LaChanze  Headshot

LaChanze

Also Credited As: R. Lachanze Sapp, LaChanze

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LaChanze BIO

LaChanze's first summer job was as a tap dancer in the ensemble of Uptown... It's Hot! at the Tropicana Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The show opened on Broadway in January 1986, where LaChanze began her professional career in the theater.


LaChanze played the role of "Ti Moune" in the Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty musical Once on This Island in 1990 and received nominations for the Tony Award as Best Featured Actress in a Musical and Drama Desk Award as Outstanding Actress in a Musical. She was a replacement "Sarah" in the Ahrens and Flaherty and Terrence McNally Broadway musical Ragtime, starting in December 1998. She played the role of "Viveca" in the Playwrights Horizons Off-Broadway production of the musical The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin, which opened in June 2000. She received a Drama Desk nomination, Actress (Musical), for her performance. LaChanze participated in an Actors Fund of America benefit concert of Funny Girl, with many performers portraying the character of "Fanny Brice", in September 2002.
In 2005 she played a runaway slave in the Ahrens and Flaherty musical Dessa Rose. The musical opened Off-Broadway at the Mitzi Newhouse Theatre at Lincoln Center in March 2005. LaChanze received an Obie Award for Performance for Dessa Rose. LaChanze appeared as "Celie" in the Broadway musical The Color Purple, from its opening in 2005 to November 2006. She won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for this performance.
In September 2008 she participated in the Boston Pops concert, Handel's Messiah Rocks at Emerson College. The performance was filmed by Public Broadcasting Service. She was in the Off-Broadway production of Inked Baby, written by Christina Anderson, which opened in March 2009 at Playwrights Horizons Peter Jay Sharp Theater. In June and July 2009, she played the role of "Glinda" in the City Center Encores! staged Summer Stars concert production of The Wiz.
She published her first picture book, Little Diva, in 2010. She was in the Broadway production of If/Then in 2014, starring as Kate. In 2018, she was in Summer: The Donna Summer Musical on Broadway, playing Diva Donna/Mary Gaines. She is currently in A Christmas Carol on Broadway, starring as the Ghost of Christmas Present.

LaChanze Photos

LaChanze STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
2021
Wiletta

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2019
Ghost of Christmas Present/Mrs. Fezziwig

[Off-Broadway]
Atlantic Theatre Company Off-Broadway World Premiere, 2019
August

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2018
Donna Summer

Mary Gaines

[San Diego, CA (Regional)]
World Premiere at La Jolla Playhouse, 2017
Diva Donna

[Off-Broadway]
Encores Concert Production, 2016
Petunia Jackson

[US Tour]
First National Tour, 2015
Kate

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2014
Kate

[Off-Broadway]
2009
Performer

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2005
Celie

Celie

[New York]
Workshop, 2005
Celie

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 2005
Dessa Rose

Dessa Rose

[Milburn, NJ (Regional)]
Paper Mill Production, 2004
Pam

[New York]
Reading, 2004
Performer

[New York]
Reading, 2004
Performer

[New York]
Reading, 2003
Performer

[Broadway]
Actors' Fund Concert, 2002
Fanny Brice

Fanny Brice

[Broadway]
Reunion Concert, 2002
Ti Moune

Ti Moune

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 2000
Viveca

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1999
Performer [Replacement]

Performer [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1998
Sarah [Replacement]

[Milburn, NJ (Regional)]
Paper Mill Production, 1996
Performer

[Broadway]
Roundabout Revival, 1995
Marta

[Off-Broadway]
Encores! Concert, 1995
Chloe

[Broadway]
Broadway Transfer, 1990
Ti Moune

Ti Moune

[Off-Broadway]
1990
Ti Moune

[New York]
Reading, 1999
Performer

[Los Angeles]
Los Angeles Production, 1997
Performer

LaChanze Productions

 
[Off-Broadway, 2024]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2023]
Producing Partner
 
[Broadway, 2022]
Producer


LaChanze TV Shows

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
President Rosa Freeman, Amber, Ms. Pivik
The Cosby Show
Sylvia
The Good Fight
Julius's Wife

