# LaChanze > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/LaChanze > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/LaChanze.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LaChanze > Source revision: 1357037123 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|American actress (born 1961)}} {{BLP sources|date=January 2014}} {{Use mdy dates|date=October 2022}} {{Infobox person | name = LaChanze | image = LaChanze.jpg | caption = LaChanze at the [2022 Tony Awards](/source/2022_Tony_Awards) | birth_name = Rhonda LaChanze Sapp | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1961|12|16}} | birth_place = [St. Augustine](/source/St._Augustine%2C_Florida), [Florida](/source/Florida), U.S. | other_names = LaChanze Sapp, La Chanze Sapp-Gooding, R. Lachanze Sapp | occupation = Actress, theater producer, singer, dancer | spouse = {{plainlist| * {{marriage|Calvin J. Gooding|1998|2001|end=died}} * {{marriage|[Derek Fordjour](/source/Derek_Fordjour)|2005|2014|reason=divorced}} }} | children = 2, including [Celia Rose Gooding](/source/Celia_Rose_Gooding) | years_active = 1986–present | website = {{Official URL}} }} '''LaChanze Sapp-Gooding''', known professionally as '''LaChanze''' ({{IPAc-en|l|ə|ˈ|ʃ|ɑː|n|z}}; born December 16, 1961), is an American actress, theater producer, singer, and dancer. She won a [Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical](/source/Tony_Award_for_Best_Actress_in_a_Musical) in [2006](/source/60th_Tony_Awards) for her role as Celie Harris Johnson in ''[The Color Purple](/source/The_Color_Purple_(musical))''.{{cite web |url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/180699-Anthony-Rapp-Will-Join-Tony-Winners-Idina-Menzel-and-LaChanze-in-Broadway-Bound-Musical-If-Then |title=Anthony Rapp Will Join Tony Winners Idina Menzel and LaChanze in Broadway-Bound Musical ''If/Then'' |last=Gioia |first=Michael |date=August 4, 2013 |website=Playbill |archive-date=August 4, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130804191612/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/180699-Anthony-Rapp-Will-Join-Tony-Winners-Idina-Menzel-and-LaChanze-in-Broadway-Bound-Musical-If-Then}}{{cite web |url=http://www.oprah.com/oprahradio/LaChanze |title=LaChanze |website=Oprah.com |access-date=August 13, 2013 |archive-date=April 29, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130429234420/http://www.oprah.com/oprahradio/LaChanze }} LaChanze has subsequently received four more [Tony Awards](/source/Tony_Awards) for co-producing [''Kimberly Akimbo''](/source/Kimberly_Akimbo_(musical)), ''[Topdog/Underdog](/source/Topdog%2FUnderdog)'', ''[The Outsiders](/source/The_Outsiders_(musical))'', and ''[Purpose](/source/Purpose_(play))''.{{cite web|title='I Added a New Hyphen!' LaChanze Is Now a Two-Time Tony-Winning Producer|url=https://playbill.com/article/i-added-a-new-hyphen-lachanze-is-now-a-two-time-tony-winning-producer|date=June 12, 2023|work=Playbill|access-date=June 22, 2023}} ==Career== LaChanze's first summer job was as a tap dancer in the ensemble of ''[Uptown... It's Hot!](/source/Uptown..._It's_Hot!)'' at the [Tropicana Hotel](/source/Tropicana_Atlantic_City) in [Atlantic City](/source/Atlantic_City), [New Jersey](/source/New_Jersey). The show opened on [Broadway](/source/Broadway_theatre) in January 1986, where LaChanze began her professional career in the theater.{{cite web|url=http://www.ibdb.com/Production/View/4396 |title=Uptown...It's Hot |website=ibdb.com |access-date=March 19, 2016 }} LaChanze played the role of Ti Moune in the [Lynn Ahrens](/source/Lynn_Ahrens) and [Stephen Flaherty](/source/Stephen_Flaherty) musical ''[Once on This Island](/source/Once_on_This_Island)'' in 1990 and received nominations for the [Tony Award as Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical](/source/Tony_Award_for_Best_Featured_Actress_in_a_Musical) at the [45th Tony Awards](/source/45th_Tony_Awards) and the [Drama Desk Award as Outstanding Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical](/source/Drama_Desk_Award_for_Outstanding_Actress_in_a_Musical).{{cite web |url=http://www.masterworksbroadway.com/artist/lachanze |title=LaChanze Career |website=masterworksbroadway.com |access-date=August 29, 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ibdb.com/person.php?id=69942|title=Listing, see Awards|publisher=Internet Broadway Database|access-date=August 29, 2013}} In December 1998, she joined the cast of the [Lynn Ahrens](/source/Lynn_Ahrens), [Stephen Flaherty](/source/Stephen_Flaherty) and [Terrence McNally](/source/Terrence_McNally) Broadway musical ''[Ragtime](/source/Ragtime_(musical))'', replacing [Audra McDonald](/source/Audra_McDonald) in the role of Sarah.