We at Broadway Black have kept you in the loop chronicling every tweet, every article, every interview, every post surrounding the highly anticipated arrival, and now the opportunity to experience what I predict can only be described as “getting your ENTIRE life” is now upon us.

John Doyle’s “stripped down” adaptation of the 2005 Tony nominated piece cuts approximately 30 minutes of material from the original Broadway production.  Even so, breathtaking sneak peeks and coverage of the rehearsal process would indicate that this brilliant cast will deliver everything we need.

Adapted from the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel and Oscar-nominated film, The Color Purple tells the inspirational story of Celie, who through faith and the power of love, triumphs over relentless pain and adversity to find the God-given strength she never knew she had.

According to press notes, “with a soul-raising score of jazz, gospel, ragtime and blues, The Color Purple gives an exhilarating new spirit to this Pulitzer Prize-winning story.”

Joining Erivo as “Celie,” Brooks as “Sophia” and Hudson as “Shug Avery,” are Isaiah Johnson as “Mister,” Joaquina Kalukango as “Nettie,” and Kyle Scatliffe as “Harpo.” Rounding off the ensemble are Dwayne Clark (Spiderman), Lawrence Clayton (Bells Are Ringing), Carrie Compere (Holler If Ya Hear Me), Bre Jackson (Book of Mormon), Grasan Kingsberry (The Color Purple original 2005 cast), Kevyn Morrow (A Chorus Line), Ken Robinson (Memphis), Antoine L. Smith (Memphis) and Rema Webb (The Lion King).  Phoenix Best, Patrice Covington, Adrianna Hicks, Carla R. Stewart and Akron Watson will all also be making their Broadway debuts.

We’ve got our tickets HERE! Make sure to get them NOW!

The post The Color Purple Begins Previews Marking JHud Broadway Debut appeared first on Broadway Black.

Filmed on Oct. 6 and set to the musical’s title song, touching video footage of the first rehearsal for the revival of The Color Purple shows most of the cast, crew and creative team meeting each other for the very first time.  Still, as they greet each other with soft smiles and warm hugs, the viewer can’t help but get a sense of union; that this is already a family.

Joaquina Kalukango, who will take on the role of Celie’s beloved sister Nettie, shared her take on the thrilling new opportunity: “To be in a room with such great people and great friends and to take on this new telling of the story is very exciting!”

Now two weeks into rehearsal, all signs indicate that the team is having the time of their lives!  Stars Jennifer Hudson, Cynthia Erivo and Danielle Brooks seem to have become fast friends, posting several pictures on Instagram of their many selfies, shopping trips and dinner dates.  Just last week, icon and show producer Oprah Winfrey surprised the cast by showing up at the studio for an impromptu sing-a-long.

Following rave reviews in London, American fans of the original production are eager to experience director John Doyle’s stripped down version of The Color Purple as it makes its way to the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre.

As previously announced, joining Kalukango are Erivo as “Celie,” Brooks as “Sophia,” Hudson as “Shug Avery,” Isaiah Johnson as “Mister,” and Kyle Scatliffe as “Harpo.” Rounding out the ensemble are 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. 

After hearing the cast together for the first time, show composers Stephen Bray and Brenda Russell and librettist Marsha Norman beamed like proud parents.

“Listening to amazing vocalists sing the music…it’s a joyful noise, right?” Bray looked to his colleagues before confirming with a smile, “it’s a joyful noise.”

Tickets for The Color Purple are available HERE.

The post WATCH: Look into the First Rehearsal of The Color Purple appeared first on Broadway Black.

Joining them in the middle of rehearsal, Winfrey greeted stars Cynthia Erivo and Danielle Brooks before joyfully joining the beaming cast to sing the title song around the piano.  Once the song was over, the group instantly erupted in cheers and applause, having professionally waited to finish singing before giving in to their fandom. Watch the clips HERE:

@oprah just surprised our cast at #rehearsal! #OWN #Broadway #Theater #TheColorPurple

A video posted by The Color Purple (@bwaycolorpurple) on Oct 15, 2015 at 12:04pm PDT

@Oprah joins in on the song! #OWN #TheColorPurple #Theater #Broadway @daniebb3 @iamjhud @cynthiaerivo A video posted by The Color Purple (@bwaycolorpurple) on Oct 15, 2015 at 12:35pm PDT

Cheers erupt as our cast finishing rehearsing with @oprah. #OWN #Broadway #TheColorPurple #Oprah #Theater

A video posted by The Color Purple (@bwaycolorpurple) on Oct 15, 2015 at 1:59pm PDT

Unexpected blessings!! @bwaycolorpurple Mother O!

