Jennifer Holliday to join THE COLOR PURPLE

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 8/24/16 at 3:02pm

http://www.broadway.com/buzz/185747/youre-gonna-love-shug-tony-winning-dreamgirls-star-jennifer-holliday-to-join-the-color-purple-on-broadway/

Beginning October 4th.

Updated On: 8/24/16 at 03:02 PM

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 8/24/16 at 3:02pm

Awful decision.

[backwoodsbarbie]

Posted: 8/24/16 at 3:03pm

Apparently age doesn't matter anymore. 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 8/24/16 at 3:07pm

Ouch!  This is going to be a mess.  They're going to have to fine her for her vocal theatrics as it'll ruin the tone of the revival.  Oh, boy.  

[ChairinMain]

Posted: 8/24/16 at 3:07pm

Eh....the show covers a period of Shug's life when she's, what, 30s to 50s? Heather Hedley's 41. Jennifer Holiday's only 9 years older. if she can sing it (she can) and act it (I think so?) I'm down. 

[kingslim]

Posted: 8/24/16 at 3:08pm

Horrible casting. No disrespect to Ms Holliday but this isn't the right role for her. I guess the producers are going in a whole different direction. 

[nasty_khakis]

Posted: 8/24/16 at 3:11pm

I wonder if John Doyle had any decision in this casting. I'd hate for this production to turn into a Chicago-style rotation. Wendy Williams IS Sophia!

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 8/24/16 at 3:14pm

I don't really have an opinion on how she'll be in the role, but I do think they're overestimating her box office appeal.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/24/16 at 3:14pm

Oh, please. This is amazing news and you queens are gonna line up to see this. 

[tja928]

Posted: 8/24/16 at 3:15pm

I'll reserve judgment until we see some videos. She definitley has the talent. Interesting choice, looking forward to seeing how it turns out.

Updated On: 8/24/16 at 03:15 PM

[Valentina3]

Posted: 8/24/16 at 3:15pm

Okay tell me ONE person (on this board) who wouldn't actually go to see the show? 

I sure af would. She's phenomenal. Heather's theatrics and vocals felt like they wouldn't suit the show either, but she made it work. And work magnificently. This is brilliant casting choice.

 

*insert customary "at least they didn't cast Todrick Hall" joke here*

Updated On: 8/24/16 at 03:15 PM

[Diva_Dom]

Posted: 8/24/16 at 3:18pm

Having seen the show 34 time, I'm intrigued to see what she does with Shug Avery. I think she'll be great. I cannot wait to see he ron October 4th 

[mpd4165]

Posted: 8/24/16 at 3:30pm

Jordan Catalano said: "Oh, please. This is amazing news and you queens are gonna line up to see this. 

 

"

THANK YOU.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 8/24/16 at 3:47pm

Oh, man, Heather Headley is stunning as Shug. My concern is that Holliday's over-the-top acting will clash with Erivo's delicate, nuanced, transcendent turn as Celie. Still, I think there's something exciting about this choice, Doyle is definitely taking a lot of risks with the people he's chosen to play Shug and so far they have paid off. With some rigor and restrain, Holliday will be spectacular. 

[adamgreer]

Posted: 8/24/16 at 3:54pm

Push 'Da Button will now be 19 minutes long. 

[nasty_khakis]

Posted: 8/24/16 at 4:01pm

adamgreer said: "Push 'Da Button will now be 19 minutes long."

And even less subtle.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 8/24/16 at 4:07pm

adamgreer said: "Push 'Da Button will now be 19 minutes long. 

 

Thank you adamgreer for being the cause of me spitting out my afternoon coffee all over my MacBook's screen. Thank you very much. Grrrr!!! 

 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/24/16 at 4:12pm

But can we please just have -

Celie - Sheryl Lee Ralph
Shug - Jennifer Holliday
Sophia - Loretta Devine
Mister - Obba Babatundé
Nettie - Deborah Burrell
Harpo - Cleavant Derricks

Updated On: 8/24/16 at 04:12 PM

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 8/24/16 at 4:25pm

Jordan Catalano said: "But can we please just have -

Celie - Sheryl Lee Ralph
Shug - Jennifer Holliday
Sophia - Loretta Devine
Mister - Obba Babatundé
Nettie - Deborah Burrell
Harpo - Cleavant Derricks

 

LMAO!!! Now that's a cast!! **Genius!**

 

[perfectlymarvelous]

Posted: 8/24/16 at 4:28pm

HA HA. 

 

[Littleshopofcarrie]

Posted: 8/24/16 at 4:41pm

Didn't she play Sofia a few years back?

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 8/24/16 at 4:43pm

Littleshopofcarrie said: "Didn't she play Sofia a few years back?

 
She most certainly did. - Mini tour back in 2014.

From Broadway.com article dated: October 17, 2014:

Jennifer Holliday Will Lead The Color Purple
Tony winner Jennifer Holliday will headline a three-city-tour of The Color Purple. The Dreamgirls star revealed on her Facebook page that she’ll take on the role of Sofia in the tuner, starting performances next week in Detroit. This production is not to be confused with director John Doyle’s version, which is co-produced by Oprah, although of course we’d love to see Holliday leading that one too.
 

Updated On: 8/24/16 at 04:43 PM

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 8/24/16 at 4:50pm

[KJisgroovy]

Posted: 8/24/16 at 5:11pm

Well I think this is terrific. Shug isn't the hardest part to play.

Will she act it as well as Heather Headley? Heavens no... but I think her persona... a talent not quite as exceptional as it once was... a little too over the top for her own good... might add some interesting elements to the character. 

The scenes between Shug and Celie will suffer a bit... but Cynthia really carries that arch on her own... I don't think it will diminish her performance any. 

Any idea if Cynthia will extend? Any idea if the show will even make it to October?

[ACL2006]

Posted: 8/24/16 at 5:27pm

I have to imagine Erivo's extending through Jan. 8 with the likelihood that the show closes that day as well. Unless the can get a big name to replace Erivo, I really can see the show surviving without her.