Jennifer Hudson wins rave reviews for The Color Purple

Jennifer Hudson has won rave reviews for her Broadway debut in a stage adaptation of The Color Purple, with critics hailing her performance as "exquisite" and "radiant".

The singer/actress stars in the musical, based on Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name, which opened at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theater in New York City on Thursday (10Dec15).

She plays singer Shug Avery, the role made famous by Margaret Avery in the 1985 film adaptation, and Jennifer has won over critics with her interpretation.

"Jennifer Hudson is radiant as the love machine Shug Avery," write Variety's Marilyn Stasio. "Hudson, gorgeous to look at and blessed with that incredible voice, is perfectly cast as the voluptuous sexpot..."

David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter calls Jennifer's singing "exquisite", adding, "The headline news here is the Broadway debut of Jennifer Hudson... How is she? Well, Hudson might not yet quite match the assurance in dramatic scenes of the cast's more seasoned stage performers, but with that voice, nobody's going to care. Her vocals are sensational - luscious and full-bodied, with astonishing control."

"Best known as a recording artist... Ms. Hudson radiates a lush, supple stage presence that is echoed by her velvet voice," writes Ben Brantley of The New York Times, and Matt Windman of amNewYork adds, "Hudson is fully authoritative and altogether fantastic in the diva role."

Before taking to the stage for her opening night performance, Jennifer posted pictures of the show on her Instagram.com account, and added, "I couldn't imagine taking this journey with anyone else! God knew what he as doing ! I'm so proud of u (sic) all and honored to share the stage with you!... Happy opening night ! We are here #colorpurple (sic)."

The new production of the stage show boasts Oprah Winfrey as a producer. She previously earned an Oscar nomination for her acting debut in Steven Spielberg's 1985 movie version of The Color Purple.