They're Here! Meet the Cast of THE COLOR PURPLE, Opening Tonight on Broadway

The new Broadway revival of THE COLOR PURPLE opens tonight, December 10, at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre (242 W 45th Street). Scroll down to learn more about the company and watch highlights from the show!

Grammy, Academy Award, and Golden Globe award winner Jennifer Hudson makes her Broadway debut opposite Cynthia Erivo, the breakout star of John Doyle's acclaimed Menier Chocolate Factory production, and Orange is the New Black's Danielle Brooks, in the highly anticipated production of The Color Purple. All three women are making their Broadway debuts.

They are joined by Isaiah Johnson (The Merchant of Venice, Peter and the Starcatcher) in the role of 'Mister;' Joaquina Kalukango (Encores! Wild Party, Holler If Ya Hear Me) as 'Nettie;' and Kyle Scatliffe(LES MISERABLES) will be taking on the role of 'Harpo.'

Also in the cast are Phoenix Best, DWayne Clark, Lawrence Clayton, Carrie Compere, Patrice Covington, Adrianna Hicks, Bre Jackson, Grasan Kingsberry, Kevyn Morrow, Ken Robinson, Antoine L. Smith, Carle R. Stewart, Akron Watson, and Rema Webb.

Based on Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize winning novel and the Warner Bros. / Amblin Entertainment motion picture, The Color Purple is adapted for the stage by Pulitzer Prize and Tony award winner MarSha Norman, with music and lyrics by Grammy award winners Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray.

THE COLOR PURPLE is an unforgettable story of enduring love and triumph over adversity. With a fresh, joyous score of jazz, ragtime, gospel and blues, this stirring family chronicle follows the inspirational Celie, as she journeys from childhood through joy and despair, anguish and hope to discover the power of love and life.

Cynthia Erivo (Celie) is one of the fastest-rising stars of British musical theatre, received an Evening Standard Theatre Award nomination for Best Musical Performance and a WhatsOnStage Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance as Celie in The Color Purple. In 2011 Cynthia received her first big musical theatre break, in Kneehigh Theatre's production of The Umbrellas of Cherbourg at the Gielgud Theatre, followed by the starring role of Deloris Van Cartier in the UK tour of Jerry Zaks' production of Sister Act. Cynthia appeared in the West End as Chenice in Harry Hill and Simon Cowell's critically acclaimed musical, I Can't Sing, at the London Palladium and also played the leading role of Dessa in the European premiere of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty musical, Dessa Rose, at Trafalgar Studios. A 2010 graduate of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA), Cynthia's many stage credits include Simon Stephens'Marine Parade, which premiered at the 2010 Brighton Festival, John Adams' experimental "song play," I Was Looking at the Ceiling and Then I Saw The Sky, at Theatre Royal Stratford East, and Dominic Hill's The Three Musketeers and The Princess of Spain at Traverse, Belgrade and English Touring theatres. This past fall, Cynthia returned to her classical roots in the Donmar Warehouse's acclaimed all-female production of Henry IV opposite Dame Harriet Walter, directed by Phyllida Lloyd. She will soon star as Puck in the Liverpool Everyman's production ofA Midsummer Night's Dream, opposite Dean Nolan and Andrew Schofield, directed by Nick Bagnall. In addition to her stage career, Cynthia is a songwriter and wrote the song, "Fly Before You Fall," for last year's feature film Beyond the Lights.

Jennifer Hudson (Shug Avery) won the Academy Award, Golden Globe, and BAFTA Award for her performance as Effie White in Dreamgirls. Her breakout film performance also garnered a Screen Actors Guild Award and an NAACP Image Award. Additional film credits include Sex and the City, Secret Life of Bees, Winnie Mandela, The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete, and Black Nativity. Her highly acclaimed album, JHUD, dropped this past fall in the top 10 on Billboard's Top 200. Just prior, she released singles including the recently Grammy-nominated "It's Your World," featuring R. Kelly; "He Ain't Goin' Nowhere," featuring Iggy Azaelea; "I Can't Describe," produced by Pharrell and featuring TI; and "Walk It Out," featuring Timbaland. Most recently, Hudson was featured on Gorgon City's chart topping track, "Go All Night," off their new album, Sirens. Hudson's 2008 debut album went Platinum and entered Billboard's Top 200 at No. 2 thus marking the biggest first week sales for an R&B female entry since 2004. The album was nominated for four Grammys and won for "Best R&B Album." In 2009, Hudson released her sophomore album, I Remember Me which debuted at No. 2 on Billboard's Top 200 and R&B Albums charts and has since been certified Gold in the U.S.

