FANTASIA CONFIRMED FOR D.C. 'PURPLE' RUN: 'Idol' winner will return to Celie role for five-week Kennedy Center engagement.

      *It's official, "American Idol" winner Fantasia Barrino will return to the role of Celie when the national tour of The Color Purple arrives at the Kennedy Center in June.      

       Barrino, who earned a Theatre World Award for making her critically acclaimed Broadway debut in the musical, will join the road cast for its five-week engagement in Washington, D.C., June 30-Aug. 2.       

       The cast of The Color Purple national tour currently features Kenita R. Miller (Celie), Tony nominee Felicia P. Fields (Sofia), Angela Robinson (Shug Avery), Rufus Bonds, Jr. (Mister), Stu James (Harpo), LaToya London (Nettie), Stephanie St. James (Squeak), as well as Lynette DuPree, Kimberly Ann Harris, Virginia Ann Woodruff, Adam Wade, Carol Dennis, Brian Harlan Brooks, Darius Crenshaw, Quentin Earl Darrington, Lesly Terrell Donald, Anika Ellis, Doug Eskew, André Garner, Stephanie Guiland-Brown, LaTrisa A. Harper, Phyre Hawkins, Dameka Hayes, LaTonya Holmes, Chauncey Jenkins, Grasan Kingsberry, Reva Rice, Horace V. Rogers, Kristopher Thompson-Bolden and Hollie E. Wright.       

       Tickets for the Kennedy Center engagement are currently on sale by phoning (800) 444-1324 or by visiting KennedyCenter. For further information visit www.colorpurple.com.