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Paras Griffin/Getty ImagesJennifer Holliday is headed back to Broadway in the award-winning revival of The Color Purple.
The Tony and Grammy award winner, best known for her role as Effie White in the original 1981 Broadway production of Dreamgirls, has landed the role of Shug Avery, a charismatic singer who woos the heart of neglected Celie.
Holliday’s role of Shug, which was played by Jennifer Hudson — who herself played Effie in the 2006 Dreamgirls movie — is currently being filled by award-winning singer/songwriter Heather Headly.
“Nothing compares to performing before a Broadway audience and I can’t wait to return to the Broadway stage, where I started my career over 35 years ago,” Jennifer said in a statement to Entertainment Weekly.
Holliday begins her new role in The Color Purple October 4.
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