People: Hudson takes talent to ‘The Color Purple’
Jennifer Hudson will make her Broadway debut in the fall when the musical “The Color Purple” returns.
The Grammy, Oscar and Golden Globe winner will play Shug Avery, a sultry blues singer, in the production directed and designed by John Doyle, who received a director’s Tony in 2006 for his own Broadway debut, “Sweeney Todd.”
It’s Hudson’s first musical theater role since her award-winning turn in the 2006 film “Dreamgirls.” Further casting and a specific theater were not announced in a statement released Friday by the show’s publicists.
Cosby heckled by group during show
Hecklers stood up and chanted repeatedly “we believe the women,” at Bill Cosby’s third and final performance of a Canadian tour Friday night.
The hecklers then marched out of the theater in Hamilton, Ontario, as the 77-year-old comedian asked his audience not to react.
Cosby is facing growing sexual assault allegations from more than 15 women, with some claims dating back decades. He has denied the allegations through his lawyer and has never been charged.
The walk-out during Friday’s show came a day after a man at Cosby’s performance in London, Ontario, called the comedian “a rapist.”
It took place just minutes after Cosby acknowledged the controversy that has followed him throughout his three-city Canadian tour.
“Whatever happens here tonight if there’s some sort of outburst, we just have to remain calm and things will be taken care of. It oughtn’t last that long,” he said.
Christie to watch Cowboys v. Packers
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie will travel to Wisconsin this weekend to watch his beloved Dallas Cowboys play the Green Bay Packers, this time on his own dime, a spokesman said.
Christie and his son Andrew will be at Lambeau Field for the National Football League playoff on Sunday. It will be the sixth Cowboys game he’s attended this season and the first since he was widely criticized for sitting in a luxury box as the guest of team owner Jerry Jones last week. He’ll even wear the now-famous orange sweater, which he’s sported at each game. Jones called Christie and the sweater “part of our mojo.”
Christie’s attendance at Cowboys games has attracted criticism ranging from jabs over rooting against New York and Philadelphia teams to a request by a national Democratic group for a review by the New Jersey Ethics Commission. Jones has an interest in a business that holds a contract with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which is overseen by Christie and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.
The birthday bunch
Rock singer-musician Ronnie Hawkins is 80. Singer Frank Sinatra Jr. is 71. Singer Rod Stewart is 70. Rock singer-musician Donald Fagen (Steely Dan) is 67. Boxing Hall of Famer and entrepreneur George Foreman is 66. Singer Pat Benatar is 62. Rapper Chris Smith (Kris Kross) is 36.