{{cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/42620-Bways-Ragtime-To-Get-All-New-Leads-Incl-Rubinstein-Alton-White-LaChanze|title=Bway's ''Ragtime'' To Get All-New Leads, Incl. Rubinstein, Alton White & LaChanze|author-last1=Lefkowitz|author-first1=David|author-last2=Viagas|author-first2=Robert|author-last3=Ehren|author-first3=Christine|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120403030258/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/42620-Bways-Ragtime-To-Get-All-New-Leads-Incl-Rubinstein-Alton-White-LaChanze |archive-date=April 3, 2012|website=playbill.com|date=December 18, 1998}} She played the role of Viveca in the [Playwrights Horizons](/source/Playwrights_Horizons) [Off-Broadway](/source/Off-Broadway) production of the musical ''The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin'', which opened in June 2000.{{cite web|url=http://www.lortel.org/lla_archive/index.cfm?search_by=show&id=152|title=Listing|website=lortel.org|access-date=August 30, 2013}} She received a [Drama Desk](/source/Drama_Desk) nomination for [Outstanding Actress in a Musical](/source/Drama_Desk_Award_for_Outstanding_Actress_in_a_Musical), for her performance.{{cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/60263-2001-Drama-Desk-Winners-Include-Producers-Proof-and-Mnemonic|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020180633/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/60263-2001-Drama-Desk-Winners-Include-Producers-Proof-and-Mnemonic|archive-date=October 20, 2012|title=Drama Desk Winners Include ''Producers'', ''Proof'' and ''Mnemonic''|author-last1=Jones|author-first1=Kenneth|author-last2=Simonson|author-first2=Robert|website=playbill.com|date=May 20, 2001}} LaChanze participated in an Actors Fund of America benefit concert of ''[Funny Girl](/source/Funny_Girl_(musical))'', with many performers portraying the character of [Fanny Brice](/source/Fanny_Brice), in September 2002.{{cite web|author-last=Simonson|author-first=Robert|url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/72118-More-Fannys-LaChanze-Kayden-Murney-Join-Funny-Girl-Concert|title=More Fannys: LaChanze, Kayden, Murney Join Funny Girl Concert|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029203217/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/72118-More-Fannys-LaChanze-Kayden-Murney-Join-Funny-Girl-Concert |archive-date=October 29, 2013|website=playbill.com|date=September 17, 2002}} upright=0.9|thumb|LaChanze performing in 2006 In 2005, LaChanze played Dessa Rose, a runaway slave in the Ahrens and Flaherty musical ''[Dessa Rose](/source/Dessa_Rose_(musical))''. The musical opened Off-Broadway at the [Mitzi Newhouse Theatre](/source/Vivian_Beaumont_Theater) at [Lincoln Center](/source/Lincoln_Center) in March 2005.Simonson, Robert. [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/91239-LaChanze-and-Rachel-York-Begin-Previews-in-Dessa-Rose-at-Mitzi-Newhouse-Feb-17 "LaChanze and Rachel York Begin Previews in 'Dessa Rose' at Mitzi Newhouse, Feb. 17"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212070438/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/91239-LaChanze-and-Rachel-York-Begin-Previews-in-Dessa-Rose-at-Mitzi-Newhouse-Feb-17 |date=December 12, 2013 }} February 17, 2005 LaChanze received an [Obie Award for Distinguished Performance by an Actress](/source/Obie_Award_for_Distinguished_Performance_by_an_Actress) for ''Dessa Rose''.[http://www.villagevoice.com/obies/search "Search 2005"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530010535/http://www.villagevoice.com/obies/search/ |date=May 30, 2013 }} villagevoice.com, accessed August 29, 2013Simonson, Robert. [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/92985-Shanley-Hughes-Culkin-Marvel-OConnell-Among-2005-Obie-Winners "Shanley, Hughes, Culkin, Marvel, O'Connell Among 2005 Obie Winners"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212070436/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/92985-Shanley-Hughes-Culkin-Marvel-OConnell-Among-2005-Obie-Winners |date=December 12, 2013 }} playbill.com, May 16, 2005 LaChanze appeared as Celie Harris Johnson in the Broadway musical ''[The Color Purple](/source/The_Color_Purple_(musical))'', from its opening in 2005 to November 2006.Hernandez, Ernio. [https://archive.today/20130829152112/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/94798-LaChanze-Confirmed-as-Leading-Lady-of-Color-Purple-Musical-Broadway-Cast-Announced "LaChanze Confirmed as Leading Lady of 'Color Purple' Musical; Broadway Cast Announced"] playbill.com, September 7, 2005Hernandez, Ernio. [https://archive.today/20130829152128/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/102815-Tony-Winner-LaChanze-to-End-Her-Run-in-Broadways-The-Color-Purple-Nov-5 "Tony Winner LaChanze to End Her Run in Broadway's 'The Color Purple' Nov. 5"] playbill.com, October 18, 2006 She won the [Tony Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical](/source/Tony_Award_for_Best_Actress_in_a_Musical) for this performance at the [60th Tony Awards](/source/60th_Tony_Awards). In September 2008, LaChanze participated in the [Boston