Here's the latest in the tag the color purple

Robert Cornelius on Dreamgirls

Dreamgirls, the Broadway musical based on the showbiz aspirations of legends like Little Richard, James Brown, Diana Ross and the Supremes, is about as perfect as a musical can be. It lands running with a wonderful percussive bongo beat and takes us on a roller coaster ride through the struggles Black entertainers faced in the past and how they changed the world for the better.

The breakout song “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going” became a #1 hit on the R&B Billboard charts when it was released in 1982 and launched Jennifer Holliday into superstardom.

Our friend musician and actor Robert Cornelius is now playing the role of music producer Marty in the new production of Dreamgirls at the McCarter Theater in Princeton, NJ.

Posted in: Actors, Musicians, Podcast 10 months ago 0

Matt Brown on Beyonce’s Texas Hold ‘Em

Beyoncé’s latest single, ‘Texas Hold ‘Em,’ is a number one hit on the Billboard country charts, making her the first black woman to ever achieve such a milestone. Even Dolly Parton is a big fan and congratulated her on social media. But whenever you break a boundary, there’s bound to be some backlash.

Today comedian Matt Brown joins us to talk about the popularity of Beyonce’s Texas Hold ‘Em, and how popular culture is a powerful tool in breaking down barriers of inequality.

Posted in: Comedians, Podcast 10 months ago 0

Remembering Tina Turner: All the Tea on Tina Turner

In the new documentary film, Tina, the Queen of Rock and Roll has the final word on her growing poor, her relationship with Ike Turner, and how she became one of the world’s most celebrated artists.

The new documentary is gonna get you hooked on Tina all over again.

But despite its in-depth look at the pop icon’s life, many amazing things were briefly touched on or left on the cutting room floor, so today is Tina Turner day, where we look at the life and legacy of this one of a kind diva.

Posted in: Musicians, Podcast 2 years ago 0

The Wiz & Fabulous Black Movies We Love with Rachel Hall

As Black History Month wraps up, we’re celebrating our favorite films featuring Black actors, writers and directors we can’t get enough of. Some of the films are mainstream Hollywood but it’s also the B movies and blacksploitation films that hold a special place in our hearts.

Today comedian Rachel Hall, creator and host of the Hood Novel Book Club Podcast, joins us to celebrate the Black films we love.

Posted in: Comedians, Podcast 3 years ago 0

FOF #2946 – The Tea on Tina Turner

In the new documentary film, Tina, the Queen of Rock and Roll has the final word on her growing poor, her relationship with Ike Turner, and how she became one of the world’s most celebrated artists.

The new documentary is gonna get you hooked on Tina all over again.

But despite its in-depth look at the pop icon’s life, many amazing things were briefly touched on or left on the cutting room floor, so today is Tina Turner day, where we look at the life and legacy of this one of a kind diva.

Posted in: Musicians, Podcast 4 years ago 0

FOF #2727 – When Oprah Dyed the Chicago River The Color Purple

Nowadays it seems all of the popular April Fools Day jokes are just awful Internet memes or brand marketing, leaving us to wonder what happened to all the great pranks of yesteryear?

Today Amanda Cohen joins us to look at April Fool’s Day pranks then and now, from our early days as Feast of Fools where we convinced folks that Oprah was going to dye the Chicago River the Color Purple to when Amanda crushed people’s hearts by announcing she had gotten too famous for this podcast.

Posted in: Comedians, Podcast 6 years ago 1

FOF #2636 – The Color Purple is in the Pink

The musical adaptation of Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize winning novel, The Color Purple, is kicking off its national tour right here in Chicago.

After experiencing trauma after trauma in the first act, we see Celie come of age and not only become her own woman, this Celie gets a lot more woman on woman action than Whoopi Goldberg ever did.

Posted in: Podcast 7 years ago 0

FOF #1345 – The Queen Of Kitsch

You may not be instantly familiar with cultural visionary Allee Willis, but the songs she wrote just may be on your iPod. She’s sold over 50 million records, including Earth Wind & Fire’s “Boogie Wonderland,” The Pointer Sisters’ “Neutron Dance,” and the Pet Shop Boys’ “What Have I Done To Deserve This.”

Listen as Allee Willis shares with us stories of her incredible career, her online Museum of Kitsch and her up-coming collaborations.

Posted in: Artists/Designers, Interviews, Musicians, Podcast 14 years ago 8