All About Musicals

Fantasia Barrino, who became an “American Idol” in May of 2004, will become the first American Idol winner to star on Broadway. Beginning on April 10th, she will portray the lead role of Celie in The Color Purple.

Incidentally, the role of Celie was originally portrayed by Whoopi Goldberg in the film “The Color Purple.”

Other American Idol finalists who have gone on to perform in musical theatre-capacity include:

– Diana DeGarmo, who has appeared on Broadway in Hairspray.

– Jennifer Hudson, who won an Oscar for the film version of “Dreamgirls.”

– LaToya London, who will portray the role of Nettie in the upcoming tour of The Color Purple, beginning April 17 at Chicago’s Cadillac Palace Theatre.

– Constantine Maroulis, who appeared on Broadway in The Wedding Singer, and most recently in the Off-Broadway revue Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris.

– Frenchie Davis, who appeared on Broadway in Rent.

(Interestingly enough, the first three women listed above were in direct competition with Fantasia during Season 3 of “American Idol.”)

Visit www.colorpurple.com for more information!

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