Brenda Russell

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Brenda Russell Productions

 
[Broadway, 2005] [Replacement]
Composer/Lyricist[Replacement]

Writing

Composer
Lyricist

Brenda Russell Movies

American Hot Wax
[ 1978 ] Member of The Delights
Liberty Heights
[ 1999 ] Singer
The Color Purple
[ 2023 ] music and lyrics by

Brenda Russell Awards and Nominations

Tony Awards - 2006 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Brenda Russell, The Color Purple

Brenda Russell Videos

Brenda Russell News


Pittsburgh CLO Announces WEST SIDE STORY And More For 2024 Summer Season

Pittsburgh CLO has your summer mapped out promising an array of captivating productions across the city's Cultural District. Pittsburgh CLO continues their long-standing commitment of creating Broadway caliber shows made by Pittsburgh, for Pittsburgh, and in partnership with Pittsburgh.

Rehearsals Now In Progress For Theater Latté Da Production Of THE COLOR PURPLE Opening In March

THEATER LATTÉ DA begins rehearsals for THE COLOR PURPLE, the Broadway musical adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, opening on March 23, 2024.

Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival Presents An Emotional Journey of Resilience and Love in THE COLOR PURPLE

The musical adaptation of Alice Walker's The Color Purple, featuring a book by Marsha Norman and music & lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis, and Stephen Bray, directed by Amina Robinson running July 17 to August 4 on the Main Stage.

THE COLOR PURPLE Movie Musical Sets Max Streaming Premiere Date

Warner Bros. Pictures’ THE COLOR PURPLE movie musical will make its streaming debut on Max next week. Produced by Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Scott Sanders, and Quincy Jones, the film is a bold new take on the classic story of love and resilience, adapted from the beloved novel and the Broadway musical.

Review: THE COLOR PURPLE at Garden Theater

A show about domestic violence and oppression doesn’t sound like a cheery night at the theater. Here’s what makes the show work: the music and lyrics, especially in the opening three numbers, are about as uplifting as one can get in a show and secondly, there are opportunities for redemption for every character

Watch the First 10 Minutes of THE COLOR PURPLE With Whoopi Goldberg, 'Mysterious Ways' & More

The first 10 minutes of The Color Purple have been released, featuring Whoopi Goldberg's cameo and the opening number, 'Mysterious Ways.' The video also features Tamela Mann, Halle Bailey, David Alan Grier, Phylicia Pearl Mpasi, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, and Deon Cole. It opens with Bailey and Mpasi singing 'Huckleberry Pie' as Celie and Nettie.

Theater Latté Da Unveils Creative Team For THE COLOR PURPLE

THEATER LATTÉ DA presents the Broadway musical adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, The Color Purple, opening on March 23, 2024 in partnership with Geva Theatre.

How to Watch THE COLOR PURPLE at Home With Hours of Bonus Footage

The digital and physical releases will include hours of bonus features, including a behind the scenes look at turning Alice Walker's novel into a musical. The dozens of features will also have three featurettes with director Blitz Bazawule, producer Orpah Winfrey, the filmmakers and the star-studded cast. Find out how you can watch at home!

Video: Watch Fantasia's 'Superpower (I)' Music Video From THE COLOR PURPLE

Superpower (I) features a tour de force performance by Fantasia, the film's central star. Written and produced by lauded hitmaker The-Dream (Rhianna, Beyoncé, Mariah Carey), the song unites all the emotion of the film into a powerful crescendo and has been shortlisted for Oscar consideration. Watch the new music video now!

AIN'T MISBEHAVIN' Comes to Laguna Playhouse

Laguna Playhouse presents the first show of the new year with the roof-raising musical revue, AIN'T MISBEHAVIN', music by Thomas “Fats” Waller. Learn more about the upcoming performance here!

LaChanze Speaks Up About THE COLOR PURPLE Royalties For 'I'm Here'; Says She 'Was a Huge Part at Writing' the Song

LaChanze is speaking up about the mark she made on The Color Purple musical. The actress and producer, who won a Tony Award for playing the role of Celie in the original Broadway production, states that she added lyrics to 'I'm Here.'