LaChanze Awards and Nominations

Drama League Awards - 2022 - Distinguished Performance Awards

LaChanze, Trouble in Mind

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2022 - Outstanding Actress in a Play

LaChanze, Trouble in Mind

Tony Awards - 2022 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

LaChanze, Trouble in Mind

Drama Desk Awards - 2020 - Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical

LaChanze, The Secret Life of Bees


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2020 - Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical

LaChanze, The Secret Life of Bees

Drama Desk Awards - 2018 - Outstanding Actress in a Musical

LaChanze, Summer

Drama League Awards - 2018 - Distinguished Performance Award

LaChanze, Summer: The Donna Summer Musical

Tony Awards - 2018 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

LaChanze, Summer: The Donna Summer Musical


winner
BroadwayWorld Awards - 2014 - Best Featured Actress in a Musical

LaChanze, If/Then

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2006 - Outstanding Actress in a Musical

La Chanze, The Color Purple


winner
Tony Awards - 2006 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

LaChanze, The Color Purple


winner
Obie Awards - 2005 - Performance

LaChanze, Dessa Rose


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2000 - Outstanding Actress - Musical

La Chanze, The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin


winner
Theatre World Awards - 1991 - Performance

LaChanze, Once on This Island

Tony Awards - 1991 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical

LaChanze , Once on this Island

LaChanze Videos

LaChanze News


Industry Pro Newsletter: Public Theater Crew Joins IATSE & NYC Congestion Pricing Postponed

Starting tonight with a special preview episode, 'The Broadway Cast' with Ben Cameron is coming to BroadwayWorld. Also, we report on the indefinite postponement of NYC's congestion pricing plan. Stories include the Cultural Solidarity Fund's COVID relief efforts, Public Theater crew members joining IATSE.
Video: Playwright Jocelyn Bioh Talks Tony Nominations for JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING

Playwright Jocelyn Bioh appeared on Good Morning America on Friday to talk about the Tony-nominated play Jaja's African Hair Braiding, which recently played at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. The play has been nominated for 5 Tony Awards and will embark on a multi-city tour beginning this September. Watch the full interview!
Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Charlotte d'Amboise & More to Star in REUNION OF BARTERSVILLE Reading

LaChanze Productions has unveiled the cast for an industry reading on June 13 at Pershing Square Signature Center of Reunion in Bartersville. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.
Alicia Keys, Linda Twine, and Maxine Williams Will Be Honored at the 2024 Black Theatre United Gala

Black Theatre United will host its second annual Gala on Monday, September 30, 2024 at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York. Learn more about how to attend here!
Harlem Stage Announces New Artistic Director and CEO

Harlem Stage has announced producer, director, scholar, and arts and cultural executive Dr. Indira Etwaroo as its new Artistic Director and CEO.
Industry Pro Newsletter: Ticketmaster Security Breach

This week we celebrate Baltimore's CJay Philip for her upcoming Tony Award in theater education and LaChanze's launch of a new multimedia production company. On a concerning note, Ticketmaster has experienced a major security breach. Finally, we examine the pressing need for unity in the arts community amidst ongoing discord and funding debates.
LaChanze Launches New Multimedia Production Company LaChanze Productions

Tony Award-winning producer LaChanze is launching her new multimedia production company, LaChanze Productions. Learn more about the company!
New Cocktail Ticket Offered For DCPA's Saturday Night Alive Gala

The Denver Center for the Performing Arts introduces a new cocktail ticket for the annual Saturday Night Alive Gala, offering guests an enhanced experience with exclusive drink options and entertainment.
Photos/Video: Go Inside the Recording Studio with Schmidt, Comer, & Grant Singing 'Throwing in the Towel' from THE OUTSIDERS

Go inside the studio with the cast of The Outsiders as Jason Schmidt, Brent Comer, and Brody Grant record 'Throwing in the Towel.'
THE OUTSIDERS Releases New Block of Tickets Through January 5, 2025

