Jennifer Hudson readies for her Broadway debut in 'The Color Purple'

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Jennifer Hudson Gears Up For Long-Awaited Broadway Debut
Jennifer Hudson Gears Up For Long-Awaited Broadway Debut


Is an EGOT -- an Emmy, GRAMMY, Oscar, and Tony award -- in Jennifer Hudson's future?

The 33-year-old entertainer already has two of the four -- a Best Supporting Oscar for Dreamgirls and a GRAMMY for Best R&B Album -- and when she makes her Broadway debut in the musical adaptation of The Color Purple she just may garner recognition at the Tony Awards.

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Hudson will play Shug Avery in the stage revival, which also stars Orange Is the New Black's Danielle Brooks as Sofia. And though the entertainer is used to live performances, Hudson admits taking the stage will be a challenge.

"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," Hudson tells ET. "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."

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But then again, Hudson doesn't have to try to top Oprah Winfrey's Oscar-nominated performance as Sofia. "Oprah has originated this character, this role and has brought so much life into this woman and will never be forgotten," Brooks says of the longtime talk show host's lasting impact.

However, just knowing that Winfrey, who is serving as one of the show's producers, is a part of the production is icing on the cake for both actresses. "Who wouldn't want to be what she's a part of?" Hudson says.

Preview performances of The Color Purple begin on November 9 at the Bernard B. Jacobs theater in New York City. The show, directed by John Doyle, opens on December 3.

See photos of Jennifer through the years:

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