(September 1, 2009) Last week marked four years since Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast of the United States and there are still over 14,000 families seeking housing in the greater New Orleans area. Therefore, THE COLOR PURPLE is launching a fundraising campaign to build as many houses as possible by the time the show arrives for its run at the newly refurbished Mahaila Jackson Theatre from December 1 – 6, 2009.

Starting with this week’s engagement in Chicago at the Arie Crown Theater September 2-6, the remaining 2009 presenting cities of the National Tour* will join the effort by allowing THE COLOR PURPLE to ask for audience donations at each stop along the route. THE COLOR PURPLE is partnering with a local New Orleans organization, the St Bernard Project (stbernardproject.org), a grassroots, volunteer-based nonprofit that rebuilds homes in less than 12 weeks for approximately $15,000 each.

To kick off the fundraising campaign, the show’s Producers, Creative Team and Alice Walker announced today that they have collectively pledged to pay for the rebuilding of the first 3 houses for this initiative. THE COLOR PURPLE’s goal is to build many more homes with funds raised in the cities of its fall National Tour.

The ST BERNARD PROJECT is a community-based nonprofit organization headquartered in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, whose mission is to remove barriers for families who wish to return to their homes. To date, utilizing volunteer labor and donations for building supplies, ST BERNARD PROJECT has rebuilt 200+ family homes and is currently working on 35 more. Homes are completely rebuilt in about 12 weeks and cost an average of $15,000 per house.

Nominated for eleven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, THE COLOR PURPLE opened on December 1, 2005 at the Broadway Theatre. The National Tour began in May 2007 in Chicago and continues to tour through 2010. It is based on the classic Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker and the moving film by Steven Spielberg. It is the unforgettable and inspiring story of a woman named Celie, who finds the strength to triumph over adversity, and discover her unique voice in the world. With a joyous GRAMMY-nominated score featuring gospel, jazz, pop and the blues, THE COLOR PURPLE is about hope and the healing power of love.