Pops](/source/Boston_Pops) concert, ''Handel's Messiah Rocks'' at [Emerson College](/source/Emerson_College). The performance was filmed by [Public Broadcasting Service](/source/PBS).Gans, Andrew. [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/121065-PBS-to-Film-LaChanze-Spencer-and-Boston-Pops-in-Handels-Messiah-Rocks PBS to Film LaChanze, Spencer and Boston Pops in Handel's Messiah Rocks"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029204954/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/121065-PBS-to-Film-LaChanze-Spencer-and-Boston-Pops-in-Handels-Messiah-Rocks |date=October 29, 2013 }} playbill.com, September 5, 2008 She was in the Off-Broadway production of ''Inked Baby'', written by [Christina Anderson](/source/Christina_Anderson_(playwright)), which opened in March 2009 at Playwrights Horizons Peter Jay Sharp Theater.Jones, Kenneth. [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/127550-Inked-Baby-Starring-LaChanze-Opens-March-23-in-NYC " 'Inked Baby', Starring LaChanze, Opens March 23 in NYC"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029203534/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/127550-Inked-Baby-Starring-LaChanze-Opens-March-23-in-NYC |date=October 29, 2013 }} playbill.com, March 23, 2009 In June and July 2009, she played the role of [Glinda](/source/Glinda) in the [New York City Center](/source/New_York_City_Center) [Encores!](/source/Encores!) staged Summer Stars concert production of ''[The Wiz](/source/The_Wiz)''.{{cite web| last1=Gans |first1=Andrew |last2=Hetrick |first2=Adam | url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/129006-Jones-LaChanze-Arnold-Lewis-Henry-and-More-Will-Join-Ashanti-in-The-Wiz | archive-url=https://archive.today/20130829152052/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/129006-Jones-LaChanze-Arnold-Lewis-Henry-and-More-Will-Join-Ashanti-in-The-Wiz | url-status=dead | archive-date=2013-08-29 |title=Jones, LaChanze, Arnold, Lewis, Henry, and More Will Join Ashanti in The Wiz |work=playbill.com |date=May 7, 2009}} LaChanze published her first picture book, ''Little Diva'', in 2010. She was in the Broadway production of ''[If/Then](/source/If%2FThen)'' in 2014, starring as Kate. In 2018, she appeared in ''[Summer: The Donna Summer Musical](/source/Summer%3A_The_Donna_Summer_Musical)'' on Broadway, playing [Diva Donna](/source/Donna_Summer)/Mary Gaines,{{citation needed|date=August 2025}} for which she received a Tony Award nomination at the [72nd Tony Awards](/source/72nd_Tony_Awards). In 2019, she appeared in ''[A Christmas Carol](/source/A_Christmas_Carol_(2017_play))'' on Broadway, starring as the [Ghost of Christmas Present](/source/Ghost_of_Christmas_Present). In January 2022, LaChanze took a star turn on Broadway in ''[Trouble in Mind](/source/Trouble_in_Mind_(play))'', written by [Alice Childress](/source/Alice_Childress) in 1955. She earned a nomination for the [Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play](/source/Tony_Award_for_Best_Actress_in_a_Play) nomination for her performance as Wiletta Mayer at the [75th Tony Awards](/source/75th_Tony_Awards).{{cite web | url=https://deadline.com/2021/11/trouble-in-mind-broadway-review-lachanze-alice-childress-michael-zegen-1234876184/ | title='Trouble in Mind' Broadway Review: LaChanze Leads Alice Childress Play to Overdue Triumph | date=November 19, 2021 }} In 2022, LaChanze began her career as a Broadway producer. She produced ''[Topdog/Underdog](/source/Topdog%2FUnderdog)'' with [David Stone](/source/David_Stone_(producer)), Rashad V. Chambers, [Marc Platt](/source/Marc_Platt_(producer)), [Debra Martin Chase](/source/Debra_Martin_Chase), and [the Shubert Organization](/source/the_Shubert_Organization).{{cite web | url=https://deadline.com/2022/06/suzan-lori-parks-topdog-underdog-broadway-corey-hawkins-yahya-abdul-mateen-ii-1235045303/ | title='Topdog/Underdog' Returning to Broadway with Corey Hawkins & Yahya Abdul-Mateen II | date=June 14, 2022 }} She also produced ''[Kimberly Akimbo](/source/Kimberly_Akimbo_(musical))'' on Broadway with David Stone, Aaron Glick, Patrick Catullo and [James L. Nederlander](/source/James_L._Nederlander).{{cite web | url=https://deadline.com/2022/02/kimberly-akimbo-broadway-musical-fall-2022-victoria-clark-1234959737/ | title=Acclaimed off Broadway Musical 'Kimberly Akimbo' Plans Move to Broadway with Original Cast | date=February 25, 2022 }} She was nominated for the [Tony Award for Best Musical](/source/Tony_Award_for_Best_Musical) and the [Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play](/source/Tony_Award_for_Best_Revival_of_a_Play) as a producer for ''Kimberly Akimbo'' and ''Topdog/Underdog'' on May 2, 2023. She was announced as a winner for both shows during the [76th Tony Awards](/source/76th_Tony_Awards) telecast on June 11, 2023.