“The Color Purple,” will open tonight at the Fox Theatre with “American Idol” winner Fantasia Barrino as Celie, the leading lady in the musical created from Alice Walker’s classic novel. (Atlanta native Stu James plays Harpo, too.)

In an AJC interview, “Setbacks help Fantasia walk in Celie’s Shoes,” Fantasia explained she never expected to get the job, and once she had it, health problems got in the way. She missed nearly 50 performances of the show’s Broadway run, and eventually had surgery to remove a tumor on her vocal cords.

She says in the interview that she’s healthier now, life is better and “my vocals are so good.”

Now, here’s a video of Fantasia performing “I’m Here” from “The Color Purple” at the Tony Awards in 2007.

So that was unhealthy Fantasia? Well, well…

Want to go? “The Color Purple” runs through Sept. 27. 8 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 1:30 and 7 p.m. Sundays. $29.50-$67.50. Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. N.E. 1-800-982-2787, www.foxtheatre.org. Before you buy, check out some “Color Purple” ticket discounts, too!