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Jennifer Hudson Talks The Color Purple & Her Broadway Journey

Broadway Black — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 18:43:31 +0000

CBS recently brought us up close and personal into the life of Grammy Award winner Jennifer Hudson as part of the “Sunday Morning” program with correspondent Anthony Mason. In this interview, JHud laughs, gushes, and innocently tells us about her journey to New York and performing on Broadway for the first time.

Annnnnd I am telling you! If you weren’t already hip to the talent that is Jennifer Hudson, the time is now, because while this isn’t her first time in NYC, she’s ready to take the city by storm. She reminisced on her first time in New York, which happened to be after she was cut from American Idol in 2004; and just how far she has come since that moment. Season 3 of American Idol is where most of us became familar with this queen, but she rose to stardom through her gutwrenching portrayal of Effie White in the 2006 blockbuster “Dreamgirls,” which starred Beyoncé and Jamie Foxx. This role went on to make her a household name and gave courage to moviegoers worldwide, convincing them that they could and should sing “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” at karaoke. She did more than give life to her audiences through Effie, she became recognized for her chops as an actress. Among other awards, she won an Oscar, a Golden Globe, a BET Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and a BAFTA for this performance.

Performances for The Color Purple started earlier this month. The official opening night was December 10 at Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre and tickets can be purchased here. Hudson plays Shug Avery in this minimalist and stripped-down revival of the story Oprah Winfrey helped to make so popular years ago. Adapted from the novel by Alice Walker, The Color Purple shares the story of Celie and her transformation into a strong woman with a voice to be heard. In addition to Hudson, The Color Purple stars Cynthia Erivo as Celie, & Danielle Brooks as Sofia. As previously reported, other principal cast members include Kyle Scatliffe as “Harpo”, Isaiah Johnson as “Mister” and Joaquina Kalukango as “Nettie.” Winfrey serves as a producer as she was for the original production.

Maybe it’s the purple lipstick or maybe it’s the hair that as of late, is always on fleek. Maybe it’s her genuine spirit. Or the undeniable talent that she has. Whatever it is, JHud is here to stay and we’re so excited to welcome her to Broadway!

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The Lion King Brings Heart And Soul To CBS’s Code Black

Broadway Black — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 16:31:36 +0000

We love when musicals and television mix! Last week The Lion King alum, Alton Fitzgerald White, appeared on CBS’s medical drama, “Code Black,” along with cast members from the touring production of The Lion King.

It’s almost as if his 4,000+ performances as Mufasa led to this moment. The episode entitled, “The Son Rises” features White as an actor playing Mufasa in the touring company of The Lion King who comes to the hospital with a damaging throat infection. But like all good stories, there’s more. The Lion King plot is intermixed with the gripping story of a son who soon has to say goodbye to his father.

Creator and Writer, Michael Seitzman, came up with the idea to incorporate The Lion King cast after seeing the viral video of the cast singing during their layover at La Guardia airport. After all, actors are humans. Seitzman became intrigued with exposing the human nature behind a show that on the surface is about animals, and the potential magical experience this company could bring to “Code Black.”

Bring. On. The. Tears.

“They Live in You,” the song sung by The Lion King cast on “Code Black,” is seemingly written from the contents of White’s heart. Much like the father-son plot, White had to say goodbye to his father while he was on tour as Mufasa in his hometown of Cincinnati, OH. He notes, “Death is very much a part of the human experience—the acceptance and how we deal with the transition.” This theme carries throughout the episode, and while heavy, White says this experience has shaped his vision for his future.

I thought “They Live in You” was a tear jerker merely listening to The Lion King cast album. But it gets better! Imagine soulful voices belting in the midst of a crisis. Imagine a cast coming together to console their castmate who fears he may never be able to sing again and a child in the middle of grief. If you aren’t going to take our word for it, take Seitzman’s. On the heartwarming performances, he said:

It was breathtaking. Their voices were breathtaking. The whole room fell apart. It was amazing.

White originated the role of Mufasa on the first national tour of The Lion King and in the Las Vegas production. He eventually portrayed Mufasa on Broadway. We hope this episode isn’t the last time we see him on camera!

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Nikki M. James Joins Cast of New CBS Series, BrainDead

Broadway Black — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 18:18:12 +0000

Tony Award-winner Nikki M. James is affirming her presence in primetime! The Broadway belter recently signed on to join theater heartthrob Aaron Tveit in the new CBS series, “BrainDead.”

James, whose other TV credits include “Law & Order” and a recurring spot on “The Good Wife,” will take on the role of Rochelle, a medical resident who, after her father’s mysterious death, teams up with series protagonist Laurel (Mary Elizabeth Wilstead) to solve the mystery and save others from the same fate.

“We fell in love with Nikki the first time we saw her in The Book of Mormon,” executive producers Robert and Michelle King praised. “Her work on ‘The Good Wife’ has only increased our admiration, and we couldn’t be more excited that she’s joining the cast of ‘BrainDead.'”

The petite powerhouse made news when she won the 2011 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her role as Nabalungi in the record breaking hit Broadway musical The Book of Mormon. Additional Broadway credits include All Shook Up, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and most recently, the coveted role of Eponine in the Broadway revival of Les Misérables.

According to press notes, “BrainDead” is a new comic-thriller set in Washington D.C. that tells the story of Laurel, “a young, fresh-faced Hill staffer whose first job in Washington, D.C. leads her to discover two things: The government has stopped working, and alien spawn have come to earth and eaten the brains of a growing number of Congressmen and Hill staffers.”

Hey, “Independence Day” made it work, so as long as Nikki is there, so is Broadway Black! The extraterrestrial series has received a 13-episode order and is set to premiere summer of 2016.

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