LaChanze
Black Joy Takes Center Stage at the Inaugural Black Broadway Nominee Soirée (Jun 8, 2026)
Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' PURPOSE Recoups (Jun 4, 2026)
KIMBERLY AKIMBO Is Now Available for Licensing Through MTI (Jun 4, 2026)
BIO
LaChanze's first summer job was as a tap dancer in the ensemble of Uptown... It's Hot! at the Tropicana Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The show opened on Broadway in January 1986, where LaChanze began her professional career in the theater.
LaChanze played the role of "Ti Moune" in the Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty musical Once on This Island in 1990 and received nominations for the Tony Award as Best Featured Actress in a Musical and Drama Desk Award as Outstanding Actress in a Musical. She was a replacement "Sarah" in the Ahrens and Flaherty and Terrence McNally Broadway musical Ragtime, starting in December 1998. She played the role of "Viveca" in the Playwrights Horizons Off-Broadway production of the musical The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin, which opened in June 2000. She received a Drama Desk nomination, Actress (Musical), for her performance. LaChanze participated in an Actors Fund of America benefit concert of Funny Girl, with many performers portraying the character of "Fanny Brice", in September 2002.
In 2005 she played a runaway slave in the Ahrens and Flaherty musical Dessa Rose. The musical opened Off-Broadway at the Mitzi Newhouse Theatre at Lincoln Center in March 2005. LaChanze received an Obie Award for Performance for Dessa Rose. LaChanze appeared as "Celie" in the Broadway musical The Color Purple, from its opening in 2005 to November 2006. She won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for this performance.
In September 2008 she participated in the Boston Pops concert, Handel's Messiah Rocks at Emerson College. The performance was filmed by Public Broadcasting Service. She was in the Off-Broadway production of Inked Baby, written by Christina Anderson, which opened in March 2009 at Playwrights Horizons Peter Jay Sharp Theater. In June and July 2009, she played the role of "Glinda" in the City Center Encores! staged Summer Stars concert production of The Wiz.
She published her first picture book, Little Diva, in 2010. She was in the Broadway production of If/Then in 2014, starring as Kate. In 2018, she was in Summer: The Donna Summer Musical on Broadway, playing Diva Donna/Mary Gaines. She is currently in A Christmas Carol on Broadway, starring as the Ghost of Christmas Present.
Photos
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STAGE CREDITS
Productions
TV Shows
President Rosa Freeman, Amber, Ms. Pivik
Sylvia
Julius's Wife
[ 2022-2024 ] Jenna Jones
Miss Emerald Grandma
Awards and Nominations
LaChanze, Trouble in Mind
LaChanze, Trouble in Mind
LaChanze, Trouble in Mind
LaChanze, The Secret Life of Bees
winner
LaChanze, The Secret Life of Bees
LaChanze, Summer
LaChanze, Summer: The Donna Summer Musical
LaChanze, Summer: The Donna Summer Musical
winner
LaChanze, If/Then
La Chanze, The Color Purple
winner
LaChanze, The Color Purple
winner
LaChanze, Dessa Rose
winner
La Chanze, The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin
winner
LaChanze, Once on This Island
LaChanze , Once on this Island
Videos
Video: Watch the Full Conversations with CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Cast and Crew From CBS Sunday Morning Segment
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-03-30 15:18:26
Video: Alvin Ailey Celebrates At Opening Night Gala Featuring Honorary Chair And Honored Guest Ciara
by A.A. Cristi - 2025-12-04 21:17:53
Video: Fabiola Caraballo Quijada and Chris Hayes Celebrate Jimmy Award Wins on GOOD MORNING AMERICA
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-06-25 10:21:31
Video: Adrienne Warren, Kecia Lewis, and More Celebrate Sisterhood at Black Women on Broadway Awards
