Jennifer Holliday to join THE COLOR PURPLE
Jennifer Holliday to join THE COLOR PURPLE
WiCkEDrOcKS
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/13/04
#1Jennifer Holliday to join THE COLOR PURPLE
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.
#2Jennifer Holliday to join THE COLOR PURPLE
Posted: 8/24/16 at 3:02pm
Awful decision.
"Oh look at the time, three more intelligent plays just closed and THE ADDAMS FAMILY made another million dollars" -Jackie Hoffman, Broadway.com Audience Awards
#3Jennifer Holliday to join THE COLOR PURPLE
Posted: 8/24/16 at 3:03pm
Apparently age doesn't matter anymore.
http://backstagebarbie.blogspot.com
BrodyFosse123
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/27/06
#4Jennifer Holliday to join THE COLOR PURPLE
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.
#5Jennifer Holliday to join THE COLOR PURPLE
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
Swing Joined: 5/5/11
#6Jennifer Holliday to join THE COLOR PURPLE
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
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/15/07
#7Jennifer Holliday to join THE COLOR PURPLE
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
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/29/08
#8Jennifer Holliday to join THE COLOR PURPLE
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.
#9Jennifer Holliday to join THE COLOR PURPLE
Posted: 8/24/16 at 3:14pm
Oh, please. This is amazing news and you queens are gonna line up to see this.
#10Jennifer Holliday to join THE COLOR PURPLE
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
#11Jennifer Holliday to join THE COLOR PURPLE
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*
Caption: Every so often there was a rare moment of perfect balance when I soared above him.
Updated On: 8/24/16 at 03:15 PM
#12Jennifer Holliday to join THE COLOR PURPLE
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
Leading Actor Joined: 8/6/09
#13Jennifer Holliday to join THE COLOR PURPLE
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.
#14Jennifer Holliday to join THE COLOR PURPLE
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.
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"
#15Jennifer Holliday to join THE COLOR PURPLE
Posted: 8/24/16 at 3:54pm
Push 'Da Button will now be 19 minutes long.
nasty_khakis
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/15/07
#16Jennifer Holliday to join THE COLOR PURPLE
Posted: 8/24/16 at 4:01pm
adamgreer said: "Push 'Da Button will now be 19 minutes long."
And even less subtle.
#17Jennifer Holliday to join THE COLOR PURPLE
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!!!
#18Jennifer Holliday to join THE COLOR PURPLE
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
#19Jennifer Holliday to join THE COLOR PURPLE
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!**
#21Jennifer Holliday to join THE COLOR PURPLE
Posted: 8/24/16 at 4:41pm
Didn't she play Sofia a few years back?
#22Jennifer Holliday to join THE COLOR PURPLE
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.
BrodyFosse123
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/27/06
#24Jennifer Holliday to join THE COLOR PURPLE
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?
Jesus saves. I spend.
#25Jennifer Holliday to join THE COLOR PURPLE
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.
A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.
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