Jennifer Holliday News

Tony Award winner Jennifer Holliday makes her first appearance on THEATER TALK in a revelatory conversation about the creation of her career-making Broadway role as 'Effie' in the now-legendary Michael Bennett's production of Dreamgirls (1981-83), as well as her more recent 'major acting class' - the month-long rehearsal period with director John Doyle as he prepared her to take over the role of 'Shug Avery' in the current Broadway revival of The Color Purple.

Tony Award winner Jennifer Holliday makes her first appearance on THEATER TALK in a revelatory conversation about the creation of her career-making Broadway role as 'Effie' in the now-legendary Michael Bennett's production of Dreamgirls (1981-83), as well as her more recent 'major acting class' - the month-long rehearsal period with director John Doyle as he prepared her to take over the role of 'Shug Avery' in the current Broadway revival of The Color Purple.

Beginning performances tonight, November 15, Nathaniel Stampley will assume the role of Mister in John Doyle's Tony Award-winning production of the Broadway musical, The Color Purple.

The New Victory Theater, a leading presenter of Theater for Young Audiences, is presenting a special invitational reading of The Great Blueness, a new musical with book, music and lyrics by Andrew Gerle (Meet John Doe) on Thursday, November 10, 2016, as part of the 2016-17 New Victory LabWorks Artists series.

Below, watch the actress speak with USA Today about the iconic role, as well as footage of her amazing performance.

Today's big news: Mike Daisey's THE TRUMP CARD streams live from Town Hall this evening, Todrick Hall struts into KINKY BOOTS, and Sheryl Lee Ralph lands in WICKED tonight!

The Tony Award-winning revival of THE COLOR PURPLE will play its final performance on Broadway on Sunday, January 8, 2017. Upon closing, the production will have played 449 regular and 33 preview performances at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre (242 W 45th Street). A North American tour of the production will launch in the fall of 2017.

Beginning performances Tuesday, November 15, Nathaniel Stampley will assume the role of Mister in John Doyle's Tony Award-winning production of the Broadway musical, THE COLOR PURPLE. Isaiah Johnson, who originated the role, will give his final performance on Sunday, November 13.

Tony and Grammy Award winner Jennifer Holliday has stepped into the role of Shug Avery in John Doyle's Tony Award-winning production of the Broadway musical, The Color Purple. She replaces Heather Headley, who took her final bow on October 2. 

Today's big news: VIETGONE opens this evening at Manhattan Theatre Club, and David Bowie & Enda Walsh's LAZARUS starts tonight in London!

Hottest Articles on BroadwayWorld.com from this weekend Sunday, October 16, 2016 - Sunday, October 16, 2016.

It is 7:04pm on a Thursday. To the average audience member of THE COLOR PURPLE, the most important person waiting backstage is one of the above-the-title stars (Cynthia Erivo, Jennifer Holliday or Danielle Brooks). But those in the industry know that, at this particular moment, the most important person is a woman sitting stage right in front of three monitors. That woman, with a headset on and binder in front of her, is Stage Manager Sharika Niles. She is the one who will soon give the word to start the show. She is the one who tonight is in charge of 'calling the show.' She is the one who will dictate the show the audience sees by giving the word for a spotlight, sound effect, set movement, etc..

Sonia Friedman Productions is delighted to release more tickets for the long-awaited UK premiere of Dreamgirls.  With the first few weeks selling out fast, the new booking period will extend performances at the Savoy Theatre until 6 May 2017. These tickets will go on sale at 10am on Friday 14 October 2016.

Beginning performances Tuesday, November 15, CARRIE COMPERE will assume the role of Sofia in John Doyle's Tony Award-winning production of the Broadway musical, THE COLOR PURPLE.  Tony nominee DANIELLE BROOKS, who originated the role, will give her final performance on Sunday, November 13.

Amber Riley dropped in on The Graham Norton Show this week in support of her upcoming West End turn as Effie White in the first ever UK production of the 1980's classic musical, Dreamgirls. Watch the video below to catch one of the first glimpses of the production as Ms. Riley slays the iconic ballad, 'And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going'.

Tony and Grammy Award winner Jennifer Holliday has stepped into the role of Shug Avery in John Doyle's Tony Award-winning production of the Broadway musical, The Color Purple. She replaces Heather Headley, who took her final bow on October 2.

Check out the brand new artwork for the UK's first ever West End production of the musical theatre classic, Dreamgirls. In the picture. the show's stars, including Glee star, Amber Riley strike a pose in gold gowns and 60's style up do's. 

The long-awaited UK premiere of Dreamgirls has preview performances at the Savoy Theatre from 19 November and Opening Night on Wednesday 14 December 2016. On Monday October 3rd, Sonia Friedman Productions were delighted to assemble the full company for the first day of rehearsals.

???????As BroadwayWorld previously reported, beginning tomorrow, October 4, Tony and Grammy Award winner Jennifer Holliday will assume the role of Shug Avery inJohn Doyle's Tony Award-winning production of the Broadway musical,The Color Purple. She replaces Heather Headley, who took her final bow yesterday, October 2.

Today's big news: The new FREAKY FRIDAY musical begins tonight in D.C., PLENTY, starring Rachel Weisz, starts at The Public, VIETGONE begins previews at MTC, TICK, TICK...BOOM! returns Off-Broadway, and CAMELOT, featuring Robert Sean Leonard, launches in Westport!