"Oh look at the time, three more intelligent plays just closed and THE ADDAMS FAMILY made another million dollars" -Jackie Hoffman, Broadway.com Audience Awards
Eh....the show covers a period of Shug's life when she's, what, 30s to 50s? Heather Hedley's 41. Jennifer Holiday's only 9 years older. if she can sing it (she can) and act it (I think so?) I'm down.
Okay tell me ONE person (on this board) who wouldn't actually go to see the show?
I sure af would. She's phenomenal. Heather's theatrics and vocals felt like they wouldn't suit the show either, but she made it work. And work magnificently. This is brilliant casting choice.
*insert customary "at least they didn't cast Todrick Hall" joke here*
Caption: Every so often there was a rare moment of perfect balance when I soared above him.
Oh, man, Heather Headley is stunning as Shug. My concern is that Holliday's over-the-top acting will clash with Erivo's delicate, nuanced, transcendent turn as Celie. Still, I think there's something exciting about this choice, Doyle is definitely taking a lot of risks with the people he's chosen to play Shug and so far they have paid off. With some rigor and restrain, Holliday will be spectacular.
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"
From Broadway.com article dated: October 17, 2014:
Jennifer Holliday Will Lead The Color Purple Tony winner Jennifer Holliday will headline a three-city-tour of The Color Purple. The Dreamgirls star revealed on her Facebook page that she’ll take on the role of Sofia in the tuner, starting performances next week in Detroit. This production is not to be confused with director John Doyle’s version, which is co-produced by Oprah, although of course we’d love to see Holliday leading that one too.
Well I think this is terrific. Shug isn't the hardest part to play.
Will she act it as well as Heather Headley? Heavens no... but I think her persona... a talent not quite as exceptional as it once was... a little too over the top for her own good... might add some interesting elements to the character.
The scenes between Shug and Celie will suffer a bit... but Cynthia really carries that arch on her own... I don't think it will diminish her performance any.
Any idea if Cynthia will extend? Any idea if the show will even make it to October?
I have to imagine Erivo's extending through Jan. 8 with the likelihood that the show closes that day as well. Unless the can get a big name to replace Erivo, I really can see the show surviving without her.
A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.