In the entertainment industry, it’s all about rebranding and evolving. Longevity is only afforded to those who are bold enough to face new challenges and step outside of their norm. BlackEnterprise.com recently reported that R&B divas Deborah Cox and Brandy will be taking on the Broadway stage this year in major productions Josephine and Chicago, respectively.
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Some more of our favorite woman entertainers have also maximized their crafts beyond the recording studio and film set, exposing a new layer of their talent on the Broadway stage. Take a look at these stars and get to know their work on The Great White Way.
Toni Braxton
Legendary artist Toni Braxton temporarily rested her vocals from chilling ballads, like “Unbreak My Heart,” and belted out theatrical Broadway tunes in Beauty and the Beast
(1998), Aida (2003) and After Midnight (2013).Fantasia
Fantasia’s jazzy and soulful vocals make her a rare talent and favorite among her international fans. The “American Idol” winner made her 2007 Broadway debut in The Color Purple, produced by Oprah Winfrey, and returned in 2013 for After Midnight
.Nicole Ari Parker
The Soul Food actress made her Broadway debut in the classic, A Street Car Named Desire. Alongside Blair Underwood, Ari Parker made history as the 2012 revival was the first time that the play depicted a multicultural cast.
Jennifer Hudson
Broadway confirmed that Oscar and Grammy winner Jennifer Hudson is making her debut this year. The Color Purple
is returning to the stage, and Hudson will play Shug Avery.NeNe Leakes
If there’s one woman who gets branding, it’s NeNe Leakes. Leakes, who rose to fame after starring in the reality TV series Real Housewives of Atlanta, transformed into Madame, the wicked stepmother, in the 2014 Broadway production of Cinderella.