Heather Headley to take over for J.Hud in THE COLOR PURPLE
Heather Headley to take over for J.Hud in THE COLOR PURPLE
WiCkEDrOcKS
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/13/04
#1Heather Headley to take over for J.Hud in THE COLOR PURPLE
Posted: 4/7/16 at 1:05pm
https://www.facebook.com/Broadway/videos/vb.12449188884/10154146346098885/?type=2&theater
Hudson's last performance is May 8th - Headley's first performance is May 10th.
neonlightsxo
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/29/08
#2Heather Headley to take over for J.Hud in THE COLOR PURPLE
Posted: 4/7/16 at 1:07pm
Heather Headley as Shug? Are they sure?
#3Heather Headley to take over for J.Hud in THE COLOR PURPLE
Posted: 4/7/16 at 1:07pm
That's a great choice I may have to re-visit the show once she's in place.
Off topic: WTF is going on with Paul Wontorek's hair?!?!?
RW3
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/20/13
#4Heather Headley to take over for J.Hud in THE COLOR PURPLE
Posted: 4/7/16 at 1:09pm
This has made my day.
#5Heather Headley to take over for J.Hud in THE COLOR PURPLE
Posted: 4/7/16 at 1:09pm
As much as I love Heather Headley, SO happy I have tickets for May 6th. I got so nervous when this press release popped up.
#6Heather Headley to take over for J.Hud in THE COLOR PURPLE
Posted: 4/7/16 at 1:09pm
Surprising to hear, because I thought the producers would want to keep Jennifer Hudson in until after the Tonys. But I guess however many nominations the production will receive should keep in interest in it throughout the month of May.
I already have my tickets to see The Color Purple on June 10th, so I guess I'll take Heather Headley.
#7Heather Headley to take over for J.Hud in THE COLOR PURPLE
Posted: 4/7/16 at 1:15pm
Terrific casting choice in my opinion!
#8Heather Headley to take over for J.Hud in THE COLOR PURPLE
Posted: 4/7/16 at 1:15pm
Jeffrey Karasarides said: "Surprising to hear, because I thought the producers would want to keep Jennifer Hudson in until after the Tonys. But I guess however many nominations the production will receive should keep in interest in it throughout the month of May.
I already have my tickets to see The Color Purple on June 10th, so I guess I'll take Heather Headley."
In her Show People interview she seemed to be really loving her time in the show...possibly she has a film commitment.
#9Heather Headley to take over for J.Hud in THE COLOR PURPLE
Posted: 4/7/16 at 1:16pm
Jeffrey Karasarides said: "Surprising to hear, because I thought the producers would want to keep Jennifer Hudson in until after the Tonys. But I guess however many nominations the production will receive should keep in interest in it throughout the month of May.
I already have my tickets to see The Color Purple on June 10th, so I guess I'll take Heather Headley."
I'm sure they tried and just couldn't get Hudson to extend her contract. I'm surprised she wasn't willing to stay for at least another month, though I guess if she gets nominated she gets to enjoy the excitement of Tony season without the grueling 8 performances a week, as well.
Either way, this is absolutely fantastic news. Having seen Hudson in the role twice now, I'm thrilled to be seeing Headley in June. I'm certain she'll be a sensational Shug.
#10Heather Headley to take over for J.Hud in THE COLOR PURPLE
Posted: 4/7/16 at 1:26pm
I must admit the night I saw Headley in the bodyguard in London she seemed bored and was sadly nothing special, not sure how I feel about this.
sparepart973
Broadway Star Joined: 4/7/12
#11Heather Headley to take over for J.Hud in THE COLOR PURPLE
Posted: 4/7/16 at 1:43pm
^ I thought she was AMAZING in The Bodyguard. Gutted she's not doing the tour in the US.
Does anyone know how long she is contracted for? On her FB page she says she is making NY her residence in the summer, so it sounds like a few months gig. Her family is in Chicago, so it might be just a May-August run before schools start.
Alex10
Stand-by Joined: 11/18/15
#12Heather Headley to take over for J.Hud in THE COLOR PURPLE
Posted: 4/7/16 at 1:45pm
REALLY excited about this! Heather Headley has only ever been excellent in the things I've seen her do, and Shug is one of my favorite roles. Awesome.
