Power to the ‘Purple’On Dec. 1,
Oprah Winfrey’s foray onto Broadway, ‘The Color Purple,’ opened to mixed reviews but thanks to a thriving box-office; the
Gary Griffin-directed musical has grossed $16 million in advance ticket sales. For the production crew, the buzz adds up to eight shows a week, and even working on holidays. But for the lead female cast members, who are performing two shows on New Year’s Eve, it’s still a blessing. “I am grateful for this year because it has been a wonderful thing for the show,”
Felicia P. Fields, who packs a punch as the surly Sofia, tells Black Voices. “I just hope and pray that the people sustain this kind of energy so it can have a long life on Broadway.”
The Chicago native revealed she’d rather be in church but she will join cast members at an after hours spot to ring in the New Year and won’t be consuming alcohol-- her drink of choice is a Shirley Temple.
“After I come home from the theater I’m going to be with my family,”
LaChanze, who portrays Celie, shared. Her parents and siblings will show up at the new Mount Vernon, NY house she shares with her two daughters,
Celia Rose and
Zaya, and her husband, African artist
Derek Fordjour on New Year’s Eve.
“I look at [‘Purple’] as a journey, and it’s incredible… it’s so much that God is blessing us with,”
Elisabeth Withers-Mendes, who plays scene-stealer Shug Avery, offered. The Joliet, Illinois native and mother of a newborn daughter says she’s sticking close to the home front. “Chile, we’re going to cook. I’m going to make some turkey, some dressing and don’t laugh… but a black-eyed peas casserole, some greens, some lasagna and maybe some Cole-slaw. I don’t trust nobody making my food.”
More New Year’s CheerBlack Voices asked some more entertainers to share their plans for celebrating the New Year. "I'm giving to biggest New Year's Eve Bash at my church,” Grammy Award winning gospel superstar
Donnie McClurkin revealed. “From ten until midnight, we'll be singing, dancing, and praising God ....the works!! It's all to celebrate the end of a unique and unusual year and welcome the New Year with jubilation and hope." Tony Award winning actress
Adriane Lennox (‘Doubt’) is also following the Holy rolling suit. “I will likely do what I do each New Year's Eve and go to my church in Brooklyn for the Watch Night service.”
Rising actor
Jamie Hector, who stars as the sinister Marlow Stanfield on HBO’s hit drama ‘The Wire’ says family is the priority. “Every New Year's Eve I make it my business to spend some time with them. It doesn't have to be in a club or the new ‘hot spot.’ As long as I’m with all of my fam, by that I mean, relatives and extended family.”
Common, nominated for four Grammy Awards, says he’s going “somewhere peaceful and just focus on what I want to do on the next year to come.” Novelist
Eric Jerome Dickey (‘Genevieve,’ ‘Milk In My Coffee’) has plans to partake in the festivities at The Little Temple Bar in Los Angeles, where neo-soul singer
Sy Smith will take the stage.
‘America’s Next Top Model’ personality
Toccara says she has no definite party plans, but will probably wind up in church [Harlem’s First Corinthian] with her father,
Tommy Jones, who is in town visiting for Ohio. “My daddy really wants to go see the ball drop. We’ve never done that so we may head down there, but it may be too packed for me.”
And multi-platinum selling rapper/actor
Ludacris didn’t exactly know what the plans would be, but did note, “I had a great year, I couldn’t ask for much more. I guess be around my friends and loved ones.” Meanwhile
Lil' Jon will count it down for revelers at Miami’s Shore Club. According to his spokesperson, he will also host an exclusive bash at 510 Ocean, a new South Beach hotspot he co-owns with
Big Boi and
Tyrese.
