Michelle Williams of R&B group Destiny’s Child is joining the Chicago production of “The Color Purple,” the producers announced Tuesday.
Williams will play the role of Shug Avery, a sexy blues singer.The stage version of Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel will open in Chicago on April 17. It also is still playing on Broadway.
Several of the stars of the New York production — including Jeannette Bayardelle, who plays the lead character of Celie, and Felicia P. Fields, who received a Tony nomination for her portrayal of the feisty Sofia — are joining the tour in Chicago.
The large cast, including Williams, appeared at a media event at the Cadillac Palace Theatre. Bayardelle and Fields both performed numbers from the show.
Producer Scott Sanders said casting Williams as Shug Avery seemed like a natural choice because Shug is the one character in the musical who has “seen the world.” READ MORE AT ABC>>
And she definitely has seen the world being the third wheel in Destiny’s Child. But I’m glad Michelle is getting the chance to be the sex kitten these days, plus I think she’ll be able to carry out the famous line – “YOU SHO IS UGGLY!!”
This is so good for Michelle because she’ll be playing a woman that is an exact opposite. Good for her!
I can not picture her as Shug Avery.
Congrats to her! Hopefully she’ll do well…
On a different note, have any of you seen Fantasia perform “I’m here” from The Color Purple on Oprah? She was AMAZING!
congrats to her!
I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE IT NOW, Michelle is going to tear it up, I can’t wait to hear her sing “Sister”, she is perfect for the role because Michelle is funny as hell!
YA’LL BE SLEEP ON MICHELLE’S VOICE, THAT GIRL CAN BLOW!!!! SHE GOT THE PERFECT AMOUNT OF RASPINESS AND SHE IS SO SOULFUL. IS SHE STILL WORKING WITH MATTHEW? SHE COULDNT BE… CUZ SHE DOING STUFF, BEYONCE DOING STUFF AND KELLY AINT DOIN NOTHING. BUT LIKE I SAID, MICHELLE HAS DRIVE AND TALENT, BEYONCE HAS DRIVE AND TALENT, KELLY NO DRIVE, JUST DEPENDENCY. WELL YOU BETTA TWORK IT CHELLE!!!! SHE GON MERC THAT SONG AT THE END!!!!!!!!!!! AND I LIVE IN CHICAGO!!!
Reading really is fundamental yall…
Michelle is in the Chicago version of the play. Fantasia is in the Broadway version in New York. Two different shows.
But, I just read another American Idol alum is in it. Anyone remember LaToya London? You can read about it here:
http://www.playbill.com/news/article/106093.html
Look at all the Michelle haters. I’m suprised Michelle has haters… she must be doing something right!!!
Alright, good for her!
I can’t wait to see this!
I ain’t hating at all, I just can’t picture her playing Shug. I have not seen the play, but I can’t picture her doing the part in the movie where Shug was shaking her stuff in the red dress in the jook joint. She might be good.
Madpet, trust! She can shake.
Fantasia was just on Oprah today and Oprah welcomed her to the cast of the Color Purple She will be playing Celie.I don’t know about her acting in a play but she sang the hell out of that song today there wasn’t a dry eye in that studio.
Yes, Miss Fantasia sang the hell outta that song…cause she can sing!
This chick bores the hell out of me! EW!
Ummmmmm…..I just dont’ see this. I never really understood how she even became a member of DC compared to Beyonce and Kelly she just didn’t look like she fit. I also don’t think she can sing very well. I remember when Survivor came out and I was all excited about hearing the new girl do her part and when I heard it I rememer thinking WTF!!!! I am sorry but I have to co-sign with everyone who commented about that role being a very sexy role and about having a good voice and she is neither sexy or does she have a good voice. I think they should have chosen someone else. But, at least we know our girl FANTASIA is gonna do the damn thing!
I am very happy for her.
I don’t believe she has a good voice, but she should be able to pull this off esp. if her acting is on point. Maybe she can garner a Tony (is that the right award?) I wish the show would travel so I can see it.
I thought Fantasia was playing Celie. Am I wrong?
I think Michelle has the voice and the humor to pull off this role. But, I saw the play when it first opened in NY and I don’t see Michelle doing the nudity that the role requires.
#78, the show is traveling. Like many pointed out, Michelle and Latoya London are in the touring production. Fantasia is in the Broadway production. The touring cast that includes Michelle which opens in Chicago, will travel to theatres in San Fransico, LA, Baltimore and other cities not yet announced.
Thx Tanna!
Co-sign with #77. I never understood HOW she became part of CD! Still trying to figure that one out. She never fit in, and she always looked out of place and uncomfrotable!
Anyway, I can’t imagine her playing Shug. Definitely Ms. Cely, but not Shug. SHM.
^^Oops, I meant DC (Destiny’s Child). My bad.
It seems to me that a lot of you have NEVER really HEARD Michelle actually sing! She has the perfect tone, range, & pitch to do Shug Avery! To solididy my point listen to Michelle’s part on “is she the reason?” from DC’s LAST album! That is exactly how Shug would sound in todays digitally recorded (notice I didn’t say enhanced) music world. She is actually quite beautiful & sexy but we must remember that DC is about Beyonce not Michelle or Kelly so they are supporting casts members not stars! Go Michelle, I will make a special trip to see you in Chicago for the premier because you TRULY deserve the role! I am proud of you Sista!!! Can’t wait to hear you sing Celie’s Blues!!!
Good for her its’ truw there is life after beyonce’s child-i mean Destiny Child……..this is pocket change compared to Dreamgirls….Anyways good job least she doing something (unlike kelly)
I saw the play (go see it! it was brilliant) and I LOVE the original actress who played this role. I don’t think anyone will ever do it any better. She was perfect.
I haven’t seen the movie (yes, gasp shock scream! and I haven’t read the book yet either, yes I am behind) so I can’t comment on the film actress portrayal.
I wish you nothing but the best. Everyone tried to play Michelle because she’s not “Beyonce”, but she stuck through. Now it’s her time to shine. You deserve it girl!
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