Color Oprah nostalgic：The most famous woman in television recalls her movie role as Sofia

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(Free-Press-Release.com) May 4, 2007 -- Certainly as Oprah Winfrey arrived on the red carpet outside the Cadillac Palace Theatre, her thoughts seemed to focus on the long journey she and this particular story have shared together over the past couple of decades.

"Tonight is really like coming home," Winfrey said. "When we were driving here, coming down La Salle Street, I remembered back to the movie. I had a moment meditating in the car. I closed my eyes and thought back to that time.

"I do a lot of red carpets, but I don't do red carpets in my hometown. And I realized that tonight I was going to be able to expose this play to a lot of people who have supported me from the beginning."
Today, Winfrey is the most powerful and famous woman in television, but when the film was released in 1985, she was just at the beginning of what would become the meteoric rise of her career.

"I remember when the movie came out and was playing in downtown Chicago and I also remember looking up at the marquee on the theater and saying, 'I wish my name was up there.'
"But I had this contractual thing with Steven [Spielberg], who told me that my name can't go on the poster or up on the marquee."

Winfrey chortled as she recalled begging her agent not to push for more than the $35,000 she was paid to play Sofia -- her film debut that snared her an Academy Award nomination for best supporting actress.
Now, all these years later, as the presenting producer for the musical based on Alice Walker's novel and following Spielberg's acclaimed film, Winfrey said, "It gives me such a great feeling of satisfaction -- knowing that now that the show is here -- in Chicago -- it will allow many, many people who were unable to come to New York to get to see this marvelous musical."

Beyond her own personal commitment to "The Color Purple," Winfrey also said she was at the premiere to support Chicago native Felicia Fields, who created the Winfrey role of Sofia in the original Broadway production -- and who is now able to recreate the role for her hometown fans.
"This is Felicia's night. I'm here for her -- and obviously for the rest of the cast. But this is something special for Felicia. She is able to play this stage in her own hometown -- and to play one of the greatest characters ever written -- especially for a black actress -- Sofia is that role."

ANOTHER BIG FAN: Just before the curtain rose on the opening night, Grammy-winning R&B star R. Kelly rushed into the Cadillac Palace. "My thoughts tonight are big!" gushed Kelly. "I've got an album coming out and I just finished it off yesterday. I figured this is the time to come out and enjoy myself. When I got invited, I thought there's no better way to do that."

No question about it, Kelly loves "The Color Purple." He said, "I saw it seven times in New York -- so tonight is the remix for me, in my hometown . . . Chicago, baby!"
Asked his favorite character in the show, Kelly didn't hesitate. "Shug Avery," said the music kingpin with a sly wink.

BIG THUMBS UP: The opening night also provided another poignant moment for the crowd clustered around the entrance. As Roger Ebert, joined by his wife, Chaz and their granddaughter arrived, the throngs of reporters, theatergoers and onlookers alike let out a large cheer. Personally invited to the opening by Winfrey, the Sun-Times' Pulitzer Prize-winning film critic's wife spoke for him, since he still is unable to personally verbalize his thoughts. Giving his famous "thumbs up" sign, Chaz said, "Roger wants everyone to know how happy he is to be here," and he nodded vigorously when asked if he was looking forward to comparing the stage musical to the film he reviewed so many years before.

DALEY NEWS: As for Mayor Daley and his wife, Maggie, the Chicago bow of "The Color Purple" was just another jewel added to the city's cultural crown. "This is not only great for theater and for the people involved in this show, but it again shows how excited people are about Chicago and the great artists that perform here," he said.
Like many arriving Thursday, the Daleys had not seen the musical in New York, but "We have watched the film many times and really love it, so I'm sure we'll love this show," the mayor said.

The city's first lady concurred. "I also think it's nice to have our Oprah bring it here to Chicago," she said. "It's great to have this play -- which has received so much recognition -- finally come to Chicago."
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Also among the opening night crowd was Oprah's chef, cookbook author and restaurateur Art Smith. Asked why he thinks "The Color Purple" has resonated with audiences for so long, he said, "Because it's about unconditional love and the resiliency of the human spirit. Regardless of what people may go through in life, they are able to come back and can still love.
"That's the message I think we can all take away from 'The Color Purple.' "

Source: http://www.msn.com

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