A photo posted by Danielle Brooks (@daniebb3) on Oct 16, 2015 at 9:31am PDT

“The Color Purple has long been a part of my life. From the first time I read it over 20 years ago until now, I’ve always wanted as many people as possible to experience this story.” – Oprah

The company is merely a month away from previews with opening night set for December 10.  Following rave reviews in London, American fans of the original production are eager to experience director John Doyle’s stripped down revival of The Color Purple as it makes its way to the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre. Joining Erivo as “Celie” and Brooks as “Sophia” are previously announced Jennifer Hudson as “Shug Avery,” Isaiah Johnson as “Mister,” Joaquina Kalukango as “Nettie,” and Kyle Scatliffe as “Harpo.” Rounding out the ensemble are 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. 

Visit our partner TiqIQ to purchase tickets.

 

Sing, Mama O! @bwaycolorpurple! @oprah in rehearsals! #WeAreBroadwayBlack

 

A photo posted by BroadwayBlack (@broadwayblack) on Oct 15, 2015 at 4:24pm PDT

The post Oprah Surprises Cast of The Color Purple In Rehearsal appeared first on Broadway Black.

August Wilson’s work is getting a lot of much-deserved love and attention this upcoming theatre season. Actors Theatre of Louisville, one of the United States’ most prominent Tony-Award winning regional theatres, will be producing Seven Guitars, directed by accomplished theatre artist, Colman Domingo. Seven Guitars is one of the plays in Wilson’s well-known Century Cycle. It follows the story of blues musician Floyd Barton as he tries both to gather the pieces of his life he left behind as well as navigate the world as a Black man in 1940s Philadelphia.

Domingo leads a powerhouse cast that includes Joniece Abbott-Pratt (The Good Negro at the Public Theater), Joaquina Kalukango (Holler If Ya Hear Me, Godspell), Forrest McClendon (The Scottsboro Boys), J. Alphonse Nicholson (Autumn’s Harvest at Lincoln Center), Harold Surratt (Impressionist, Serious Money), Sharon Washington (The Scottsboro Boys) and Bowman Wright. Seven Guitars features original music and composition by Jon Spurney.

#Repost @j_fonz with @repostapp.
・・・
As we finish our last note session with our fearless, brilliant director @kingofbingo, we take a moment to bless the stage and invite our ancestors to join us. I’m so blessed to share this powerful story given to us by August Wilson with some of the most talented artist I know. @geecheegal @forrestmcclendon @jabbottpratt @joaquinakalukango @bowmanwright #HaroldSurratt All of you are true Queens and Kings of your craft. Thank you for sharing your gifts and allowing me to be apart of your family. Much love to everyone. Happy Opening! xoxo #lifeofanartist #blessed #steadygrind #family #bite #callmeFloyd @actorstheatre

A photo posted by Actors Theatre of Louisville (@actorstheatre) on Sep 3, 2015 at 12:14pm PDT

#Repost @kingofbingo with @repostapp. ・・・ The women of Seven Guitars at Actors Theatre of Louisville. Each one thrills. I am honored and blessed with each one. Happy Opening Night. @geecheegal @jabbottpratt @joaquinakalukango @actorstheatre A photo posted by Sharon Washington (@geecheegal) on Sep 3, 2015 at 7:20am PDT

#Repost @kingofbingo with @repostapp. ・・・ The men of Seven Guitars at Actors Theatre of Louisville. Happy Opening Night. I think you make Mr. Wilson proud. I know I am. So much love. @actorstheatre @forrestmcclendon @j_fonz @bowmanwright #haroldsurratte

A photo posted by Sharon Washington (@geecheegal) on Sep 3, 2015 at 7:18am PDT

Missing my brother-director-collaborator-friend. The multi-talented, multi-hyphenate @kingofbingo. We’ll have to play without him for the next two weeks! #SevenGuitars #AugustWilson @actorstheatre #classic #Repost @aktanov_domingo with @repostapp. ・・・ This man… So grateful to be inspired by his brilliance. He is KILLING it as a director of August Wilson’s “Seven Guitars” #Louisville #actorstheatre #multifaceted #polyglot A photo posted by Sharon Washington (@geecheegal) on Sep 7, 2015 at 6:24am PDT

Domingo, whose extensive resume includes Academy-Award nominated film, Selma, as Reverend Ralph David Abernathy and starring on AMC’s hit television series, Fear The Walking Dead, is also an accomplished playwright. Domingo’s play, A Boy and His Soul, has been performed for both British and Australian audiences to rave reviews. Additionally, his play Wild with Happy made its debut at the Public Theater. When he is not writing, gracing the stage or screen, or directing, Domingo is on the Board of Directors of the Vineyard Theater in New York and has taught in many theatres around the country, including UNC Chapel Hill, the Savannah College of Art and Design, and University of Wisconsin.