{{Cite web |title=Tony Awards Winners: 'Kimberly Akimbo' Takes Best Musical; 'Leopoldstadt' Named Best Play – Complete List |date=June 12, 2023 |url=https://deadline.com/2023/06/2023-tony-award-winners-1235413480/}} In 2022, she launched Tima Productions with friend and former ''Ragtime'' castmate Marylee Fairbanks.{{Cite news |author=Adri Pray |date=August 2, 2024 |title=Marylee Fairbanks, co-producer of award-winning 'The Outsiders,' is a multifaceted force |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/08/02/arts/marylee-fairbanks-the-outsiders-co-producer/ |access-date=2024-08-05 |newspaper=The Boston Globe |language=en-US}} Together they co-produced ''[The Outsiders](/source/The_Outsiders_(musical))'', for which she won another Tony Award for Best Musical at the [77th Tony Awards](/source/77th_Tony_Awards). She also received a nomination for the [Tony Award for Best Play](/source/Tony_Award_for_Best_Play) for [''Jaja's African Hair Brading''](/source/Jaja's_African_Hair_Braiding) at the same ceremony.{{Cite web |date=2024-06-13 |title=5 minutes with a Tony nominee: Producers LaChanze and Jamie Forshaw |url=https://www.broadwaynews.com/5-minutes-with-a-tony-nominee-producers-lachanze-and-jamie-forshaw/ |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=Broadway News |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Culwell-Block |first=Logan |date=June 16, 2024 |title=The Outsiders Wins Best Musical at the 2024 Tony Awards |url=https://playbill.com/article/the-outsiders-wins-best-musical-at-the-2024-tony-awards |website=Playbill}} In 2024 she launched a multimedia company called LC Productions.{{Cite web |last=Huston |first=Caitlin |date=2024-05-29 |title=LaChanze Launches Production Company for Theater and More |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/lachanze-launches-production-company-1235910673/ |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}} == Personal life == LaChanze married securities trader Calvin Gooding in August 1998, two years after they met.{{cite news |title=911 Living Memorial: Calvin J. Gooding |publisher=Voices Center for Resilience |url=https://voicescenter.org/living-memorial/victim/calvin-j-gooding |access-date=2025-03-08 }} Together they had daughters Celia and Zaya, but when LaChanze was eight months pregnant with Zaya, Calvin was killed in the [September 11, 2001 attacks](/source/September_11%2C_2001_attacks). He had been at work at [Cantor Fitzgerald](/source/Cantor_Fitzgerald) in Tower One of the [World Trade Center](/source/World_Trade_Center_(1973%E2%80%932001)).Gordon, Meryl. [http://nymag.com/news/articles/wtc/1year/widows.htm "The Lives Left Behind"] ''[New York](/source/New_York_(magazine))'', accessed March 19, 2016 LaChanze remarried in 2005, to [Derek Fordjour](/source/Derek_Fordjour). They separated in 2013,{{cite news |author=Gioia, Michael |date=2014-06-18 |title="My If/Then Moment": LaChanze Recounts the Divine Intervention Leading Her to the 9/11 Memorial |publisher=Playbill |url=https://playbill.com/article/my-if-then-moment-lachanze-recounts-the-divine-intervention-leading-her-to-the-9-11-memorial-com-322641 |access-date=2025-03-08 }} and finalized their divorce on March 27, 2014, in Westchester County.{{citation needed|date=August 2025}} On September 6, 2002, LaChanze sang the [National Anthem](/source/The_Star-Spangled_Banner) at a joint meeting of Congress in [Federal Hall National Memorial](/source/Federal_Hall_National_Memorial), the first meeting of Congress in New York since 1790.{{Cite web |title=Joint Meeting of Congress |website=C-SPAN |url=https://www.c-span.org/video/?172329-1/joint-meeting-congress |access-date=2024-02-09}}Lehrer, Sari. [http://nymag.com/weddings/album/2006summer/index3.html "Weddings"] ''New York Magazine'', Summer 2006, retrieved August 29, 2013 On May 15, 2014, she performed "[Amazing Grace](/source/Amazing_Grace)" at the dedication of the [National September 11 Memorial & Museum](/source/National_September_11_Memorial_%26_Museum), in tribute to her late husband.{{citation needed|date=August 2025}} In 2019, LaChanze and the elder of her two children, [Celia Rose Gooding](/source/Celia_Rose_Gooding), simultaneously appeared on Broadway, with LaChanze starring in ''A Christmas Carol'' and Gooding starring in ''[Jagged Little Pill](/source/Jagged_Little_Pill_(musical))''.{{Cite web|title=Video: LaChanze & Celia Rose Gooding Are the First Mother/Daughter Duo On Broadway|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/VIDEO-LaChanze-Celia-Rose-Gooding-Are-the-First-MotherDaughter-Duo-On-Broadway-20191220|access-date=December 29, 2019|website=BroadwayWorld.com|language=en}} The two repeated the rare event of mother and child starring in simultaneous Broadway shows, following [Debbie Reynolds](/source/Debbie_Reynolds) and [Carrie Fisher](/source/Carrie_Fisher) in 1983.