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Melba Moore

Birth Place: New York, NY, USA

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STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1987
Fantine [Replacement]

[Replacement]

[Broadway]
Unknown, 1981
Inacent Black


[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1978
Marsinah


[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1970
Lutiebelle


[Broadway]
Broadway Transfer, 1968
Sheila [Replacement]

Dionne

Sheila [Replacement]

Dionne

Sheila (Understudy) [Replacement]

(Unknown) [Replacement]

(Unknown) [Replacement]

(Unknown) [Replacement]

(Unknown) [Replacement]

(Unknown) [Replacement]

(Unknown) [Replacement]

[US Tour]
National Tour, 2006
Paradice


Movies

The Sidelong Glances of a Pigeon Kicker
[ 1970 ] Model at Party
Lost in the Stars
[ 1974 ] Irina
Hair
[ 1979 ] 3-5-0-0 Soloist
All Dogs Go to Heaven
[ 1989 ] Whippet Angel
Def by Temptation
[ 1990 ] Madam Sonya
The Fighting Temptations
[ 2003 ] Bessie Cooley
Hip Hop Holiday
[ 2019 ] Granny Fran

TV Shows

The Love Boat
Shelley Rush, Claudette Plummer
Alisa and Mahogany
Lori Shockman

Awards and Nominations


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1970 - Outstanding Performance

Melba Moore, Purlie


winner
Theatre World Awards - 1970 - Performance

Melba Moore, Purlie


winner
Tony Awards - 1970 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical

Melba Moore , Purlie

Videos

News


Woodie King, Jr., Founder of New Federal Theatre, Passes Away at 88
by Gillian Blum - Jan 31, 2026

Producer, director, and New Federal Theatre founder Woodie King Jr. passed away at 88 on January 29 following complications from emergency heart surgery.
TWO STRANGERS (CARRY A CAKE ACROSS NEW YORK) Star Christiani Pitts Joins STAGE FRIGHT At Red Eye This Month
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 13, 2026

Christiani Pitts, known for her roles on Broadway and TV, will join the weekly talk show STAGE FRIGHT at Red Eye NY on January 14, hosted by Marti Gould Cummings.
Melba Moore Joins STAGE FRIGHT at Red Eye NY
by Stephi Wild - Jan 7, 2026

Melba Moore will join STAGE FRIGHT, hosted by Out100's Marti Gould Cummings with Drama Desk Nominee Yaz Fukuoka on the keys. Join in this Wednesday as they chat about Moore's illustrious career.
Choreographer, Playwright, Director, And Teacher LaVerne Reed Has Passed Away
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 11, 2025

The DC theatre community and artists across the United States are mourning the loss of  the visionary musical theatre and choreography genius, LaVerne Reed. A student of Maria “Libby” Hill (Apollo Theatre, Nicholas Brothers) Reed began her arts exploration as a young girl, eventually landing at The Juilliard School and later Howard University.
The Iconic Rock Musical HAIR Shines Anew in a Grand Brazilian Revival
by Claudio Erlichman - Nov 13, 2025

The iconic rock musical Hair is back in a bold new Brazilian production directed by Charles Möeller and Claudio Botelho. Opening at São Paulo’s BTG Pactual Hall, the show celebrates the spirit of the 1960s counterculture — peace, love, and rebellion — through powerful anthems like Aquarius and Let the Sunshine In. With a cast of 30 led by Rodrigo Simas and Eduardo Borelli, this vibrant staging fuses rock, poetry, and raw emotion to explore freedom, identity, and protest in a turbulent era. Nearly six decades after its debut, Hair still pulses with youthful defiance and idealism, inviting audiences to sing, reflect, and feel the rhythm of a revolution that never truly ended.
Surprising Celebrities Who Began Their Careers in HAIR
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Oct 24, 2025

Diane Keaton made her Broadway debut in the original Broadway production of Hair at the age of 22. The landmark musical started out at the Public Theater off-Broadway in 1967 before transferring to the Biltmore Theatre on Broadway in 1968. Keaton joined the cast for the Broadway run, originating her track in the show.
Photos: JIM CARUSO'S CAST PARTY Welcomes Cabaret Legend Marilyn Maye and More
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 10, 2025

From the impossibly young Yair Keydar to the legendary nonagenarian Marilyn Maye, the performers at this week’s Jim Caruso’s Cast Party spanned generations—and musical styles. Check out photos from the show!
Melba Moore to Release Memoir in November
by Gillian Blum - Sep 28, 2025

