Stage to PageWho Should Play Mister in the Broadway Revival of The Color Purple?Following the recent casting announcements of Jennifer Hudson, Danielle Brooks and Cynthia Erivo in the upcoming Broadway production of The Color Purple, Playbill.com took to social media to see which performer readers would most like to see in the role of Mister. The production begins previews Nov. 9 at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre.
By
Olivia Clement
May 31, 2015
Kingsley Leggs as Mister in the original Broadway production of The Color PurplePhoto by Paul Kolnik
Tony Award nominee Norm Lewis recently starred in the title role of Broadway's long-running production of The Phantom of the Opera, marking the first occasion that the role had been played in New York by an African-American performer. Other Broadway credits include The Wild Party, Side Show, Les Misérables and Porgy and Bess, the latter alongside Audra McDonald, for which he received a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a Musical. He has also starred as King Triton in Broadway's Little Mermaid.
Actor, singer and dancer Dule Hill has been featured on Broadway in After Midnight, Stick Fly and Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk, but is perhaps best known for his long-running role as presidential aide Charlie Young on "The West Wing." Hill is currently filming for another series, HBO newcomer "Ballers," starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.
David St. Louis was most recently seen on Broadway as Jake in the acclaimed but short-lived revival of Side Show, about conjoined twins Violet and Daisy Hilton.The original cast, including St. Louis, recently reunited for a one-night-only concert at 54 Below. His other Broadway credits include Jesus Christ Superstarand The Scarlet Pimpernel. His TV credits include "N.C.I.S.," "Law & Order" and "Third Watch."
Two-time Tony nominee Joshua Henry has appeared on Broadway in Violet, Bring It On: The Musical, Porgy and Bess and The Scottsboro Boys, among others. His film and TV credits include the "Sex and the City" movie, "Army Wives" and "Winter's Tale." Henry recently appeared in a concert at 54 Below with On the Town star Alysha Umphress.
Taye Diggs
Laurie O'Connors-Mohamed: Taye Diggs
Taye Diggs
James Hill
Taye Diggs, who was recently announced as the next Hedwig in Hedwig and the Angry Inch on Broadway, created the role of Benny in Rent. His other Broadway credits include Fiyero in Wicked and Billy Flynn in Chicago. On television he has been featured in "The Good Wife," "Murder in the First" and "Private Practice."
Viola Davis
William Harrison Surber: VIOLA DAVIS!!!! Because she can say anything and I would believe it.
Viola Davis and Denzel Washington
Photo by Joan Marcus
While it's unlikely that Viola Davis would be cast as Mister, Playbill.com couldn't resist featuring the two-time Tony Award winner in this week's poll. The star, who we would love to lure back to the New York stage, has appeared on Broadway in Fences, King Hedley II and Seven Guitars. She is also a Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics Circle and Theatre World Award winner.
Lupita Nyong'o, Katrina Lenk, Jelani Alladin, and more were on hand to celebrate the October 31 opening night of Michael R. Jackson and Anna K. Jacobs' new musical.
