Tuesday, August 14, 2012

'Smash' Adds Real 'Dreamgirl' to Play Jennifer Hudson's Mother

Sheryl Lee Ralph Jennifer Hudson Split - P 2012
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Sheryl Lee Ralph and Jennifer Hudson

Jennifer Hudsonis following in Megan Hilty's Smash footsteps in getting a Broadway veteran to play her mother.

Sheryl Lee Ralph, who played Dreamgirls' Deena Jones on Broadway in 1981, has been tapped to guest star on the second season of NBC's Broadway drama, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.

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As first reported by Vulture, Ralph will guest star as Cynthia, the mother to Hudson's Veronica Moore.

Hudson's Veronica is described as a Tony-winning Broadway star who impacts the lives of Karen (Katharine McPhee) and Ivy (Hilty). The former Dreamgirls Oscar winner will appear in multiple episodes of Smash's second season, which is set to return midseason.

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Broadway legend Bernadette Peters played mother to Hilty's Ivy on the first season of Smash, appearing in a pair of episodes to support her daughter as she struggled with the demands of Bombshell, the play at the center of Season 1.

In addition to Dreamgirls, Ralph's stage credits also include 2002's Thoroughly Modern Millie and features Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit. On the small screen, her rsum includes Hunter, Designing Women and Moesha. She's repped by Clear Talent Group and SMS Talent.

Email: Lesley.Goldberg@thr.com; Twitter: @Snoodit

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