Jennifer Hudson to make Broadway debut in Menier's Color Purple

Jennifer Hudson will make her Broadway debut in the Menier Chocolate Factory's production of The Color Purple when it transfers to New York later this year.

The Oscar and Grammy-winning actress is set to play Shug Avery in John Doyle's production, which leaves open the possibility of Cynthia Erivo, who starred as Celie in London, transferring with it.

The show will reportedly open at a Shubert Theatre, which is yet to be announced, this Autumn, with further casting also to be revealed.

The 1930s-set family chronicle, adapted from Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, centres on black teenager Celie as she journeys from childhood through joy and despair, anguish and hope to discover the power of love and life in racially divided southern America.

With a score of jazz, ragtime, gospel and blues, The Color Purple is adapted for the stage by Pulitzer Prize and Tony award winner Marsha Norman, with music and lyrics by Grammy award winners Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray.

Jennifer Hudson rose to fame as a finalist on Series 3 of American Idol, and won numerous awards for her portrayal of Effie White in Dreamgirls. Her debut album, titled Jennifer Hudson, won a Grammy Award in 2012.