Here’s the new trailer for this fall’s revival of "The Color Purple" on Broadway. This new production premiered at London’s acclaimed Menier Chocolate Factory, where critics hailed it. Now, the American classic comes to Broadway with a powerhouse cast including celebrated London star Cynthia Erivo, who will recreate her acclaimed performance as Celie, along with “Orange is the New Black” star Danielle Brooks (Sofia), and Jennifer Hudson (Shug Avery). The show opens tonight at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre. Watch the trailer below; and underneath, you’ll find info on producer Oprah Winfrey’s "Oprah Goes To Broadway: The Color Purple" TV special, which airs this Saturday night on OWN.
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OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network announced today the primetime television event "Oprah Goes To Broadway: The Color Purple" featuring an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the highly anticipated, newly imagined Broadway revival of the hit musical "The Color Purple" airing Saturday, December 19 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on OWN.
The star-studded special will chronicle the Broadway debuts of Oscar and Grammy Award-winning actress Jennifer Hudson (Shug Avery), "Orange is the New Black" star Danielle Brooks (Sofia), playing the role made famous by Winfrey in the film, and British breakout star of the London premiere production Cynthia Erivo (Celie) as they each make their mark in one of the most eagerly awaited musicals of the season. Winfrey speaks with each of them about the impact "The Color Purple" has had on their lives, the journey each has taken to opening night and how they are each handling the pressures of preparing for their first Broadway show.
The special also features interviews with Tony Award-winning producer Scott Sanders and Tony Award-winning director John Doyle.
Winfrey, who received an Oscar nomination for her debut in the 1985 film adaptation of "The Color Purple," gives viewers a backstage pass into the re-launch of this Broadway musical and the hard work and hours of rehearsal the cast and crew put in to bring this new show to life. With unprecedented access, cameras capture intimate moments including when Winfrey surprises the cast at a rehearsal and when Winfrey brings a group of graduates from the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa, currently studying at prestigious universities and colleges around the U.S., to an early performance. The special features reflections from Danny Glover, who starred in the 1985 film and a rare conversation with Alice Walker, who authored the internationally acclaimed, Pulitzer Prize winning novel "The Color Purple."
Additionally, it includes exclusive interviews with award-winning actresses Lupita Nyong’o, Cicely Tyson and Phylicia Rashad who each share the impact "The Color Purple" has had on their lives as well as its influence on society today.
The holiday special will air almost 30 years to the day of the film’s theatrical release and chronicles the legacy and cultural significance of this groundbreaking story.
"Oprah Goes To Broadway: The Color Purple" was produced for OWN by RadicalMedia, executive produced by Jon Sinclair and Justin Wilkes and produced by Christine Earl, Michael Bonfiglio and Annetta Marion.
Watch a preview below:
