LaChanze
THE OUTSIDERS Coming to Louisville This August (Apr 23, 2026)
KIMBERLY AKIMBO Tour Will Play Final Performance in May; Recoups on Broadway and Tour (Apr 23, 2026)
Amir Arison, Ari'el Stachel and LaChanze to Join LOST IN DEL VALLE Talkback Series (Apr 8, 2026)
BIO
LaChanze's first summer job was as a tap dancer in the ensemble of Uptown... It's Hot! at the Tropicana Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The show opened on Broadway in January 1986, where LaChanze began her professional career in the theater.
LaChanze played the role of "Ti Moune" in the Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty musical Once on This Island in 1990 and received nominations for the Tony Award as Best Featured Actress in a Musical and Drama Desk Award as Outstanding Actress in a Musical. She was a replacement "Sarah" in the Ahrens and Flaherty and Terrence McNally Broadway musical Ragtime, starting in December 1998. She played the role of "Viveca" in the Playwrights Horizons Off-Broadway production of the musical The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin, which opened in June 2000. She received a Drama Desk nomination, Actress (Musical), for her performance. LaChanze participated in an Actors Fund of America benefit concert of Funny Girl, with many performers portraying the character of "Fanny Brice", in September 2002.
In 2005 she played a runaway slave in the Ahrens and Flaherty musical Dessa Rose. The musical opened Off-Broadway at the Mitzi Newhouse Theatre at Lincoln Center in March 2005. LaChanze received an Obie Award for Performance for Dessa Rose. LaChanze appeared as "Celie" in the Broadway musical The Color Purple, from its opening in 2005 to November 2006. She won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for this performance.
In September 2008 she participated in the Boston Pops concert, Handel's Messiah Rocks at Emerson College. The performance was filmed by Public Broadcasting Service. She was in the Off-Broadway production of Inked Baby, written by Christina Anderson, which opened in March 2009 at Playwrights Horizons Peter Jay Sharp Theater. In June and July 2009, she played the role of "Glinda" in the City Center Encores! staged Summer Stars concert production of The Wiz.
She published her first picture book, Little Diva, in 2010. She was in the Broadway production of If/Then in 2014, starring as Kate. In 2018, she was in Summer: The Donna Summer Musical on Broadway, playing Diva Donna/Mary Gaines. She is currently in A Christmas Carol on Broadway, starring as the Ghost of Christmas Present.
Photos
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STAGE CREDITS
Productions
TV Shows
President Rosa Freeman, Amber, Ms. Pivik
Sylvia
Julius's Wife
[ 2022-2024 ] Jenna Jones
Miss Emerald Grandma
Awards and Nominations
LaChanze, Trouble in Mind
LaChanze, Trouble in Mind
LaChanze, Trouble in Mind
LaChanze, The Secret Life of Bees
winner
LaChanze, The Secret Life of Bees
LaChanze, Summer
LaChanze, Summer: The Donna Summer Musical
LaChanze, Summer: The Donna Summer Musical
winner
LaChanze, If/Then
La Chanze, The Color Purple
winner
LaChanze, The Color Purple
winner
LaChanze, Dessa Rose
winner
La Chanze, The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin
winner
LaChanze, Once on This Island
LaChanze , Once on this Island
Videos
Video: Watch the Full Conversations with CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Cast and Crew From CBS Sunday Morning Segment
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-03-30 15:18:26
Video: Alvin Ailey Celebrates At Opening Night Gala Featuring Honorary Chair And Honored Guest Ciara
by A.A. Cristi - 2025-12-04 21:17:53
Video: Fabiola Caraballo Quijada and Chris Hayes Celebrate Jimmy Award Wins on GOOD MORNING AMERICA
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-06-25 10:21:31
Video: Adrienne Warren, Kecia Lewis, and More Celebrate Sisterhood at Black Women on Broadway Awards
by Survival Jobs - 2025-06-20 15:34:26
Video: Watch Joy Woods Sing 'I Could Have Danced All Night' at MCC MISCAST
by Michael Major - 2025-01-13 15:41:03
Video: Annaleigh Ashford & Josh Groban Sing 'The Phantom of the Opera' at MISCAST
by Michael Major - 2024-10-14 15:58:03
Video: Carolee Carmello and Miguel Gil Sing 'Now' at KIMBERLY AKIMBO Tour Sitzprobe
by Blair Ingenthron - 2024-09-01 10:37:54
Video: Joshua Boone Records 'Little Brother' from THE OUTSIDERS
by Blair Ingenthron - 2024-07-14 15:18:24
Video: Meet the Creators Behind the Tony-Nominated Shows of 2024
by Joey Mervis - 2024-06-14 15:35:25
Exclusive: Aisha Jackson is Getting Ready to Spotlight Black Excellence on Broadway
by Nicole Rosky - 2024-02-21 16:02:57
Video: Watch LaChanze Discuss Becoming a Broadway Producer on CBS SUNDAY MORNING
by Blair Ingenthron - 2024-02-18 10:17:21
Video: Stars Come Out to Celebrate Opening Night of PRAYER FOR THE FRENCH REPUBLIC
by Nicole Rosky - 2024-01-17 11:48:18
Video: Watch Denée Benton, Alan Cumming & More In GENIE Holiday Film Trailer Starring Melissa McCarthy
by Michael Major - 2023-11-01 12:54:54
VIDEO: KIMBERLY AKIMBO's Steven Boyer and Alli Mauzey Talk Food & Drinks Near the Theater
by Blair Ingenthron - 2023-10-15 14:19:54
Video: Stars Walk the Red Carpet on Opening Night of HERE LIES LOVE
by Red Carpet - 2023-07-24 10:34:10
Video: Arielle Jacobs, Lea Salonga, Jose Llana, and More Talk HERE LIES LOVE
by Blair Ingenthron - 2023-07-16 12:23:10
News
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 23, 2026
THE OUTSIDERS, winner of four 2024 Tony Awards including Best Musical, will play The Kentucky Center in Louisville for a limited engagement presented by PNC Broadway in Louisville.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 23, 2026
The National Tour of KIMBERLY AKIMBO will be making its final stop of the tour in New Haven, CT. The production will play May 14–17 at the Shubert Theatre before the curtain comes down on the national tour for good.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 8, 2026
A post-show talkback series for Lost in Del Valle at SoHo Playhouse, featuring Ari'el Stachel, Chris Stack, and LaChanze in conversation with director Amir Arison and performer Ned Van Zandt.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 7, 2026
Brandon Contreras and Ann Harada will co-host Prospect Musicals' 2026 Gala, to be held Monday, May 4th at The Edison Ballroom. The evening will include cocktails, dinner, and entertainment from special guests in honor of this year’s Muse Award recipients.
