NewsJennifer Hudson, Cynthia Erivo and Co. Celebrate New Color Purple Album With Exclusive Listening PartyTake a look at Jennifer Hudson, Cynthia Erivo, Danielle Brooks and the cast The Color Purple revival celebrating the release of their new cast album. Everyone came together for a special listening party Feb. 11 at The W Hotel Times Square.
Based on Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel about a young woman who overcomes oppression and violence in her own home to discover her true self, The Color Purple features Grammy, Academy Award and Golden Globe Award winner Hudson as Shug Avery opposite Erivo, star of John Doyle's acclaimed Menier Chocolate Factory production in London, as Celie, and "Orange is the New Black" star Danielle Brooks as Sofia.
This pared-down revival, which was first seen at London's Menier Chocolate Factory, was directed and designed by Tony winner Doyle (The Visit, Sweeney Todd, Company).
The musical, which was first seen on Broadway in 2005, was adapted for the stage by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner Marsha Norman, with music and lyrics by Grammy Award winners Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray. It ran 917 performances.
The show has scenic design by Doyle, costume design by Ann Hould-Ward, lighting design by Jane Cox, sound design by Gregory Clarke, hair and wig design by Charles G. LaPointe, music supervision by Catherine Jayes, music direction by Jason Michael Webb and casting by Telsey + Company/Justin Huff, CSA.
The Fred Ebb Award recognizes excellence in musical theatre songwriting, by a songwriter or songwriting team that has not yet achieved significant commercial success.