Danielle Brooks (Sofia) is thrilled to be making her Broadway debut. She is best known for her role as Tasha "Taystee" Jefferson in Netflix's Emmy-nominated series, "Orange is the New Black" which is currently in production on its fourth season. Brooks and her cast received a SAG Award in 2014 for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series and Danielle was the recipient of the Young Hollywood Award for Breakthrough Actress. Brooks has also appeared in HBO's "Girls", and will be seen in AZIZ ANSARI's upcoming Netflix comedy series, "Master of None". On the big screen, Brooks voiced a character for Sony's Angry Birds set to be released May 2016, and has previously starred in Oren Moverman's Time Out of Mind and the independent feature, I Dream Too Much, which premiered at SXSW. Brooks grew up in South Carolina and is a graduate of The Juilliard School. "This journey has been too beautiful for words."

Isaiah Johnson (Mister) has appeared on and off Broadway, working with Al Pacino and Daniel Sullivan in The Merchant of Venice, Kevin Spacey and Sam Mendes in Richard III, Kelli O'Hara and Michael Greif in Far From Heaven, Roger Rees and Alex Timbers in Peter and the Starcatcher, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Thomas Kail in Hamilton (lab production), and on various projects with Norm Lewis, Bill Condon and Randy Newman. He has also been a guest star on CBS' "Person of Interest" and the Cinemax series "The Knick." Isaiah received a BFA from Howard University and an MFA from NYU's Tisch Grad Acting.

Kyle Scatliffe (Harpo) is a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York. His credits include Enjolras in the recent Broadway revival of Les Miserables, Haywood Patterson in the London premiere of The Scottsboro Boys (Olivier Award Nomination), Coalhouse inRagtime (Zach Theatre), Jud Fry in Oklahoma (5th Avenue Theatre), Marley inA Christmas Carol: the concert (Baltimore Symphony Orchestra/PBS) and Mitch Mahoney in 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Alabama Shakespeare Festival).

Joaquina Kalukango (Nettie) has appeared most recently in the Encores! Wild Party, on Broadway in Holler If Ya Hear Me and Godspell, and Off-Broadway in Our Lady of Kibeho (Signature), Antony and Cleopatra (The Public Theater and Royal Shakespeare Company), Emotional Creature(Signature and Berkeley Rep), Hurt Village (Signature, Theatre World Award, Drama Desk Award nomination) and Rent (NWS). Favorite regional credits include Camae in The Mountaintop (Arena Stage and Alley Theatre, Helen Hayes Award), Sarah in Ragtime (Hangar) and Ti Moune in Once on This Island (Hangar). Joaquina is a Juilliard graduate.

Phoenix Best (Swing) is a recent graduate of DeSales University and is making her Broadway debut with this production. Regional credits include Les Miserables, Oklahoma!, Henry V, and Two Gentleman of Verona.

DWayne Clark (Ensemble) has appeared on Broadway in Spiderman(Ensemble), In the Heights (u/s Benny), Cry Baby (Dupree), Tarzan (Terk),Urinetown (u/s Bobby Strong), Smokey Joe's Café (Adrian). National tours include Rent, Smokey Joe's Café. Regional: Tick, Tick, Boom, Ain't Misbehavin'. New York City Opera: Porgy and Bess (Sportin Life).

Lawrence Clayton (Ensemble/Preacher/Ol' Mister) most recently starred as Joe Boyd in Damn Yankees at the Ordway Theater in St. Paul, MN. Broadway appearances include Bells Are Ringing, It Ain't Nothin but the Blues, The Civil War, Once upon a Mattress, andDreamgirls. Off Broadway includes Crowns (Second Stage), Saturn Returnsand Romance in Hard Times (Public), and Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar(The Theater at MSG). Regional credits include productions of Big River, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Boys from Syracuse, Betsy Brown, Sophisticated Ladies and Avenue X. He has appeared as the Tenor in Too Hot to Handelwith the Baltimore and Colorado Symphonies and has also starred as Montel/Jesus in the New York Premiere of Jerry Springer the Opera at Carnegie Hall (also at Sydney Opera House). TV credits include "Homeland," "The Good Wife," "The Big C," "All My Children," "Another World," "As the World Turns," "One Life to Live," "Deadline," and "Law and Order: CSI," among others.

Carrie Compere (Ensemble/Church Lady) feels blessed to be a part of this amazing company. Credits: Holler If You Hear Me (Broadway), Sistas (Off-Broadway), Shrek (1st National Tour), Smokey Joe's Café (TUTS), Lord Tom (York Theater Lab), "NYC 22" (CBS), "Gurland on Gurland" (Showtime), "Showboat': Live at Lincoln Center" (PBS). Thanks: God, my awesome hubby Jerry, amazing children Isaiah and Pneuma, manager Susan/CBU Management, Inc., JC William, Avalon Artists. For Jeanne!

