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On Sale Now!: The Color Purple Revival With Jennifer Hudson

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The wait is almost over to see three Broadway Black actresses star in  The Color Purple’s revival when tickets to the musical go on sale at the end of June.

Announced earlier this year the adaptation of Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, and the Academy-Award-winning film, will introduce audiences to upcoming actresses and feature actresses who are already entertainment industry power players.

When the show begins previews in November new life will be given to classic, which Oprah Winfrey has signed on to produce.

The Color Purple chronicles the life of Celie, a soft spoken Georgia woman who is married off at young age, writes letters to God, and the colorful characters she meets as she grows wiser and finds her voice.

The revival cuts approximately 30 minutes of material from the original production, but makes up for it by featuring some of the most sought after Black actresses.

Oscar, Golden Globe and Grammy winner Jennifer Hudson will make her Broadway debut when she takes the role as one of show’s most out-spoken characters Shug Avery.

According to the New York Post, the actress was looking for a Broadway role, and Winfrey personally extended the offer to her after she sang, “I’m here” from The Color Purple at the 2010 Kennedy Center Honors.

Rising British actress, Cynthia Erivo who starred in the Menier Chocolate Factory production in London in 2013, will reprise her role of Celie and make her Broadway debut.

Also tapped to breathe new life into the production is breakout star of the popular Netflix series Orange is the New Black Danielle Brooks.

The Julliard grad will take on the role of Sofia, the character played by Winfrey in the film adaptation.

2006 was the last time the musical was on Broadway and the production earned eleven 2006 Tony Awards nominations and grossed more than $100 million.

The Color Purple will be at the Bernard B. Jacobs theatre from Nov. 10 to Dec. 5 with tickets going on sale June 30 to the general public. However, you can order pre-sale if you are an audience rewards member. Sign up! It’s Free.

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  1. Pingback: Jennifer Hudson Talks Broadway Musical The Color Purple

  2. Pingback: Jennifer Hudson Sings 'Too Beautiful For Words' From The Color Purple

  3. Pingback: Full Cast of The Color Purple Starring Jennifer Hudson Announced

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Celebrity Takeover

Tituss Burgess Has New Music, A New Movie, & No Time For Mess + The Preacher’s Wife Musical Update

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Tituss Burgess' Saint Tituss EP cover
Tituss Burgess' Saint Tituss EP cover

On Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, Tituss Burgess gave us an update on his musical adaptation of the 1996 movie, The Preacher’s Wife – starring Denzel Washington and Whitney Houston. On the late-night talk show, a viewer called in to ask if there had been any updates regarding the show and Burgess shared that:

“ We are very close to signing with a hot-shot producer in New York, which means that the show is closer to appearing in London or here. But there’s also a recent development which could delay it for the better. You’ll find out about it later”

So not only do we know that the musical is still on its way to bless us, but there is an announcement about the show on the way! If you ask me, this is incredibly exciting. Tituss Burgess’ career has gone from stage to screen, and his abilities as an actor and singer are undeniable. Knowing that we are closer to seeing his skills as a musical theatre composer is mad exciting. Watch a clip from the interview above.

While we wait for The Preacher’s Wife Musical, listen to Burgess’ newly released EP Saint Tituss. Burgess sings his face off as he skillfully talks about issues that are personal and political — all while wrapping things up with a joyous celebration of resilience as positivity. He also has two songs that feature Daniel J. Watts including the single 45

St. Tituss is available on Spotify, apple music, and other streaming platforms.

He also has a new movie on the way. “Dolemite Is My Name” starring Eddie Murphy along with Burgess, Mike Epps, Chris Rock, & more will premiere at the Toronto Film Festival. A national release date has not been set as of yet but is sure to be on its way.

 

While discussing the new movie during the same interview, Cohen asked Burgess about his relationship with Murphy. The way Cohen presented the question insinuates there might have been a problem between the two because of a ‘problematic past with the gays’ on Murphy’s part. The response given by Burgess is swift and loaded with “you tried it, but you won’t get me”:

“He wasn’t problematic for Tituss. We had a wonderful time. We talked about Dreamgirls and he should have won the Oscasr, I believe. He was great. Any troubles he may have had with gay people I guess are gone because he loved me.”

It is the following facial expression and the interaction that comes afterward that makes live television great. You can see Burgess say something to someone off-camera which leads Cohen to ask what he’s saying. Burgess replies with a soon-to-be iconic response to everything: “Keep going, girl. Do your show.”

and this is why we live.

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Cast List

Amber Riley & MJ Rodriguez Will Star in Little Shop of Horrors

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Amber Riley and Mj Rodriguez

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Olivier Award winner for her portrayal of Effie White in London’s West End production of DreamgirlsAmber Riley (Dreamgirls UK) and Pose star Mj Rodriguez will star in a reimagined production of Little Shop of Horrors at Pasadena Playhouse in California.

Riley will take on the iconic voice of Audrey II while Rodriguez will star as Audrey alongside George Salazar (Be More Chill) as Seymour.

The show will run from Sept. 17-Oct. 20 with an official opening set for Sept. 25.

Little Shop of Horrors is considered a classic. It’s a horror-comedy rock musical with music by Alan Menken and lyrics and a book by Howard Ashman. The story follows a hapless florist shop worker who raises a plant that feeds on human blood and flesh. It debuted Off-Broadway in 1982 and the movie version of 1986 introduced the world to young talents of Gina and Pam Tisha Campell and Tichina Arnold.

Directed by Mike Donahue, the design team includes scenic design by Dane Laffrey; costume design by Danae McQueen; lighting design by Josh Epstein; sound design by Veronika Vorel; and choreography and puppet design by Sean Cawelti.

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