Jennifer Hudson thinks her Broadway debut will keep her on her toes.
The Oscar winning actress will soon be treading the boards in the musical adaptation of The Color Purple. And while the star is used to performing, having had major success since she entered American Idol in 2004, she is already psyching herself up to be in front of a live audience every night.
“It's live. There's no retakes. It is what it is so you have to be on point and in the moment - that's challenging,” she told Entertainment Tonight. “But it’s exciting at the same time because I've learned no live show is every the same. So you have to be on your toes - that's for sure.”
The 33-year-old will star alongside Orange is the New Black’s Danielle Brooks in the role of Shug Avery.
The 1985 film version of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name starred Oprah Winfrey in her debut big screen role. The star was nominated for an Academy Award for her work and serves as one of the show’s producers. Upon hearing this information, it was a no-brainer for Jennifer to sign on the dotted line.
“Who wouldn't want to be what she's a part of?” she asked.
Jennifer has previously spoken about her nerves over the role, but that she knows how to make them work in her favour.
“I think nerves are important when you’re trying something new,” she told Buzzfeed. “I’m ready to create something with a special group of people. The feeling of butterflies that comes with it, that’s empowering and it’s something I will use every night on the stage to share Shug’s story with the audience.”
Preview performances begin on November 9 with the show officially opening on December 3.
