmas Present in A Christmas Carol at W.P.P.A.C. “Special thanks to my guardian angel Mom in heaven, Dad, K.JANE & my Elmont Spartan Family. God Bless!”
NéLasheé
NéLasheé (pronounced nay-lŭuh-shay, Church Lady #3) is a former member and Musical Director of the Harlem Gospel Choir. She has performed in many regional theater productions and has been considered for many Broadway and National Tour principal roles, such as Celie in The Color Purple (Broadway & Tours) and Joanne in RENT (National Tours). Her favorite roles to date are Effie in Dreamgirls & Sofia in The Color Purple. NéLasheé has captivated audiences all over the world, with show-stopping performances and she would like to thank Plaza Theatrical Productions for the opportunity to play again, in one of her favorite productions, The Color Purple.
Najee Rawls
Najee Rawls (Mister) is a 21-year-old performer who lives in Mansfield, Ohio. He is excited to be portraying the role of Mister! In his free time he enjoys playing piano and singing to his son. He has been in 43 musical theatre productions, with this being his 44th; he is extremely excited to be back in NYC doing what he loves to do. He wants to invite you to sit back, relax and enjoy the show!
Aniya Simmons
Aniya Simmons (Church Lady #2) is from Oriental, NC. She grew up singing in church, and has always loved performing. Aniya has been doing theatre since middle school and loves being on stage. She is an ambassador for Make-A-Wish, and graduated from the American Musical Dramatic Academy with an Associates degree. She is thankful to be able to share her talent and share this story.
Joshua Shepard
Joshua Shepard (Preacher / Guard) graduated from Wilkes University in 2019 with a BFA in Musical Theatre and Dance. He is a New York-based actor who has since then performed in Escaped to Margaritaville (Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre), A Musical Christmas Carol (Round Barn Theatre), Romeo and Juliet (Lexington’s Children Theatre), Resilience (AEA Stage Reading), and the 150th anniversary for Cedar Point Entertainment.
Troy Donell Staten Jr.
Troy Donell Staten Jr. (TJ) (Bobby) Is pleased to be making his debut on the Plaza Broadway Theatrical Stage. TJ Attends Webster University for BFA Musical Theatre ‘25 Footloose, Kinky Boots, Paint Your Wagon, The Wiz and The Muny’s Gala (The Muny ensemble) Muny Teens Alumni 1st Place Winner of STL The Fox Teen Talent Competition (2021 season) TJ is grateful for the return of live theatre and to be here at Plaza.
Elijah Stinson
Elijah Stinson (Adam/Swing) is excited to be making his New York debut on stage with Plaza Theatrical! He is thankful to God for being able to share his gift of music and the love/support of his friends and family. Elijah is currently a Climb Guide with City Climb at Hudson Yards in NYC! “It feels so good to be on ground doing what I was born to do! Never let anyone dim your light- SHINE BRIGHT!”
Vanessa Triplett
Vanessa Triplett (Olivia/Swing/ u/s Nettie, Squeak, Church Ladies) is a recent AMDA graduate and current singer/actress originally from Galesburg, Illinois. Her favorite past roles include Signe in Church Basement Ladies, and Miss Andrews/Bird Woman/Miss Cory in Mary Poppins. Most recently Vanessa was a featured singer in Young, Gifted & Black, presented at Don’t Tell Mamas in Manhattan. When she is not performing Vanessa enjoys playing her didgeridoo and exploring New York.
Reviews
“With great direction, a brilliant set, and a strong ensemble, Plaza Theatricals ensures that The Color Purple is most definitely ‘Beautiful’ and ‘Here.’ Don’t miss it!” – Broadway World Review
Read the full review here
“Joyous celebration of storytelling” – New York Times
Read the full review here
