"for colored girls" Film to Star Goldberg, Rashad, Jackson, Devine and More

By Adam Hetrick
26 Mar 2010

Whoopi Goldberg and Phylicia Rashad
Whoopi Goldberg and Phylicia Rashad
Photo by Aubrey Reuben

Tony Award winners Whoopi Goldberg and Phylicia Rashad are among the actresses filmmaker and playwright Tyler Perry has revealed to star in his film adaptation of Ntozake Shange's Tony Award-nominated play for colored girls who have considered suicide when the rainbow is enuf.

Perry told Black Voices that in addition to Goldberg and Rashad, his starry cast would also feature Loretta Devine, Kerry Washington, Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, Jurnee Smollett, Kimberly Elise and Macy Gray.

"For colored girls" will begin filming in New York this June, with a possible winter 2011 release.

Goldberg had been previously announced to produce a 2008 Broadway revival of the play, with Grammy winner India.Arie attached to star. The production, which was to include an updated script to make it more relevant to contemporary audiences, never materialized.

The 1974 Obie-winning and Tony Award-nominated for colored girls who have considered suicide when the rainbow is enuf played The Public Theater and jumped to Broadway 1976-78, with playwright Shange featured as one of seven women who "reveal themselves, their lives, loves, hardships, and ultimately their discovery of strength and love."

The production was nominated for a 1977 Best Play Tony Award, and actress Trazana Beverley won a Tony in the category of Best Actress in a Featured Role (Play). The original Broadway company also featured Laurie Carlos, Risë Collins, Aku Kadogo, Janet League, Paula Moss and Ntozake Shange.