by Survival Jobs - 2025-06-20 15:34:26
Video: Watch Joy Woods Sing 'I Could Have Danced All Night' at MCC MISCAST
by Michael Major - 2025-01-13 15:41:03
Video: Annaleigh Ashford & Josh Groban Sing 'The Phantom of the Opera' at MISCAST
by Michael Major - 2024-10-14 15:58:03
Video: Carolee Carmello and Miguel Gil Sing 'Now' at KIMBERLY AKIMBO Tour Sitzprobe
by Blair Ingenthron - 2024-09-01 10:37:54
Video: Joshua Boone Records 'Little Brother' from THE OUTSIDERS
by Blair Ingenthron - 2024-07-14 15:18:24
Video: Meet the Creators Behind the Tony-Nominated Shows of 2024
by Joey Mervis - 2024-06-14 15:35:25
Exclusive: Aisha Jackson is Getting Ready to Spotlight Black Excellence on Broadway
by Nicole Rosky - 2024-02-21 16:02:57
Video: Watch LaChanze Discuss Becoming a Broadway Producer on CBS SUNDAY MORNING
by Blair Ingenthron - 2024-02-18 10:17:21
Video: Stars Come Out to Celebrate Opening Night of PRAYER FOR THE FRENCH REPUBLIC
by Nicole Rosky - 2024-01-17 11:48:18
Video: Watch Denée Benton, Alan Cumming & More In GENIE Holiday Film Trailer Starring Melissa McCarthy
by Michael Major - 2023-11-01 12:54:54
VIDEO: KIMBERLY AKIMBO's Steven Boyer and Alli Mauzey Talk Food & Drinks Near the Theater
by Blair Ingenthron - 2023-10-15 14:19:54
Video: Stars Walk the Red Carpet on Opening Night of HERE LIES LOVE
by Red Carpet - 2023-07-24 10:34:10
Video: Arielle Jacobs, Lea Salonga, Jose Llana, and More Talk HERE LIES LOVE
by Blair Ingenthron - 2023-07-16 12:23:10
News
by Cynthia L. Dorsey - Jun 8, 2026
It’s Tony Award season and all the pre- and post-show gatherings are happening in real time, celebrating an amazing Broadway season. Among the who's who events of the season was the Black Broadway Nominee Soirée, held on Friday, June 5, hosted by three-time Tony Award-winning producer Lamar Richardson and his wife, Zaire Julion-Richardson.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 4, 2026
Purpose has officially recouped its $5.25 million capitalization. Recoupment was achieved with the aid of the New York State Tax Credit as well as the operating profits from Purpose's Broadway run.
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 4, 2026
Theatrical licensor Music Theatre International announced that Kimberly Akimbo, the winner of the most Tony Awards of the 2022–2023 season, including Best Musical, is now available for licensing.
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 1, 2026
Black Women on Broadway (BWOB) recently held its fifth annual awards celebration, honoring Debra Martin Chase, Whitney White, Alana Raquel Bowers, and Destiny Lilly for their contributions to the theater industry. The event was hosted by BWOB co-founders Danielle Brooks, Amber Iman, and Jocelyn Bioh.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 29, 2026
You can now get a first look at The Public Theater’s Free Shakespeare in the Park production of ROMEO & JULIET, directed by Associate Artistic Director/Resident Director Saheem Ali.
by Josh Sharpe - May 26, 2026
A new box set is collecting all of Donna Summer's solo albums that were released on Casablanca Records from 1975 to 1979. Donna Summer: The Casablanca Studio Albums will be available on 7CD or 10LP Colored Vinyl on October 2, 2026.
by Stephi Wild - May 18, 2026
The Outsiders North American Tour has recouped its capitalization of $11,000,000 after 29 weeks on the road. Learn more about the tour and how to get tickets to an upcoming stop here!
by A.A. Cristi - May 15, 2026
Chicago Shakespeare Theater announced its 40th Anniversary Season, featuring Shakespeare classics in repertory, a bilingual ROMEO Y JULIETA, the return of ILLINOISE, and the world premiere of HEARTBREAKERS.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 14, 2026
The Public Theater will kick off this summer’s Free Shakespeare in the Park season with ROMEO & JULIET, beginning performances at the newly revitalized Delacorte Theater in Central Park at the end of May.