Patrice Covington (Ensemble/Squeak) is making her Broadway debut. National tours include Motown The Musical, The Book of Mormon, Dreamgirls (Effie), Ain't Misbehavin' (Armelia). She has numerous national voice over credits and released a music video for her single, "Life Feels Good Right Now."

Adrianna Hicks (Swing) is making her Broadway debut. International credits include Sister Act (u/s Deloris), Natürlich Blond das Musical (u/s Pilar), Dirty Dancing das Musical (Ensemble). Regional: Sarah (Ragtime). Concert: backup for Michael Bublé (Call Me Irresponsible Tour).

Bre Jackson (Ensemble/Church Lady) has appeared on Broadway in The Book of Mormon (Ensemble/Swing) and on the First National Tour ofPriscilla Queen of the Desert (Diva). Bre received her BFA from the University of Michigan.

Grasan Kingsberry (Ensemble/Adam/Buster) This is Grasan's 10th Broadway show and was a member of the original cast of The Color Purple in 2005. Other Broadway Original Casts:Motown, Nice Work..., Leap of Faith, On A Clear Day..., Catch Me..., Finian's Rainbow, Dirty Rotten..., Aida. Regional: One Night In Miami (Sam Cooke/Center Stage), Dreamgirls (Curtis/North Shore and National Tour). TV/Film: "Royal Pains," "Smash," "All My Children," I Am Legend. He is a graduate of Juilliard.

Kevyn Morrow (Ensemble/Pa) Broadway credits include The Scarlet Pimpernel, Dream, Smokey Joe's Café, Dreamgirls (1987), A Chorus Line(1990). London: 125th Street, Ragtime (Olivier, Best Actor nom.). Off-Broadway: Boys in the Band, Blue. Regional: Whipping Man, Gem of the Ocean, Stormy Weather, Race, Radio Golf, Les Miserables (Javert), Five Guys..., Tambourines to Glory (Helen Hayes Best Actor nom). Film: Fair Market Value, The Trade, Stayin' Alive. Television: Kennedy Center Honors (featured), "Half-Share" (series regular), "Elementary," "Person of Interest," "Ed," "Coach," "Hostages," "The Good Wife," and "Murphy Brown."

Ken Robinson (Swing) Broadway credits include Memphis and Baby It's You! Regional work includes Choir Boy (Marin Theatre Co), The Colored Museum (Huntington Theatre), The Piano Lesson (Seattle Rep and Syracuse Stage), My Fair Lady (Oregon Shakespeare Festival), Ain't Misbehavin'(Cleveland Playhouse). TV: "Smash." Ken received his MFA from the Yale School of Drama and his BA from Morehouse College.

Antoine L. Smith (Ensemble/Grady) Broadway: Memphis. National Tours: First National Tour of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella (Lord Pinkleton); Cats (Old Deuteronomy, Gus, Growltiger). Regional: Les Miserables (Javert), Big River (Jim), Ragtime (Booker T. Washington), Rent(Tom Collins).

Carla R. Stewart (Ensemble/Olivia) is making her Broadway debut. Originally from Chicago, Carla is an AMDA New York graduate. Favorite credits include the First National Tour of Ghost the Musical (Oda Mae Brown). Regional: The Wiz (Dorothy), Rent (Joanne), Ain't Misbehavin' (Nell).

Akron Watson (Ensemble/Bobby) has appeared off-Broadway in The Fortress of Solitude (Public Theater). Regional: Dreamgirls (North Shore Music Theater); The Fortress of Solitude, Stagger Lee (Dallas Theater Center); Smokey Joe's Café (Water Tower Theatre); Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo (Theatre Three); The Shipment (Undermain Theatre). Film/TV: "Friday Night Lights," "Chase," Seasons of Gray, Spilt Milk.

Rema Webb (Ensemble/Church Lady) recently appeared in You're Standing In My Way: A New Song Cycle by William Finn and Deborah Abramson at Barrington Stage Company. She also appeared as the homeless woman in A New Brain at Encores! Off-Center. Ms. Webb was featured in the Broadway revival of Violet and performed on the 2014 Tony Awards. Other Broadway credits include The Lion King, The Book of Mormon, and Ragtime. Favorite regional credits include The Colored Museum at the Huntington Theatre Company (Elliot Norton Award for Best Ensemble) and Being Alive (Westport Country Playhouse and Philadelphia Theatre Company). Last fall, she made her 54 Below solo concert debut with Children Will Listen. She is the Founder/Executive Director of the On Broadway Performing Arts Training Program.