{{Cite news |last=Haun |first=Harry |date=2020-04-01 |title=From the Archives: When Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher Simultaneously Starred on Broadway |work=[Playbill](/source/Playbill) |url=https://playbill.com/article/when-debbie-reynolds-and-carrie-fisher-simultaneously-starred-on-broadway |access-date=2023-08-23 |quote="Now that Raquel Welch has left Woman of the Year, the part has passed along—with Einstein-like logic—to the ever-peppy Debbie Reynolds, who arrived in that title role last month almost by divine right. … [Simultaneously] her daughter, Carrie Fisher, is appearing on the other side of Broadway, at the Music Box in Agnes of God, which, like her mom's, is a Tony-winning role. … 'The two of us on Broadway at the same time—it's a whole new thought for me,' Debbie admits."}}{{Cite web |title=Agnes of God – Broadway Play – Original |url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/agnes-of-god-4166#Replacements |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=Internet Broadway Database |quote="Replacements: Carrie Fisher; Agnes; Jan 03, 1983 - Apr 10, 1983"}}{{Cite web |title=Woman of the Year – Broadway Musical – Original |url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/woman-of-the-year-4104#Replacements |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=Internet Broadway Database |quote=Replacements: Debbie Reynolds; Tess Harding; Feb 13, 1983 - Mar 13, 1983}} ==Acting credits== Sources: * ''The New York Times''[https://web.archive.org/web/20131030001735/http://movies.nytimes.com/person/363116/LaChanze-Sapp/filmography Filmography] ''The New York Times'', accessed August 29, 2013 * TCM[https://web.archive.org/web/20131031024001/http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/1397108%7C0/Lachanze-Sapp/#filmography Filmography] tcm.com, accessed August 29, 2013 === Film === {| class="wikitable sortable" !Year !Title !Role !Notes |- | rowspan="2" |1992 |''[My New Gun](/source/My_New_Gun)'' |Kelly Jane | |- |''[Leap of Faith](/source/Leap_of_Faith_(film))'' |Georgette | |- |1993 |''[For Love or Money](/source/For_Love_or_Money_(1993_film))'' |Nora | |- | rowspan="2" |1997 |''David Searching'' |God Truth | |- |''[Hercules](/source/Hercules_(1997_film))'' |[Terpsichore](/source/Terpsichore) |Voice role |- |2002 |''[Heartbreak Hospital](/source/Heartbreak_Hospital)'' |Lisa | |- |2006 |''Black Sorority Project: The Exodus'' |{{N/a}} |Executive producer |- | rowspan="2" |2009 |''Handel's Messiah Rocks'' |Singer | |- |''[Breaking Upwards](/source/Breaking_Upwards)'' |Maggie | |- |2011 |''[The Help](/source/The_Help_(film))'' |Rachel Jefferson | |- |2013 |''[Side Effects](/source/Side_Effects_(2013_film))'' |Wards Islands Desk Nurse | |- | rowspan="3" |2018 |''[Diane](/source/Diane_(2018_film))'' |Jennifer | |- |''Melinda'' |Melinda LaCroix | |- |''Knights in Newark'' |The Witch/Mrs. Conroy |Short film |- | rowspan="2" |2023 |''[Birth/Rebirth](/source/Birth%2FRebirth)'' |Colleen | |- |''[Genie](/source/Genie_(2023_film))'' |Grandma Patty | |- |2025 |''[Highest 2 Lowest](/source/Highest_2_Lowest)'' |Det. Bell | |- |2026 |''[By Any Means](/source/By_Any_Means_(2026_film))'' |{{TBA}} |Post-production |} === Television === {| class="wikitable sortable" !Year !Title !Role !Notes |- |1988–1989 |''[The Cosby Show](/source/The_Cosby_Show)'' |Sylvia |2 episodes |- |1993 |''For Love and Glory'' |Tanzi |Television film |- |1994 |''[The Cosby Mysteries](/source/The_Cosby_Mysteries)'' |Dr. Weeks |2 episodes |- |1996 |''[New York Undercover](/source/New_York_Undercover)'' |Mariah Barton |Episode: "Tough Love" |- |1997 |''[Total Security](/source/Total_Security_(TV_series))'' |Wanda Robitaille |Episode: "Look Who's Stalking" |- |1998 |''[Hercules: The Animated Series](/source/Hercules%3A_The_Animated_Series)'' |[Terpsichore](/source/Terpsichore) (voice) |19 episodes |- | rowspan="3" |1999 |''[The Gregory Hines Show](/source/The_Gregory_Hines_Show)'' |Julia |Episode: "Sister-in-Law, Sister-in-Law" |- |''[Hercules: Zero to Hero](/source/Hercules%3A_Zero_to_Hero)'' |Tepsichore (voice) |Television film |- |''[Sex and the City](/source/Sex_and_the_City)'' |Hostess |Episode: "[Ex and the City](/source/Ex_and_the_City)" |- |2000–2022 |''[Law & Order: Special Victims Unit](/source/Law_%26_Order%3A_Special_Victims_Unit)'' |Ms. Pivik/Amber/Rosa Freeman |3 episodes |- |2003 |''[Lucy](/source/Lucy_(2003_film))'' |Harriett |Television film |- |2011 |''[One Life to Live](/source/One_Life_to_Live)'' |Yvonne Moreau |3 episodes |- |2015 |''The Battery's Down'' |TiMoune |Episode: "Reunion" |- | rowspan="2" |2016 |''[Person of Interest](/source/Person_of_Interest_(TV_series))'' |Mona |2 episodes |- |''[The Night Of](/source/The_Night_Of)'' |Mrs. Stone |Episode: "Subtle Beast" |- |2018 |''[Pinkalicious & Peterrific](/source/Pinkalicious_%26_Peterrific)'' |Blue Fairy (voice) |Episode: "Fairy House/Pinkabotta & Peterbotta" |- |2019 |''[The Village](/source/The_Village_(2019_TV_series))'' |Wendy Parker |Episode: "Yes or No" |- |2019–2020 |''[The Good Fight](/source/The_Good_Fight)'' |Julius' Wife |2 episodes |- | rowspan="2" |2021 |''[The Blacklist](/source/The_Blacklist)'' |Anne Foster |4 episodes |- |''[The Underground Railroad](/source/The_Underground_Railroad_(miniseries))'' |Ms. Reva |Episode: "Chapter 8: Indiana Autumn" |- |2022–2023 |''[East New York](/source/East_New_York_(TV_series))'' |Simone Bentley |3 episodes |- |2022–2024 |''[Firebuds](/source/Firebuds)'' |Jenna Jones (voice) |11 episodes |- |2023 |''[Gossip Girl](/source/Gossip_Girl_(2021_TV_series))'' |Naomi |Episode: "I Am Gossip" |- |2024 |''[Dee & Friends in Oz](/source/Dee_%26_Friends_in_Oz)'' |Grandma / Miss Emerald (voice) |17 episodes |} ===Theatre=== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Role ! Venue ! Notes |- |1985 |rowspan="2"|''[Uptown... It's Hot!](/source/Uptown..._It's_Hot!)'' |rowspan="2"|Tap Dancer |[Tropicana Hotel](/source/Tropicana_Atlantic_City), Atlantic City | |- |1986 |[Lunt-Fontanne Theatre](/source/Lunt-Fontanne_Theatre), [Broadway](/source/Broadway_theatre) |Broadway debut |- |1987 |''[Dreamgirls](/source/Dreamgirls)'' |Ensemble |[Ambassador Theatre](/source/Ambassador_Theatre_(New_York_City)), Broadway |(u/s Deena Jones, Michelle Morris) |- |1990 |rowspan="2"|''[Once on This Island](/source/Once_on_This_Island)'' |rowspan="2"|Ti Moune |[Playwrights Horizons](/source/Playwrights_Horizons), [Off-Broadway](/source/Off-Broadway) | |- |1990–1991 |[Booth Theatre](/source/Booth_Theatre), Broadway | |- |1991 |''From the Mississippi Delta'' |Various |[Cincinnati Playhouse](/source/Cincinnati_Playhouse_in_the_Park), Cincinnati | |- | rowspan="3" |1995 |''Spunk'' |Missy Mae/Delia |John W. Huntington Theatre, Hartford | |- |''[Out of This World](/source/Out_of_This_World_(musical))'' |Chloe |[New York City Center](/source/New_York_City_Center) [Encores!](/source/Encores!) | |- |''[Company](/source/Company_(musical))'' |Marta |[Criterion Center Stage Right](/source/Olympia_Theatre_(New_York_City)), Broadway | |- |1996 |''Comfortable Shoes'' |Performer |[Paper Mill Playhouse](/source/Paper_Mill_Playhouse), Millburn | |- |1997 |rowspan=3|''[Ragtime](/source/Ragtime_(musical))'' |rowspan=3|Sarah |[Shubert Theatre](/source/Shubert_Theatre_(Los_Angeles)), Los Angeles | |- |rowspan=2|1998 |[Meridian Arts Centre](/source/Meridian_Arts_Centre) | |- |[Nederlander Theatre](/source/Nederlander_Theatre_(Chicago)) | |- |1999 |''[The Vagina Monologues](/source/The_Vagina_Monologues)'' |Performer |[Westside Theatre](/source/Westside_Theatre), Off-Broadway | |- |1999–2000 |''Ragtime'' |Sarah |[Ford Center for the Performing Arts](/source/Lyric_Theatre_(New_York_City%2C_1998)). Broadway |Replacement |- |2000 |''The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin'' |Viveca |Playwrights Horizons, Off-Broadway | |- | rowspan="2" |2002 |''[Funny Girl](/source/Funny_Girl_(musical))'' |[Fanny Brice](/source/Fanny_Brice) |[New Amsterdam Theatre](/source/New_Amsterdam_Theatre), Broadway |New York Actor's Benefit Fund Concert |- |''Once on This Island'' |Ti Moune |[Winter Garden Theatre](/source/Winter_Garden_Theatre), Broadway |Broadway reunion concert |- | rowspan="2" |2004 |''[The Color Purple](/source/The_Color_Purple_(musical))'' |Celie Harris Johnson |[Alliance Theatre](/source/Alliance_Theatre), Atlanta |Out-of-town tryout |- |''[Baby](/source/Baby_(musical))'' |Pam |Paper Mill Playhouse, Millburn | |- |2005 |''[Dessa Rose](/source/Dessa_Rose_(musical))'' |Dessa Rose |[Mitzi E. Newhouse Theatre](/source/Vivian_Beaumont_Theater), Off-Broadway | |- |2005–2006 |''The Color Purple'' |Celie Harris Johnson |[Broadway Theatre](/source/Broadway_Theatre_(53rd_Street)), Broadway | |- | rowspan="2" |2009 |''Inked Baby'' |Performer |Playwrights Horizons, Off-Broadway | |- |''[The Wiz](/source/The_Wiz)'' |[Glinda](/source/Glinda) |New York City Center Encores! | |- |2012 |''Handel's Messiah Rocks: A Joyful Noise'' |Performer |National tour | |- |2013 |rowspan="3"|''[If/Then](/source/If%2FThen)'' |rowspan="3"|Kate |[National Theatre](/source/National_Theatre_(Washington%2C_D.C.)), Washington, D.C. |Out-of-town tryout |- |2014–2015 |[Richard Rodgers Theatre](/source/Richard_Rodgers_Theatre), Broadway | |- |2015–2016 |National tour | |- |2016 |''[Cabin in the Sky](/source/Cabin_in_the_Sky_(musical))'' |Wanda |New York City Center Encores! | |- |2017 |rowspan="2"|''[Summer: The Donna Summer Musical](/source/Summer%3A_The_Donna_Summer_Musical)'' |rowspan="2"|[Diva Donna](/source/Donna_Summer)/Mary Gaines |[La Jolla Playhouse](/source/La_Jolla_Playhouse), La Jolla |Out-of-town tryout |- |2018 |Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, Broadway | |- | rowspan=2| 2019 |''[The Secret Life of Bees](/source/The_Secret_Life_of_Bees_(musical))''{{cite news |title='The Secret Life Of Bees' Takes On A 2nd Life As Musical Theater |url=https://www.npr.org/2019/07/13/741307427/the-secret-life-of-bees-takes-on-a-second-life-as-musical-theater |newspaper=NPR.org |access-date=June 20, 2020}} | August Boatwright | Atlantic Theater Company, Off-Broadway | |- |''[A Christmas Carol](/source/A_Christmas_Carol_(2017_play))'' |[Ghost of Christmas Present](/source/Ghost_of_Christmas_Present) / Mrs. Fezziwig |[Lyceum Theatre](/source/Lyceum_Theatre_(Broadway)), Broadway | |- |2021 |[''Trouble in Mind''](/source/Trouble_in_Mind_(play)) |Wiletta |[American Airlines Theatre](/source/Todd_Haimes_Theatre), Broadway | |- |2024 |''[Gutenberg! The Musical!](/source/Gutenberg!