A new block of tickets has been released for the Tony Award-nominated Best Musical The Outsiders for performances through January 5, 2025. Find out how to get tickets to the new dates here!
Photos: Sutton Foster, LaChanze, Eden Espinosa, Joshua Henry, and More Attend the WP Theater Gala

The WP Theater Gala was held last night, celebrating more than 40 years of extraordinary women in theater. BroadwayWorld was there and you can check out photos from the event here!
Jocelyn Bioh and Whitney White Will Appear in Conversation at the Museum of Broadway

Tony Award-nominated playwright Jocelyn Bioh and director  Whitney White will engage in a creative conversation moderated by Susan Kelechi Watson (“This is Us”) to discuss their groundbreaking, five-time Tony Award-nominated “Best Play,” Jaja’s African Hair Braiding.
Joshua Henry, Caissie Levy, Kara Lindsay & More to Join 2024 WP Theater Gala

WP Theater has revealed the presenters and performers for its 2024 Annual Gala. See who is taking part and learn how to purchase tickets.
JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING and More Set For Arena Stage's 2024/25 Season

Arena Stage has announced its 74th season, including a blend of new works and reimagined classics. Learn more about the full season lineup here!
Photos: Behind the Scenes with the 2024 Tony Nominees

The nominees gathered at the Sofitel New York on Thursday to meet the press for the first time and BroadwayWorld was there for the special day. Check out behind the scenes photos of the 2024 nominees below and check out even more of the acting nominees and creative nominees.
Listen: GUTENBERG! THE MUSICAL! Cast Album is Now Available Digitally

The Original Broadway Cast Album of Gutenberg! The Musical! featuring GRAMMY® Award winners and Tony Award® nominees Josh Gad and Andrew Rannells has been released digitally on Friday, May 3. Listen to the album here!
Photos: Meet the 2024 Creative Tony Nominees

The nominees gathered at the Sofitel New York yesterday to meet the press for the first time and BroadwayWorld was there for the special day. Check out photos of the 2024 creative nominees here.
KIMBERLY AKIMBO Plays Final Broadway Performance

Bye-bye, Kimmy! The Tony-winning Best Musical Kimberly Akimbo plays its final Broadway performance at the Booth Theatre.
MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, CABARET & More Lead in Nominations for 2024 Drama League Awards

Read the full list of 2024 Drama League Nominations! Nominations include Cabaret, Merrily We Roll Along and more.
GUTENBERG! THE MUSICAL! Original Broadway Cast Album to be Released in May

The Original Broadway Cast Album of Gutenberg! The Musical! featuring GRAMMY Award winners and Tony Award nominees Josh Gad and Andrew Rannells will be released in May.

LaChanze FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has LaChanze been in?

LaChanze has appeared on Broadway in 10 shows.

How many West End shows has LaChanze been in?

LaChanze has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has LaChanze been nominated for?

LaChanze has been nominated for several prestigious awards throughout her career, including the Distinguished Performance Awards (Drama League Awards) for "Trouble in Mind," Outstanding Actress in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for "Trouble in Mind," Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for "Trouble in Mind," Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for "The Secret Life of Bees," Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for "The Secret Life of Bees," Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for "Summer," Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for "Summer: The Donna Summer Musical," Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for "Summer: The Donna Summer Musical," Best Featured Actress in a Musical (BroadwayWorld Awards) for "If/Then," Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for "The Color Purple," Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for "The Color Purple," Performance (Obie Awards) for "Dessa Rose," Outstanding Actress - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for "The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin," Performance (Theatre World Awards) for "Once on This Island," and Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for "Once on this Island."

What awards has LaChanze won?

LaChanze has won several awards throughout her career, including Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical from the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "The Secret Life of Bees," Best Featured Actress in a Musical from the BroadwayWorld Awards for "If/Then," Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for "The Color Purple," a Performance award at the Obie Awards for "Dessa Rose," Outstanding Actress - Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for "The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin," and a Performance award at the Theatre World Awards for "Once on This Island."

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