But the conversation didn’t stop there.

When the conversations shifted to the brain child of our Managing Editor April Reign, #OscarsSoWhite, Lupita had something to say.

We knew we liked Lupita. 

This isn’t the first time the Oscar winner has spoken out about the lack of representation in the Oscars. She took to Instagram weeks ago in alignment with her peers seeking change by saying: “The Awards should not dictate the terms of art in our modern society, but rather be a diverse reflection of the best of what our art has to offer today.”

Like the rest of us, she sees the need for expansion in the diversity of shows in order to better reflect the world we live in. She’s invested in sharing untold stories—much like that of the five African women, bonded together by turmoil and navigating war. The story she’s currently sharing 8 shows a week. 

I feel the change coming in the atmosphere and I’d like to believe it will be greater than changes in membership and voting policies. But until then, we’ll be in formation. We’re going to keep on creating. We’re going to keep on supporting. And here, we’re going to keep on highlighting the achievements and successes of African-American theatre artists on and off the Broadway stage. 

As for Sunday, February 28th. Well, we’ll be live-tweeting “The Wood.”

The post New Broadway Star Lupita Nyong’o talks #OscarsSoWhite appeared first on Broadway Black.

You could say it’s in the genes. While Jennifer Hudson gears up for her Broadway debut as Shug Avery in The Color Purple, her son five-year old David Daniel Otunga Jr. could well be on his way to join her on the Great White Way.

A few weeks ago, Hudson posted a video on Instagram of the duo singing Wiz Khalifas “When I See You Again”, and as you probably figured it was adorable. Captioned as “Boss Baby felt like singing too,” little David is clearly singing his heart out and giving his all.

Boss baby felt like singing

A video posted by Jennifer Hudson (@iamjhud) on Jul 12, 2015 at 5:37pm PDT

Jennifer sat down with the Today Show last week to discuss her upcoming role on Broadway and her little future Broadway star that she says, “has the gene [singing gene].” Like mother, like son. And if you thought the five-year old was afraid of the Big Apple, think again.

“He’s excited,” said Hudson. “He’s like, ‘Mommy? So we’re moving to New York? When are we moving?’ And every time we come throughout the summer, he’s like, ‘Are we here to stay now?'”

Boss Baby will get his wish soon enough, as The Color Purple begins previews at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre November 10, with opening night set for Thursday, December 3

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. Also starring in the revival are Cynthia Erivo and Danielle Brooks. The Color Purple tells the story of a woman named “Celie” as she navigates her life in rural Georgia in the early 1900s. The original Broadway production opened in 2005 with LaChanze, who won a Tony for her performance in the leading role of “Celie”. This revival will be directed by John Doyle, whose stripped-down production opened in London on July 15, 2013. The new staging cuts approximately 30 minutes of material from the original musical.

Tickets are available now online here and by calling Telecharge at 212.239.6200. Tickets will be made available in person at the box office starting this fall. In the meantime, Jennifer Hudson’s version of “Too Beautiful For Words” is still available to download, that should be enough to hold you over until November, just like Boss Baby David, we’re excited too.

The post Jennifer Hudson’s Son Could Be Next In Line For Broadway appeared first on Broadway Black.