#13Heather Headley to take over for J.Hud in THE COLOR PURPLE
Posted: 4/7/16 at 1:51pm
I'm dissapointed Hudson is leaving in May. 
10086sunset
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/8/16
#14Heather Headley to take over for J.Hud in THE COLOR PURPLE
Posted: 4/7/16 at 1:56pm
Surprised at the timing of Hudson's departure.
Wouldn't have believed she would have taken off before the Tony's.
AnnieBlack
Leading Actor Joined: 4/3/14
#15Heather Headley to take over for J.Hud in THE COLOR PURPLE
Posted: 4/7/16 at 1:58pm
Surprised as well- but just out of the blue speculation- could Hudson be taking over for Audra in Shuffle Along? This would give her a bit of a break before the late June start
BroadwayConcierge
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/24/15
#16Heather Headley to take over for J.Hud in THE COLOR PURPLE
Posted: 4/7/16 at 1:59pm
Really interesting suspicion, AnnieBlack. My initial instinct is that a replacement role (even in as high-profile of a show as Shuffle Along is right now) is probably not up to Hudson's par—but I guess we'll see in the coming days/weeks!
10086sunset
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/8/16
#17Heather Headley to take over for J.Hud in THE COLOR PURPLE
Posted: 4/7/16 at 1:59pm
AnnieBlack said: "Surprised as well- but just out of the blue speculation- could Hudson be taking over for Audra in Shuffle Along? This would give her a bit of a break before the late June start
"
Now that's an idea!
#18Heather Headley to take over for J.Hud in THE COLOR PURPLE
Posted: 4/7/16 at 2:01pm
Wow that would be something.
neonlightsxo
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/29/08
#19Heather Headley to take over for J.Hud in THE COLOR PURPLE
Posted: 4/7/16 at 2:08pm
I don't think JHud is a soprano.
#20Heather Headley to take over for J.Hud in THE COLOR PURPLE
Posted: 4/7/16 at 2:18pm
Also not sure she can tap dance.
Broadwaystar2
Broadway Star Joined: 9/4/13
#21Heather Headley to take over for J.Hud in THE COLOR PURPLE
Posted: 4/7/16 at 2:21pm
BroadwayConcierge said: "Really interesting suspicion, AnnieBlack. My initial instinct is that a replacement role (even in as high-profile of a show as Shuffle Along is right now) is probably not up to Hudson's par—but I guess we'll see in the coming days/weeks!
"She is absolutely not taking over for Audra".
AnnieBlack
Leading Actor Joined: 4/3/14
#22Heather Headley to take over for J.Hud in THE COLOR PURPLE
Posted: 4/7/16 at 2:26pm
As I said, just speculation- just think its odd not to be performing through the Tony awards, and it would be a name that would attract ticket buyers!
BroadwayConcierge
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/24/15
#23Heather Headley to take over for J.Hud in THE COLOR PURPLE
Posted: 4/7/16 at 2:26pm
Broadwaystar2, what? Are you quoting yourself? Somebody else?
#24Heather Headley to take over for J.Hud in THE COLOR PURPLE
Posted: 4/7/16 at 3:45pm
AnnieBlack said: "Surprised as well- but just out of the blue speculation- could Hudson be taking over for Audra in Shuffle Along? This would give her a bit of a break before the late June start"
Jennifer showed up at Show People earlier this week and said, in no uncertain terms, that she needs a break from stage. I genuinely doubt she's Audra's replacement (however inspired that choice is). I actually thought they might ask Heather to replace Audra. That'd have been fun.
Liza's Headband
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/28/13
#26Heather Headley to take over for J.Hud in THE COLOR PURPLE
Posted: 4/7/16 at 3:47pm
PThespian said: "Heather Headley? Eeek. Sadly not a huge fan of hers. She sounds more like a screecher than a singer to me. But people love her. Seems I'm in the minority.
Guess I better hightail it over to the Jacobs this month.
"
Heather Headley, a "screecher"??? Honey, you need to get your ears checked. It's fine if you're not a fan but to suggest that she screeches, screlts or screams is just not accurate. She actually has fantastic technique and a really healthy voice, given her propensity to belt.
Videos