Alice Walker News

Artistic Director Kelly Thornton and Managing Director Beth Brown have announced Nightwood Theatre's 2016-2017 season. In our 37th season we have assembled a full playbill representing some of the most dynamic female voices working in theatre today. Nightwood is proud to support and partner with the ever-burgeoning community of independent artists that are developing high caliber contemporary theatre.

The 2016 Illuminate Film Festival, which takes place June 1 – 5 in Sedona announced today the official line up of films for the 3rd annual event. The only film festival of its kind, the Illuminate Film Festival offers a collection of over 20 feature length and short films from around the world, exploring the year's best in conscious cinema, as well as eye opening and thought provoking panels and conversations that will expand minds and inspire dialogue.

The Film Society of Lincoln Center and African Film Festival, Inc. announce the lineup for the 23rd New York African Film Festival, May 4-10.

The Alliance Theatre has announced its a final extension of the smash hit, ETHEL, written by and starring accomplished Atlanta performer Terry Burrell. ETHEL is a glimpse into the magnificent and very complicated life of the legendary stage and film star ETHEL Waters. ETHEL will close the Alliance's Hertz Stage season at the Alliance Theatre. The show was scheduled to close on April 17, and had already extended once to April 24. This is a final extension and the show MUST CLOSE on May 1, 2016.

Beginning performances Tuesday, May 10, Tony and Grammy Award winner HEATHER HEADLEY will assume the role of Shug Avery in John Doyle's critically acclaimed production of the Broadway musical, THE COLOR PURPLE. This is Ms. Headley's first appearance on Broadway since winning the 2000 Tony Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical for her performance in Aida.

Danielle Brooks stopped by last night's LATE NIGHT and explained how her Broadway musical inspired her to pursue acting.

An all-new THEATER TALK showcases the acclaimed Broadway revival of the musical The Color Purple, based on the novel by Alice Walker, now at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre.  Guests are director John Doyle and the show's powerful leading ladies - Jennifer Hudson ("Shug"), Cynthia Erivo ("Celie") and Danielle Brooks ("Sofia").

THE COLOR PURPLE recorded its official Broadway cast album in December, and it is available online and in stores today, February 19, released by Broadway Records. The album is produced by six-time Grammy Award winner Frank Filipetti. 

The Alliance/Kendeda National Graduate Playwriting Competition continues to spotlight the best emerging playwrights with a full production for the competition winner and staged readings for four competition finalists. START DOWN, the 12th competition winner, will premiere on the Hertz Stage February 13 - March 6, 2016. Opening night is tonight, February 18, 2016.

THE COLOR PURPLE recently recorded its official cast album, which will be released by Broadway Records on February 19 and can be pre-ordered at Amazon.com and atwww.BroadwayRecords.com. Directed by Tony Award winner John Doyle, the production stars Cynthia Erivo, Jennifer Hudson, and Danielle Brooks- all making their Broadway debuts. The company just got together for a listening party and BroadwayWorld was there to celebrate. Check out photos from the special night below!

THE COLOR PURPLE recently recorded its official cast album, which was released by Broadway Records last month and can be purchased at Amazon.com and at www.BroadwayRecords.com. Directed by Tony Award winner John Doyle, the production stars Cynthia Erivo, Jennifer Hudson, and Danielle Brooks- all making their Broadway debuts. The company just got together for a listening party and BroadwayWorld was there to celebrate. Check out photos from the special night below!

The actors are joined by composer/lyricist Brenda Russell and producer Scott Sanders in a discussion moderated by activist writer Michaela Angela Davis.

The Alliance/Kendeda National Graduate Playwriting Competition continues to spotlight the best emerging playwrights with a full production for the competition winner and staged readings for four competition finalists.  Start Down, the 12th competition winner, will premiere on the Hertz Stage February 13 - March 6, 2016.  Opening night is February 18, 2016. 

As 2015 comes to a close, BroadwayWorld takes one last look at this season's brightest moments before the curtain comes down, showcasing what readers - and audiences - loved most. Below, check out the curtain call highlights on Broadway from 2015!

In the sneak peeks below, Oprah sat down with Danielle Brooks, as well as her castmates Jennifer Hudson and Cynthia Erivo, to discuss how the experience has affected her life and Hudson explains why she couldn't imagine three women who fit together better.

Get ready for an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the highly anticipated, newly imagined Broadway revival of the hit musical THE COLOR PURPLE as OWN: OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK presents the primetime television event OPRAH GOES TO BROADWAY: The Color Purple tonight, December 19 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. Watch a sneak peek below!

Hudson shared that while she feels sad the long-running FOX singing competition is coming to an end, she hopes to make an appearance in the final season.

THE COLOR PURPLE, which opened last night to ecstatic reviews, will record its official cast album this Monday, December 14, 2015.  The new Broadway cast recording will be released by Broadway Records on January 29, 2016and can pre-ordered at Amazon.com and at www.BroadwayRecords.com.  The album is being produced by six-time Grammy Award winner Frank Filipetti.

The new Broadway revival of THE COLOR PURPLE opened just last night, December 10, at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre (242 W 45th Street). Grammy, Academy Award, and Golden Globe award winner Jennifer Hudson makes her Broadway debut opposite Cynthia Erivo, the breakout star of John Doyle's acclaimed Menier Chocolate Factory production, and Orange is the New Black's Danielle Brooks, in the highly anticipated production of The Color Purple. All three women are make their Broadway debuts. BroadwayWorld was there for the unforgettable night and you can go inside the first official curtain call below!