Information for The Color Purple at Bridewell Theatre, Inner London (Musical). The 1930s-set family chronicle centres on black teenager Celie, as she journeys from childhood through joy and despair, anguish and hope to discover the power of love and life in racially divided southern America. The musical premiered in 2004, receiving its Broadway premiere in 2005 and going on to by nominated for ten Tony Awards. It ran until 2008 and has since been revived for several national US tours