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.
Updated On: 4/7/16 at 01:05 PM
Posted: 4/7/16 at 1:07pm
Heather Headley as Shug? Are they sure?
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?!?!?
Posted: 4/7/16 at 1:09pm
This has made my day.
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.
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.
Posted: 4/7/16 at 1:15pm
Terrific casting choice in my opinion!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Posted: 4/7/16 at 1:51pm
I'm dissapointed Hudson is leaving in May. 
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.
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
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!
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!
Posted: 4/7/16 at 2:01pm
Wow that would be something.
Posted: 4/7/16 at 2:08pm
I don't think JHud is a soprano.
Posted: 4/7/16 at 2:18pm
Also not sure she can tap dance.
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".
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!
Posted: 4/7/16 at 2:26pm
Broadwaystar2, what? Are you quoting yourself? Somebody else?
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.
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.
