Jennifer Hudson is returning to the world that helped define her career — this time from the producing side.
Hudson has officially joined the producing team of the upcoming Broadway revival of Dreamgirls, set to arrive this fall. The move reunites the Oscar winner with the property that introduced her to global audiences when she portrayed Effie White in the 2006 film adaptation and delivered a performance that earned her an Academy Award.
Now, nearly two decades later, Hudson is helping guide the show’s return to the stage.
The revival will be directed and choreographed by Camille A. Brown, whose recent work on Broadway has continued to reshape how Black stories move, feel, and live in theater spaces.
In a statement about stepping into her new role, Hudson reflected on the full-circle moment.
“Twenty years ago, my life changed forever because of a film called Dreamgirls. Inspired by the iconic stage musical, I was given the opportunity of a lifetime to portray the one and only Effie White — a woman whose story and voice remain an ever-present force in my life. I am beyond honored to join the extraordinary producing team behind this special, newly reimagined Broadway revival, and to help bring Dreamgirls back to the stage through the visionary direction and choreography of Camille A. Brown. This fall cannot come soon enough.”
This marks Hudson’s third Broadway producing credit. She previously joined the team behind A Strange Loop, which went on to win the Tony Award for Best Musical, solidifying her path to EGOT status. She also served as a producer on the recent stage adaptation of Smash.
Hudson joins producers Sonia Friedman Productions, Sue Wagner, and John Johnson. LaChanze, who had been announced as part of the producing team last year, is no longer attached to the revival.
Details including the theater, exact dates, and casting remain under wraps.
Dreamgirls originally premiered on Broadway in 1981 with direction and choreography by Michael Bennett, music by Henry Krieger, and book and lyrics by Tom Eyen. The show, loosely inspired by the rise of Motown acts like The Supremes, became a landmark musical for its portrayal of ambition, friendship, and the cost of fame.
With Hudson now helping lead the charge, the revival signals a powerful bridge between the legacy of the original production and a new generation ready to experience Effie’s voice all over again.