by Team BWW - Apr 1, 2026
Spring has sprung, and with it's arrival, comes new plays for theatre lovers of all kinds. Whether you live for intense dramas or would rather escape with zany comedies, there's something for everyone both on and off-Broadway in April 2026.
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 1, 2026
Nominations for the 41st Annual Lucille Lortel Awards – the only New York theatre award to exclusively honor Outstanding Achievement Off-Broadway – were announced by Amber Gray and Harvey Guillén. Check out the full list of nominees here!
by Josh Sharpe - Mar 30, 2026
To celebrate the reimagined Broadway production of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical CATS: The Jellicle Ball, the cast, crew, and dancers recently joined CBS Sunday Morning for a segment dedicated to the show. Watch the extended interviews now.
by Stephi Wild - Mar 30, 2026
A new block of tickets is now on sale for the new Broadway production of CATS: The Jellicle Ball. The production, which opens on Tuesday April 7 at the Broadhurst Theatre, is now on sale through September 6, 2026.
by Stephen Mosher - Mar 28, 2026
As usual, Jenn Colella has brought a not-to-be-missed show to 54 Below, where a Colella concert is appointment programming.
by Stephi Wild - Mar 26, 2026
The Outsiders has released a new block of single tickets for performances through January 31, 2027 at Broadway’s Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre. Learn more about how to get tickets here!
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 19, 2026
The Public Theater has announced initial casting for the Free Shakespeare in the Park production of ROMEO & JULIET at The Delacorte Theater in Central Park.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 17, 2026
Law Roach will make his Broadway producing debut with CATS: The Jellicle Ball. Inspired by the original CATS musical, The Jellicle Ball blends the iconic score with contemporary dance, fashion, and storytelling.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 17, 2026
Geffen Playhouse has unveiled five productions that will make up its 2026/2027 season lineup from Geffen Playhouse Artistic Director Tarell Alvin McCraney. The lineup will feature a mix of world, West Coast and Los Angeles premieres.
by Jennifer Broski - Mar 10, 2026
Roundabout Theatre Company hosted its 2026 Gala at the Ziegfeld Ballroom, honoring Emmy Award-winner Jean Smart. BroadwayWorld was there for the big night and you can check out photos below!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 10, 2026
The new Maltby & Shire musical revue About Time, with music by Academy Award and Grammy Award winner David Shire and lyrics by Tony Award winner Richard Maltby, Jr., opened officially at the historic Marjorie S. Deane Little Theater. See photos!
by Stephi Wild - Feb 26, 2026
Lena Waithe and Cynthia Erivo have joined the producing team of CATS: The Jellicle Ball on Broadway, which will begin performances this spring at the Broadhurst Theatre.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 23, 2026
New York Theatre Workshop's 2026 Gala will honor Academy Award nominee Colman Domingo, Tony Award-winning producer Mara Isaacs, and NAACP Image Award nominee Nicole Ari Parker.
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Feb 8, 2026
The Broadway production of Ragtime was a glorious accomplishment, a riveting testament to the original American musical and to all that America itself could be. The show ran for 834 performances at the Ford Center, closing in the final year of the 20th century. It was nominated for 13 Tony Awards, taking home four.
by Nicole Rosky - Feb 6, 2026
Black Theatre United (BTU) just announced the BTU Collective, a new wave of leadership within the organization. The BTU Collective is a dynamic collective of leaders, artists, and advocates committed to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion within the theater industry.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 28, 2026
Prospect Musicals will present its 2026 Gala, which will honor extraordinary members of the theater community through the fourth annual Muse Awards, including LaChanze, Lindsay Mendez and more.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
LaChanze has appeared on Broadway in 10 shows.
LaChanze has not appeared in the West End.
Distinguished Performance Awards (Drama League Awards) for Trouble in Mind, Outstanding Actress in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Trouble in Mind, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Trouble in Mind, Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for The Secret Life of Bees, Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Secret Life of Bees, Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Summer, Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, Best Featured Actress in a Musical (BroadwayWorld Awards) for If/Then, Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Color Purple, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for The Color Purple, Performance (Obie Awards) for Dessa Rose, Outstanding Actress - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin, Performance (Theatre World Awards) for Once on This Island and Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Once on this Island.
LaChanze has won several prestigious awards, including Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for The Secret Life of Bees, Best Featured Actress in a Musical at the BroadwayWorld Awards for If/Then, and Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for The Color Purple. Additionally, she received the Performance award at the Obie Awards for Dessa Rose, the Outstanding Actress in a Musical award at the Drama Desk Awards for The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin, and the Performance award at the Theatre World Awards for Once on This Island.
Videos