THE COLOR PURPLE Tops Christmas Day Box Office With $18 Million Debut; Ties With LES MISERABLES

The Color Purple topped the Christmas Day box office with a $18 million debut. The film's debut was 'much bigger' than was anticipated, tying with 2012's Les Miserables film for Christmas Day grosses in movie theaters. The film stars Fantasia Barrino, Danielle Brooks, Taraji P. Henson, Corey Hawkins, H.E.R., Colman Domingo, and more.

A Guide to THE COLOR PURPLE Musical Songs: What Was Cut & Added For the New Movie Musical

The Color Purple movie musical features several new songs with music and lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray. With the additional of new material, some of the songs from the stage production have been cut. Check out a guide to new and old songs from The Color Purple on Broadway and on screen below!

Review Roundup: THE COLOR PURPLE Movie Musical Starring Fantasia Barrino, Danielle Brooks & More; What Did the Critics Think?

Read the reviews for The Color Puprle movie musical! It stars Fantasia Barrino and Danielle Brooks reprising the roles that they previously played on Broadway, plus Taraji P. Henson, Halle Bailey, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Phylicia Pearl Mpasi, and more. Find out what critics thought of Oprah Winfrey's new film now!

Photos: See Danielle Brooks, Taraji P. Henson & More in THE COLOR PURPLE Movie Musical

The new stills feature updated looks at Danielle Brooks, Taraji P. Henson, Fantasia Barrino, Corey Hawkins, H.E.R., Colman Domingo, Halle Bailey, Louis Gossett Jr., and more with director Blitz Bazawule in The Color Purple. Check out photos of songs like 'What About Love,' 'Push Da Button,' 'Dear God - Shug,' and 'She Be Mine' now!

Photos: Inside THE COLOR PURPLE Premiere With Oprah Winfrey, Ariana DeBose & More

Attendees included the cast of The Color Purple, including Danielle Brooks, Taraji P. Henson, Colman Domingo, Halle Bailey, Ciara, H.E.R., and Phylicia Pearl Mpasi. Also present were Oprah Winfrey, Stephen Spielberg, Alicia Keys, Tyler Perry, Storm Reid, Ariana DeBose, Fatima Robinson, and more. Check out photos!

Photos: THE COLOR PURPLE Character Posters Show New Look at Colman Domingo, Danielle Brooks & More

Ahead of the release of the The Color Purple, check out new character poster photos for the musical movie, featuring Taraji P. Henson as Shug Avery, Phylicia Pearl Mpasi as Young Celie, H.E.R. as Squeak, Colman Domingo as Mister, Corey Hawkins as Harpo, Halle Bailey as Young Nettie, Danielle Brooks as Sofia, and Fantasia Barrino as Celie.

THE COLOR PURPLE Movie Cuts 'African Homeland,' 'Our Prayer' & More Songs

The song list for the upcoming The Color Purple movie musical has revealed what songs from the stage version have been cut for the adaptation. Songs like 'Somebody Gonna Love You,' 'Our Prayer,' 'Big Dog,' 'Dear God - Sofia,' 'Brown Betty,' 'Uh-Oh,' 'African Homeland,' have been cut from the movie. Find out the full list now!

Oprah Will Go Behind THE COLOR PURPLE Movie Musical In New Max Documentary

The Max Original documentary, provides a behind-the-scenes look into the making of the upcoming movie musical reimagining of “The Color Purple.” Oprah Winfrey will take viewers inside the four-decade phenomenon, exploring the importance of the novel, films and musical, and the ever-evolving conversation around this seminal work.

THE COLOR PURPLE Soundtrack to Feature Music By Alicia Keys, Jennifer Hudson & More

The album will feature songs from the musical sung by Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, Halle Bailey, H.E.R., Phylicia Pearl Mpasi, and Fantasia Barrino. The album will also feature Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige, Jennifer Hudson, Megan Thee Stallion, Coco Jones, Keyshia Cole, Usher, Missy Elliott, and more.

Brenda Russell FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Brenda Russell written?

Brenda Russell has written 1 shows including The Color Purple (Composer).

What awards has Brenda Russell been nominated for?

Brenda Russell has been nominated for the Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre at the Tony Awards for The Color Purple.

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