PRIMETIME TELEVISION EVENT "OPRAH GOES TO BROADWAY: THE COLOR PURPLE" TO AIR SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19 ON OWN: OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK

Star-Studded Special Features Oprah Winfrey and the Musical's Leading Ladies Jennifer Hudson, Danielle Brooks and Cynthia Erivo

Special Also Features Reflections From Alice Walker, Danny Glover,Lupita Nyong'o, Cicely Tyson and Phylicia Rashadon the 30th Anniversary of the Film's Release

Los Angeles - OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network announced today the primetime television event "Oprah Goes To Broadway: The Color Purple" featuring an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the highly anticipated, newly imagined Broadway revival of the hit musical "The Color Purple" airing Saturday, December 19 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on OWN.

Click here for a sneak peek of the special (with embed code): www.oprah.com/thecolorpurple

The star-studded special will chronicle the Broadway debuts of Oscar and Grammy Award-winning actress Jennifer Hudson (Shug Avery), "Orange is the New Black" star Danielle Brooks (Sofia), playing the role made famous by Winfrey in the film, and British breakout star of the London premiere production Cynthia Erivo (Celie) as they each make their mark in one of the most eagerly awaited musicals of the season. Winfrey speaks with each of them about the impact "The Color Purple" has had on their lives, the journey each has taken to opening night and how they are each handling the pressures of preparing for their first Broadway show. The special also features interviews with Tony Award-winning producer Scott Sanders and Tony Award-winning director John Doyle.

Winfrey, who received an Oscar nomination for her debut in the 1985 film adaptation of "The Color Purple," gives viewers a backstage pass into the re-launch of this Broadway musical and the hard work and hours of rehearsal the cast and crew put in to bring this new show to life. With unprecedented access, cameras capture intimate moments including when Winfrey surprises the cast at a rehearsal and when Winfrey brings a group of graduates from the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa, currently studying at prestigious universities and colleges around the U.S., to an early performance. The special features reflections from Danny Glover, who starred in the 1985 film and a rare conversation with Alice Walker, who authored the internationally acclaimed, Pulitzer Prize winning novel "The Color Purple." Additionally, it includes exclusive interviews with award-winning actresses Lupita Nyong'o, Cicely Tyson and Phylicia Rashad who each share the impact "The Color Purple" has had on their lives as well as its influence on society today. The holiday special will air almost 30 years to the day of the film's theatrical release and chronicles the legacy and cultural significance of this groundbreaking story.

"Oprah Goes To Broadway: The Color Purple" was produced for OWN by RadicalMedia, executive produced by Jon Sinclair and Justin Wilkes and produced by Christine Earl, Michael Bonfiglio and Annetta Marion.

About "The Color Purple"

John Doyle's critically acclaimed new production opened in summer 2013 in London at the Menier Chocolate Factory and was an instant sensation. The production transferred to Broadway this fall and will officially open at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theater on December 10. Based on Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize winning novel and the Warner Bros. / Amblin Entertainment motion picture, "The Color Purple" is adapted for the stage by Pulitzer Prize and Tony award winner Marsha Norman, with music and lyrics by Grammy award winners Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray. "The Color Purple" is an unforgettable story of enduring love and triumph over adversity. With a fresh, joyous score of jazz, ragtime, gospel and blues, this stirring family chronicle follows the inspirational Celie, as she journeys from childhood through joy and despair, anguish and hope to discover the power of love and life. "The Color Purple" is produced by Scott Sanders Productions, Roy Furman, Oprah Winfrey, David Babani, Tom Siracusa, Caiola Productions James Fantaci, Ted Leibowitz, Stephanie P. McClelland, James L. Nederlander, Darren Bagert, Candy Spelling, Adam Zotovich, Eric Falkenstein/Morris Berchard, Just for Laughs Theatricals/Tanya Link Productions, Adam S. Gordon, Jam Theatricals, Kelsey Grammer, Independent Presenters Network, Carol Fineman, Sandy Block.

About OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network is the first and only network named for, and inspired by, a single iconic leader. Oprah Winfrey's heart and creative instincts inform the brand - and the magnetism of the channel. Winfrey provides leadership in programming and attracts superstar talent to join her in primetime, building a global community of like-minded viewers and leading that community to connect on social media and beyond. OWN is a singular destination on cable. Depth with edge. Heart. Star power. Connection. And endless possibilities. OWN is a joint venture between Harpo, Inc. and Discovery Communications. The network debuted on January 1, 2011 and is available in 85 million homes. The venture also includes the award-winning digital platform Oprah.com. For more information, please visit www.oprah.com/own.