WAKE UP with BWW 12/10/2015 - THE COLOR PURPLE Opens and More!
By: Jessica Khan Dec. 10, 2015
Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: THE COLOR PURPLE returns to the Great White Way with an all-star cast!
TODAY'S TOP ITEMS:
- THE COLOR PURPLE, starring Jennifer Hudson and Cynthia Erivo, opens tonight on Broadway!
- Across the pond, Chichester's GUYS AND DOLLS moves to the West End, and SHOW BOAT opens at the Crucible.
- And be sure to tune in! Off-Broadway's DADDY LONG LEGS streams LIVE online tonight!
NEWS YOU MISSED YESTERDAY:
- Deaf West will take Broadway's SPRING AWAKENING on tour in 2017!
- Director Sam Mendes has left the Broadway-bound CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY.
- We got a first look (right) at photos and highlights from Broadway's THE COLOR PURPLE, plus shots from NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 at A.R.T., and a peek at ITV's THE SOUND OF MUSIC LIVE!
- Carol Burnett will be honored with this year's SAG Life Achievement Award, while Uzo Aduba and Kevin Spacey are among the 2016 nominees.
- And Barbra Streisand is working on her 35th studio album...
Broadway Weather Forecast: High of 59 degrees and sunny - what is this weather?! It's great!
Quote of the Day: A word from THE COLOR PURPLE's Jennifer Hudson...
"Even though I am extremely blessed to have accomplished many of my goals at such a young age, I am still reaching, still striving."
-- Jennifer Hudson (via BrainyQuote)
What we're listening to: Stage and screen vet Darren Criss' full version of "Not Alone"!
Darren Criss - Not Alone (The Story)For the first time ever, a fully produced version of "Not Alone" is here. The song and shirt will only be available for the next 14 days through www.represent.com/darrencriss . Many of you have been wondering for years where a full-length album is. I can promise that while I've been continually working towards putting one out, I have equally been primarily focused on making it a body of work that I'm proud of. As such, I have in fact, written and recorded dozens of songs, but a majority of them haven't felt quite ready. However, a track that always stood out on its own was a full studio version of "Not Alone." Thanks to Represent, we've found a unique way to release this song, that will help in this goal of putting out a full album.
Posted by Darren Criss on Wednesday, December 9, 2015
What we're looking forward to watching: The upcoming OWN TV special OPRAH GOES TO BROADWAY: THE COLOR PURPLE, airing later this month!
And a Happy Birthday shout-out to Kenneth Branagh, who turns 55 today!
Director and stage and screen actor Kenneth Branagh last appeared in New York in MACBETH at the Park Avenue Armory. He is in talks to bring that same production (which originated in Manchester) to London and the big screen. Branagh also helmed THE PLAY WHAT I WROTE on Broadway in 2003. The five-time Oscar nominee has directed and starred in several film adaptations of Shakespeare's plays, including HENRY V, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, OTHELLO, HAMLET, LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST and AS YOU LIKE IT. Branagh just launched his New Theatre Company, The Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company, with THE WINTER'S TALE, starring Judi Dench. He recently helmed Disney's live-action adaptation of CINDERELLA with Lily James and is known for his roles in the second HARRY POTTER film, MY WEEK WITH MARILYN (in which he portrayed Sir Laurence Olivier), and the TV series WALLANDER.
Photo by Walter McBride
See you bright and early tomorrow, BroadwayWorld!
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