by A.A. Cristi - May 13, 2026
Boston Conservatory at Berklee honored Grammy-nominated opera producer Beth Morrison and MOMIX founder Moses Pendleton with honorary doctorates at its commencement ceremony, where 246 graduates from around the world gathered at the Berklee Performance Center.
by Stephi Wild - May 13, 2026
On Monday May 11, WP Theater celebrated their annual gala honoring extraordinary achievement by women+ artists and industry leaders. Check out photos here!
by A.A. Cristi - May 7, 2026
Prospect Musicals held its 2026 Gala & Muse Awards on May 4 at The Edison Ballroom in New York City. The event honored LaChanze, Ken Davenport, Lindsay Mendez, Ryan Scott Oliver, and Jose Antonio Vargas. See photos from the evening.
by Team BWW - May 6, 2026
Spring has sprung, and with it's arrival, comes new plays for theatre lovers of all kinds. Whether you live for intense dramas or would rather escape with zany comedies, there's something for everyone both on and off-Broadway in May 2026.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 4, 2026
You can now get a first look inside rehearsals for The Public Theater’s Free Shakespeare in the Park production of Romeo & Juliet, directed by Associate Artistic Director/Resident Director Saheem Ali.
by Nicole Rosky - May 3, 2026
The 41st Annual Lucille Lortel Awards – the only New York theatre award to exclusively honor Outstanding Achievement Off-Broadway – will be presented at the annual ceremony tonight, May 3, 2026, at NYU Skirball beginning at 7:00pm.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 29, 2026
Black Women on Broadway announced its 2026 honorees, recognizing the contributions of Black women to the Broadway community. Learn more about the honorees here!
by Stephi Wild - Apr 29, 2026
Prospect Musicals announced the full line-up for its 2026 Gala & Muse Awards at The Edison Ballroom, honoring LaChanze, Ken Davenport, Lindsay Mendez, Ryan Scott Oliver, and Jose Antonio Vargas.
by Team BWW - Apr 28, 2026
It’s not every season that features two voices so deeply woven into the fabric of American theater. This fall, Vivo Performing Arts welcomes LaChanze, the original Celie in The Color Purple, whose electrifying cabaret artistry has earned raves from BroadwayWorld and audiences alike. In spring 2027, six‑time Tony Award® winner Audra McDonald returns to Symphony Hall for an intimate evening of song and storytelling.
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 23, 2026
THE OUTSIDERS, winner of four 2024 Tony Awards including Best Musical, will play The Kentucky Center in Louisville for a limited engagement presented by PNC Broadway in Louisville.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 23, 2026
The National Tour of KIMBERLY AKIMBO will be making its final stop of the tour in New Haven, CT. The production will play May 14–17 at the Shubert Theatre before the curtain comes down on the national tour for good.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
LaChanze has appeared on Broadway in 10 shows.
LaChanze has not appeared in the West End.
Distinguished Performance Awards (Drama League Awards) for Trouble in Mind, Outstanding Actress in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Trouble in Mind, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Trouble in Mind, Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for The Secret Life of Bees, Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Secret Life of Bees, Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Summer, Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, Best Featured Actress in a Musical (BroadwayWorld Awards) for If/Then, Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Color Purple, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for The Color Purple, Performance (Obie Awards) for Dessa Rose, Outstanding Actress - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin, Performance (Theatre World Awards) for Once on This Island and Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Once on this Island.
LaChanze has won several prestigious awards, including: Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Secret Life of Bees; Best Featured Actress in a Musical (BroadwayWorld Awards) for If/Then; Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for The Color Purple; Performance (Obie Awards) for Dessa Rose; Outstanding Actress - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin; and Performance (Theatre World Awards) for Once on This Island.
Videos
