Jennifer Hudson and Bob Martin Join 'Whorehouse' Concert

Jennifer Hudson, "American Idol" finalist and star of the upcoming film of Dreamgirls, and The Drowsy Chaperone's Tony-winning star Bob Martin have joined the cast of The Actors' Fund one-night-only benefit performance of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.  The benefit concert will be held October 16 at 7:30 pm at the August Wilson Theatre, 225 West 44th Street, New York City.

Hudson will take on the role of Jewel, while Martin will play Melvin P. Thorpe.

Hudson will star as Effie White in the highly-anticipated film version of Dreamgirls, directed by Oscar winner Bill Condon (Chicago).  The holiday release also stars Beyonce Knowles, Jamie Foxx, and Eddie Murphy.  Hudson made her Broadway debut in the 2004 Actors' Fund concert of Hair.

Bob Martin is the star and writer of the sleeper hit The Drowsy Chaperone, which received thirteen Tony nominations; he was nominated for his performance and won a Tony for co-writing its book. Martin is "Man in Chair" who guides the audience through the story of his favorite musical The Drowsy Chaperone.  Martin is also one of the creators of the hit Canadian television show "Slings and Arrows."

The full cast includes Harry Groener (Spamalot, Crazy for You), The Governor; Andrea McArdle (Annie, State Fair, Beauty and the Beast), Doatsy Mae; Felicia Finley (The Wedding Singer, Aida), Angel; Mary Faber (Avenue Q), Shy; Richard Kind (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), Senator Wingwoah; Constantine Maroulis ("American Idol," Wedding Singer), Aggie soloist, the cast of the award-winning musical [title of show] as The Melvin P. Thorpe Singers. 

Casting for the principle roles has yet to be announced.

The cast will also include Roxane Barlow (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), Michelle Kittrell, (All Shook Up), Amber Efe (The Seven), J. Elaine Marcos (The Wedding Singer), Rachelle Rak (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), Christina Norrup (The Producers), Angie Schworer (The Producers), Jen Cody (Urinetown), Dennis Stowe (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), Bret Shuford (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang), Jeff Lewis (Fiddler on the Roof), Jason Patrick Sands (The Producers), Will Taylor (La Cage aux Folles), Matt Rossoff (Reefer Madness), Rick Faugno (Wonderful Town) and Justin Greer (The Producers). Also featured in the cast are Phil Fabry, Nina Hennessey, MaryAnn Hu, Sue Goodman, Trent Armand Kendall, Naomi Naughton, Kate Pazakis, and Charlie Schwartz .

The creative team comprises: Director, Mark S. Hoebee; Artistic Producer/Musical Director, Seth Rudetsky; Choreographer, Denis Jones; Set Design, Paul Weimer; Costume Design, Michael Growler; Producers, Tim Pinckney/Steven Yuhasz.

Rudetsky's previous Actors' Fund concerts include On the Twentieth Century, Hair, Chess, Funny Girl and Dreamgirls.

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas opened at the 46th Street Theatre on June 19th, 1978 to run for 1,584 performances.  The show featured choreography by Tommy Tune, who co-directed. 

Visit www.actorsfund.org for more on The Actors' Fund.