_The_Musical!)'' |Producer |[James Earl Jones Theatre](/source/James_Earl_Jones_Theatre), Broadway |One night only |- |2026 |''[Romeo & Juliet](/source/Romeo_%26_Juliet)'' |Lady Capulet |[Delacorte Theatre](/source/Delacorte_Theatre) | |} === Video games === {| class="wikitable sortable" !Year !Title !Role |- |1997 |''[Hercules](/source/Disney's_Hercules_(video_game))'' |[Terpsichore](/source/Terpsichore) |} == Discography == *''[Once On This Island](/source/Once_On_This_Island) (Original Broadway Cast Recording)'', 1990 *''[Disney's Princess Favorites](/source/Disney's_Princess_Favorites)'', featured artist, 2002 *''[Dessa Rose](/source/Dessa_Rose_(musical)) (off-Broadway Cast Recording)'', 2005 *''[The Color Purple](/source/The_Color_Purple_(musical)) (Original Broadway Cast Recording)'', 2006 *''Disney Collection 1'', featured artist, 2006 *''The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin (Studio Cast Recording)'', 2007 *''Handel's Messiah Rocks: A Joyful Noise'', featured artist, 2009 *''Nice Fighting You: A 30th Anniversary Celebration Live at [54 Below](/source/54_Below)'', featured on four songs, 2014 *''[If/Then](/source/If%2FThen) (Original Broadway Cast Recording)'', 2014 *''[Summer: The Donna Summer Musical](/source/Summer%3A_The_Donna_Summer_Musical) (Original Broadway Cast Recording)'', 2018 ==Concerts== *September 6, 2002 - [Federal Hall National Memorial](/source/Federal_Hall_National_Memorial) *2008 - ''Handel's Messiah Rocks'', [Emerson College](/source/Emerson_College) *Dec 1 & 2, 2008 - [Joe's Pub](/source/Joe's_Pub) *December 5, 2010 - [Playhouse Square Center](/source/Playhouse_Square_Center) *December 16, 2012 - [Birdland](/source/Birdland_(New_York_jazz_club)) *May 15, 2014 - [National September 11 Memorial and Museum](/source/National_September_11_Memorial) *February 13, 2015 - [Kennedy Center](/source/Kennedy_Center) *2016/17 - Feeling Good Tour ==Accolades== {| class="wikitable" |- align="center" ! style="background:#B0C4DE"| Year ! style="background:#B0C4DE"| Award ! style="background:#B0C4DE"| Category ! style="background:#B0C4DE"| Nominated work ! style="background:#B0C4DE"| Result |- | rowspan="3"|1991 | [Theatre World Award](/source/Theatre_World_Award) | Outstanding Broadway Debut | rowspan="3"| ''[Once on This Island](/source/Once_on_This_Island)'' | {{won}} |- | [Tony Award](/source/45th_Tony_Awards) | [Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical](/source/Tony_Award_for_Best_Featured_Actress_in_a_Musical) | {{nom}} |- | rowspan="3"|[Drama Desk Award](/source/Drama_Desk_Award) | rowspan="3"|[Outstanding Actress in a Musical](/source/Drama_Desk_Award_for_Outstanding_Actress_in_a_Musical) | {{nom}} |- | 2001 | ''The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin'' | {{nom}} |- | rowspan="2"| 2005 | rowspan="2"| ''[Dessa Rose](/source/Dessa_Rose_(musical))'' | {{nom}} |- | [Obie Award](/source/Obie_Award) | [Performance](/source/Obie_Award_for_Distinguished_Performance_by_an_Actress) | {{won}} |- | rowspan="4"| 2006 | [Tony Award](/source/60th_Tony_Awards) | [Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical](/source/Tony_Award_for_Best_Actress_in_a_Musical) | rowspan="4"|''[The Color Purple](/source/The_Color_Purple_(musical))'' | {{won}} |- | rowspan="3"| Broadway.com Audience Award | Favorite Actress in a Musical | {{won}} |- | Favorite Diva Performance | {{won}} |- | Favorite Onstage Pair (w/ [Elisabeth Withers](/source/Elisabeth_Withers)) | {{nom}} |- | 2010 | [Chicago / Midwest Emmy Award](/source/Chicago_%2F_Midwest_Emmy_Awards){{cite web|url=https://chicagoemmyonline.org/files/2021/05/2010-Chgo-Emmy-Recipients.pdf|title=2009-2010 Emmy Winners: Chicago/Midwest Chapter|publisher=[National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences](/source/National_Academy_of_Television_Arts_and_Sciences)|page=7|access-date=June 23, 2023}} | Outstanding Achievement for Individual Excellence on Camera: Programming – Performer | ''Handel's Messiah Rocks'' | {{won}} |- | 2014 | Broadway.com Audience Award | Favorite Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical | ''[If/Then](/source/If%2FThen)'' | {{won}} |- | rowspan="2"|2018 |[Tony Award](/source/72nd_Tony_Awards) | Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical | rowspan="2"|''[Summer: The Donna Summer Musical](/source/Summer%3A_The_Donna_Summer_Musical)'' |{{nominated}} |- |Drama Desk Award |Outstanding Actress in a