Here at Broadway Black, we know that Domingo will bring a refreshing view to this classic entry in African-American theatre. To receive more information about Seven Guitars, as well as ways to purchase tickets, visit the Actors Theatre of Louisville website.

Sound off in the comments with your thoughts about the focus on August Wilson’s plays and whether the Century Cycle continues to remain relevant.

The post Colman Domingo Leads Powerhouse Cast of Seven Guitars at Actors Theatre appeared first on Broadway Black.

In the Entertainment Weekly interview, Jennifer Hudson had this to say:

“I’ve read the book, I’ve seen the film and I loved the original production on Broadway!” Hudson tells EW and People exclusively.

Hudson, 33, who plays Shug Avery, says Alice Walker’s story is “a timeless piece of American culture. The story holds a special place in my heart because, in part, it’s so honest. All of the characters are true to who they are. Each individual is an integral part of the message and it brings a complex emotion that sticks with the audience.”

Read the rest of the interview HERE to find out how she’ll deal with the nerves of being on Broadway.

Alongside Hudson & Erivo, Orange Is The New Black star Danielle Brooks will play Sofia, Olivier nominee and Broadway alum Kyle Scatliffe (Les Miserables, Scottsboro Boys) will take on the role of Harpo. Joining Scatliffe will be Isaiah Johnson (Peter and the Starcatcher, Side Show) as Mister and Joaquina Kalukango, will portray Celie’s sister, Nettie.

From The Color Purple Website;

Oscar, Golden Globe and Grammy winner Jennifer Hudson(Dreamgirls) has dazzled the world with her matchless talent. This fall, she makes her long-awaited Broadway debut as the sultry Shug Avery in the joyous and triumphant musical The Color Purple.

This unforgettable and intensely moving new production mesmerized audiences when it premiered at London’s acclaimed Menier Chocolate Factory, where critics hailed it as “a revelation” (Mark Shenton, The Stage). Now, this American classic comes to Broadway with a powerhouse cast including celebrated London star Cynthia Erivo, who will recreate her electrifying performance as Celie, along with “Orange is the New Black” star Danielle Brooksas Sophia.

With a soul-raising score of jazz, gospel, ragtime and blues, The Color Purple gives an exhilarating new spirit to this Pulitzer Prize-winning story.

Tickets for the musical are on sale  to the general public, the prices range between $75.00 and $145.00.  The production begins previews Nov. 10 at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre. Opening night is set for Dec. 10. You can purchase your tickets here or by calling 212.239.6200.

The post Jennifer Hudson & Cynthia Erivo Sing The Color Purple In New Music Video appeared first on Broadway Black.

Isaiah Johnson, Joaquina Kalukango, & Kyle Scatliffe Join @bwaycolorpurple Find out in what roles on BroadwayBlack.com

A photo posted by BroadwayBlack (@broadwayblack) on Jul 27, 2015 at 9:26am PDT

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.

“What {director} John Doyle has done with The Color Purple is a revelation—to maintain the show’s epic sweep and sense of history while also ensuring that Celie’s journey be an intimate, emotionally profound theatrical experience,” said producer Scott Sanders. “Celie is the heart of The Color Purple and Cynthia Erivo, an astonishingly talented young actress who will be making her Broadway debut, is thrilling in the role. She breaks the audience’s heart and heals it by the show’s finale, all while blowing the roof off the theatre with her remarkable voice. And having her joined onstage by an acclaimed actress and recording star like Jennifer Hudson—who will also be making her Broadway debut—all but guarantees some legendary musical theatre fireworks.”

Tickets for the musical are on sale  to the general public, the prices range between $75.00 and $145.00. The production begins previews Nov. 10 at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre. Opening night is set for Dec. 10. You can purchase your tickets here or by calling 212.239.6200.

The post Kyle Scatliffe, Joaquina Kalukango, & Isaiah Johnson Join The Color Purple appeared first on Broadway Black.