Casting Complete for The Color Purple, Starring Jennifer Hudson & Cynthia Erivo, on Broadway

Broadway's The Color Purple is ready to "Push Da Button!" Broadway vets Grasan Kingsberry, Kevyn Morrow and more will complete casting for the revival. Starring the previously reported Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson, Cynthia Erivo and Danielle Brooks, the John Doyle-helmed musical will begin performances on November 10. Opening night is scheduled for December 10 at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre.

Joining Kingsberry (original cast of The Color Purple in 2005) and Morrow (A Chorus Line) will be Dwayne Clark (Spiderman), Lawrence Clayton (Bells Are Ringing), Carrie Compere (Holler If Ya Hear Me), Bre Jackson (Book of Mormon), Ken Robinson (Memphis), Antoine L. Smith (Memphis) and Rema Webb (The Lion King). Phoenix Best, Patrice Covington, Adrianna Hicks, Carla R. Stewart and Akron Watson will make their Broadway debuts in the production.

The Color Purple features a book by Marsha Norman, lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray and music by Russell and Willis. Based on the novel by Alice Walker, the tuner tells the story of Celie (Erivo), a woman who, through love, finds the strength to triumph over adversity and discovers her voice in the world. Hudson will take on the role of Shug Avery and Brooks will play Sofia.

Doyle’s stripped-down production opened at the Menier Chocolate Factory in London on July 15, 2013, starring Erivo. The new staging cuts approximately 30 minutes of material from the original incarnation and its producers include Oprah Winfrey.

Other principals previously announced also include Kyle Scatliffe, Isaiah Johnson and Joaquina Kalukango.