Tony Award winner and three-time Grammy nominee Melba Moore's memior, 'This Is It – Marvelous...And Getting Better,' will be available on Amazon Books in November.
AN EVENING WITH MELBA MOORE Comes to Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe
by Stephi Wild - Sep 17, 2025

Next month, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe will present 'An  Evening with Melba Moore,' featuring the legendary singer, actress and entertainer. Learn more here!
Interview: Cartreze Tucker of BACK TO THE FUTURE: THE MUSICAL at The Fox Theatre
by Joseph Harrison - Sep 15, 2025

Georgia native Cartreze Tucker returns home as Goldie Wilson and Marvin Berry in the national tour of BACK TO THE FUTURE: THE MUSICAL, which is opening production of the 2025 – 2026 Regions Bank Broadway in Atlanta season and plays at The Fox Theatre September 23 - 27.
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe Opens 2025-2026 Theatre Season With PURLIE
by Stephi Wild - Sep 11, 2025

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe has announced the first show in its 2025-2026 “Soul Of A People” theatre season: “Purlie.” Learn more about the upcoming production here!
Melba Moore Joins Long Island Musical Theatre Summer Lineup
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 17, 2025

Long Island Musical Theatre Festival (LIMTF) will return to Adelphi University's Performing Arts Center this summer, welcoming Broadway legend Melba Moore as its 2025 Broadway Guest Artist.
Review: Melba Moore Brings Her Own Brand of Cool to NYC at 54 Below
by Sharon Ellman - Jul 10, 2025

The Tony Award-winning songstress wows the crowd in FROM BROADWAY, WITH LOVE, continuing tonight 7/10 at 7 pm. This reviewer was completely mesmerized! What a night to remember! What a performer!
BroadwayWorld Cabaret Upcoming Show Roundup " July 7 to July 13, 2025
by Rebecca Kaplan - Jul 7, 2025

Plan your entertainment for the week with jazz, cabaret, comedy, and more! NYC has so many incredible events, but here are a few top picks to consider this week free outdoor concerts and Broadway, film and TV stars.
Lee Roy Reams and More to Perform at 54 Below Next Week
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 3, 2025

Next month, 54 BELOW will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond, including Lee Roy Reams and more. See the full lineup here!
Best Cabaret in July 2025: Laverne Cox, Adam Pascal, Anthony Rapp & More
by Rebecca Kaplan - Jul 1, 2025

See some of the biggest names performing at cabaret venues this month - at a range of budget points. See stars including the original Mark and Roger from RENT (Adam Pascal & Anthony Rapp), Laverne Cox, jazz stars, comedians and more.
Women Songwriters Hall of Fame Sets Fifth Anniversary Awards Gala
by Josh Sharpe - Jun 4, 2025

The Women Songwriters Hall of Fame will celebrate its milestone fifth anniversary with a two-day awards gala at the Mead Center for American Theatre in Washington, DC Friday and Saturday, June 20-21, 2025.
Darrian Ford Brings A RELUCTANT STAR To 54 Below In July
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 4, 2025

Broadway and recording artist Darrian Ford will bring his new show A Reluctant Star to 54 Below on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 at 9:30 p.m. The program explores themes of self-doubt, depression, and eventual self-acceptance through a mix of musical theater, jazz, and soul.
Tony Winner Melba Moore Sets Release of New Single 'No Filter'
by Josh Sharpe - May 14, 2025

Tony Award-winner Melba Moore has set the release of her latest single, “No Filter,' arriving on June 5th. Written by Angela Pettus and produced by George Pettus, the track highlights the theme of self-empowerment.
Norm Lewis, André De Shields, & More Nominated for 2025 MAC Awards - See the Full List
by Josh Sharpe - Mar 6, 2025

The Manhattan Association of Cabarets (MAC) has revealed the 39th Annual MAC Awards. Check out the full list of nominees, which includes Norm Lewis, André De Shield, and more!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Melba Moore been in?

Melba Moore has appeared on Broadway in 5 shows.

How many West End shows has Melba Moore been in?

Melba Moore has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Melba Moore been nominated for?

Outstanding Performance (Drama Desk Awards) for Purlie, Performance (Theatre World Awards) for Purlie and Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Purlie.

What awards has Melba Moore won?

Melba Moore has won several prestigious awards for her performance in Purlie. She received the Outstanding Performance award from the Drama Desk Awards, the Performance award from the Theatre World Awards, and the Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical award from the Tony Awards.

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