The “Orange Is The New Black” star Danielle Brooks, who plays Tasha “Taystee” Jefferson on the hit Netflix series, will join the the Broadway revival of The Color Purple. She will make her Broadway debut as Sofia, alongside Jennifer Hudson as Shug Avery and Cynthia Erivo as Celie.
She takes on the role originally played by Oprah Winfrey in the film version. Ms. Winfrey is also on board to produce this production, as she did with the original in 2005. Felicia P. Fields originated the Broadway musical Sofia.
Brooks is a Juilliard graduate and credits the original production of The Color Purple as the first Broadway show she ever saw and helped her realize she really wanted to pursue acting as a career, Variety reported.
The novel, which takes the form of letters written by Celie to God, also had an influence on her: “When I write in my journal now, I always start with ‘Dear God,’” she said with a laugh.
She will allegedly be filming the 4th season of “Orange Is The New Black” while on Broadway this fall. Previews of The Color Purple will begin November 9th with an opening night set for Dec. 3rd at the Jacobs Theatre
This new trimmed down version of The Color Purple has been all the rave since it appeared at London’s Menier Chocolate Factory. It travels over to the U.S. with the same star, Cynthia Erivo, and director John Doyle. The Color Purple is a Broadway musical based upon the novel The Color Purple by Alice Walker. It features music and lyrics written by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray, with a book by Marsha Norman.
This is casting done right and we are so happy for Danielle Brooks. What an amazing role to have as your Broadway debut. Congrats! #YouAreBroadwayBlack #WeAreBroadwayBlack
Tickets go on sale to the public July 2nd. Find out more information on the website for the revival www.colorpurple.com
Didn’t know Danielle could sing? Well check out her vocals on this cover of Iris by Goo Goo Dolls she did with her friend and actor Jeremy Pope (Choir Pope) . It’s beyond beautiful.
What an amazing role to have as your Broadway debut. Congrats, Danielle!
#YouAreBroadwayBlack #WeAreBroadwayBlack