Musical |{{nominated}} |- |2019 |[AUDELCO Awards](/source/AUDELCO){{cite web |last1=Meyer |first1=Dan |title=The Secret Life of Bees, Much Ado About Nothing Lead 2019 AUDELCO's VIV Award Nominations |url=https://www.playbill.com/article/the-secret-life-of-bees-much-ado-about-nothing-lead-2019-audelcos-viv-award-nominations |website=Playbill |date=October 15, 2019 |access-date=June 20, 2020}} | Lead Actress in a Musical | rowspan=4| ''[The Secret Life of Bees](/source/The_Secret_Life_of_Bees_(musical))'' |{{won}} |- | rowspan=4| 2020 | [Lucille Lortel Awards](/source/Lucille_Lortel_Awards){{cite web |title=2020 Lucille Lortel Awards Nominations |url=https://www.lortelaward.com/2020 |website=Lortel Award |access-date=June 20, 2020 |archive-date=October 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019162435/https://www.lortelaward.com/2020 }} | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical | {{nom}} |- | Drama Desk Award{{cite web |title='The Inheritance,' 'Strange Loop,' 'Moulin Rouge' Among Drama Desk Award Winners |url=https://variety.com/2020/legit/news/drama-desk-awards-2020-moulin-rouge-winners-1234634249/ |website=Variety |date=June 14, 2020 |access-date=June 20, 2020}} | [Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical](/source/Drama_Desk_Award_for_Outstanding_Featured_Actress_in_a_Musical) |{{nom}} |- | rowspan=2| [Antonyo Awards](/source/Antonyo_Awards){{cite web |last1=Mcphee |first1=Ryan |title=Here Are the Winners of Broadway Black's Inaugural Antonyo Awards |url=https://www.playbill.com/article/here-are-the-winners-of-broadway-blacks-inaugural-antonyo-awards |website=Playbill |date=June 20, 2020 |access-date=June 20, 2020}} | Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical Off-Broadway |{{won}} |- | Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Play on Broadway | ''[A Christmas Carol](/source/A_Christmas_Carol_(2017_play))'' | {{nom}} |- | rowspan="3" |2022 |[Tony Award](/source/75th_Tony_Awards) |[Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play](/source/Tony_Award_for_Best_Actress_in_a_Play) | rowspan="3" |[''Trouble in Mind''](/source/Trouble_in_Mind_(play)) |{{nom}} |- |[Outer Critics Circle Awards](/source/Outer_Critics_Circle_Awards){{Cite web|title=71st Outer Critics Circle Awards|url=https://outercritics.org/2022/05/17/occ-2021-2022-award-winners/|access-date=May 17, 2022|website=Outer Critics Circle Awards|language=en}} | Outstanding Actress in a Play |{{won}} |- |[Drama League Award](/source/Drama_League_Award) |[Distinguished Performance Award](/source/Drama_League_Distinguished_Performance_Award) |{{Nominated}} |- | rowspan="2" |2023 | rowspan="2" |[Tony Award](/source/76th_Tony_Awards) |[Best Musical](/source/Tony_Award_for_Best_Musical) |[''Kimberly Akimbo''](/source/Kimberly_Akimbo_(musical)) |{{Won}} |- |[Best Revival of a Play](/source/Tony_Award_for_Best_Revival_of_a_Play) |''[Topdog/Underdog](/source/Topdog%2FUnderdog)'' |{{Won}} |- | rowspan="2" |2024 | rowspan="2" |[Tony Award](/source/77th_Tony_Awards) |Best Musical |[''The Outsiders''](/source/The_Outsiders_(musical)) |{{Won}} |- |[Best Play](/source/Tony_Award_for_Best_Play) |''[Jaja's African Hair Braiding](/source/Jaja's_African_Hair_Braiding)'' |{{Nom}} |- | rowspan="2" |2025 | rowspan="2" |[Tony Award](/source/78th_Tony_Awards) |Best Musical |[''Buena Vista Social Club''](/source/Buena_Vista_Social_Club_(musical)) |{{nom}} |- |Best Play |[''Purpose''](/source/Purpose_(play)) |{{won}} |} ==References== {{Reflist|30em}} ==External links== * {{IBDB name}} * {{IMDb name}} * {{iobdb name}} * [https://soundcloud.com/american-theatre-wing/episode90 LaChanze] - ''Downstage Center'' interview at [American Theatre Wing.org](/source/American_Theatre_Wing) {{TonyAward MusicalLeadActress 2001–2025}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Lachanze}} Category:1961 births Category:20th-century African-American actresses Category:20th-century American actresses Category:21st-century African-American actresses Category:21st-century American actresses Category:Actresses from Connecticut Category:Actresses from Florida Category:20th-century African-American women singers Category:20th-century American women singers Category:20th-century American singers Category:American women singers Category:American musical theatre actresses Category:Living people Category:Morgan State University alumni Category:People from St. Augustine, Florida Category:Theatre World Award winners Category:Tony Award winners Category:University of the Arts (Philadelphia) alumni Category:American women theatre managers and producers Category:Broadway theatre producers Category:American musical theatre producers --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [LaChanze](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LaChanze) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LaChanze?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.