Lakisha Jones was the early favorite to win it all on last season of American Idol.  That didn't happen, but Jones advanced far in the season and constantly wowed audiences with her monstrous voice.  Now, she'll get a chance to showcase that voice on Broadway.  The producers of The Color Purple recently announced that Lakisha will be joining the cast on January 9.  She will play the role of Church Soloist on all evening shows and will play the bigger role of Sofia during matinées.

Lakisha's appointment to The Color Purple's cast is being overshadowed by another bit of casting.  Legendary singer Chaka Khan will be filling the role of Sofia during evening shows.  This has more American Idol ties as well, because Fantasia Barrino, former American Idol champion, will be leaving the Broadway show on January 6, which means that her and Lakisha will never share the stage together.  Fantasia has been playing the lead. 

This is a great beginning in the industry for Lakisha Jones.  Frankly, with a voice like hers, Broadway may be where she really sticks.  She might have some commercial potential, but I can't really envision her producing a platinum pop record.  No worries, though.  A career on Broadway is nothing to shake a stick at, and the fact that she'll be working with Chaka Khan is only a good thing.  A very, very good thing.  As for Fantasia, you can expect her to make another foray into mainstream pop. 

In retrospect, the last season of American Idol didn't have more than a couple great singers with great voices.  Lakisha and Melinda Doolittle are probably the only ones who even have the potential for a Broadway career.  In fact, I'd bet that Doolittle ends up doing live theater at some point in the near future.  Unless her album blows up, that is, which, unfortunately, I don't think is too likely.


-Oscar Dahl, BuddyTV Senior Writer
Source: Newsday
(Image Courtesy of FOX)