Broadway's Color Purple Revival Announces Additional Lead Casting

The musical returns to New York with a cast led by British actress Cynthia Erivo, Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson, and ”Orange Is the New Black” star Danielle Brooks.

Joaquina Kalukango will play Nettie in the upcoming Broadway revival of The Color Purple.
Joaquina Kalukango will play Nettie in the upcoming Broadway revival of The Color Purple.
(© David Gordon)

Further casting has been revealed for the upcoming Broadway revival of The Color Purple, to be directed by Tony winner John Doyle at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre.

Joining the previously announced Cynthia Erivo (as Celie), Oscar and Grammy winner Jennifer Hudson (as Shug Avery), and Danielle Brooks (as Sofia) are Isaiah Johnson (The Merchant of Venice) as Mister, Joaquina Kalukango (The Wild Party) as Nettie, and Kyle Scatliffe (Les Misérables) as Harpo. Additional company members will be announced in the coming months.

Adapted from the novel of the same name by Alice Walker, The Color Purple features a book by Marsha Norman with music and lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis, and Stephen Bray. It tells the story of a woman named Celie as she navigates her life in rural Georgia in the early 1900s. The original Broadway production opened in 2005 with LaChanze, who won a Tony for her performance in the leading role of Celie. American Idol alum Fantasia Barrino, among other actresses, also took on the part.

The production, which originated at London's Menier Chocolate Factory in 2013, is set to begin performances November 9, with opening night set for Thursday, December 3.

For more information and tickets, click here.

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