Jennifer Hudson Set to Play Final Performance as The Color Purple's Shug Avery
(© Matthew Murphy)
As was recently announced, Tony and Grammy winner Heather Headley is set to replace Jennifer Hudson in John Doyle's Broadway revival of The Color Purple. Today marks Hudson's final performance as Shug Avery, her Broadway-debut role, at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre. Headley will join the cast for the first time on May 10.
John Doyle's new production of The Color Purle, which opened on December 10, also stars Cynthia Erivo and Danielle Brooks as Celie and Sofia, respectively. Adapted from the novel of the same name by Alice Walker, The Color Purple features a book by Marsha Norman with music and lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis, and Stephen Bray.
"These last six months have been nothing short of a dream come true. I have found an extended family in the cast of The Color Purple that will go far beyond my commitment onstage," said Hudson in a statement.
The company also includes Isaiah Johnson as Mister, Joaquina Kalukango as Nettie, and Kyle Scatliffe as Harpo. The production's ensemble is made up of Phoenix Best, Dwayne Clark, Lawrence Clayton, Carrie Compere, Patrice Covington, Adrianna Hicks, Bre Jackson, Grasan Kingsberry, Kevyn Morrow, Ken Robinson, Antoine L. Smith, Carla R. Stewart, Akron Watson, and Rema Webb.
The Color Purple is currently nominated for six 2016 Drama Desk Awards and four Tony Awards.
