Uzo Aduba has been gaining notoriety on the acclaimed Netflix series, Orange Is The New Black. (The series is based on a memoir by Piper Kerman of the same title chronicling her experiences in a New York prison and is for mature audiences.) Aduba plays Suzanne Warren, known by the nickname “Crazy Eyes,” described as a slightly unhinged prisoner who develops an obsession with Piper Chapman, the series’ main character. With the announcement that Aduba will be promoted to a series regular for the second season, we are sure to see more of this theatrical-rooted talent on our screen.
While the rest of the world is only discovering her, theater fans have known and loved Uzo Aduba for a number of years. She moved from Massachusetts to New York to pursue her dream and was seen in New York Theater Workshop’s production of The Seven in early 2006. Gaining some regional credits, including The Kennedy Center’s production of Translations of Xhosa which earned her a Helen Hayes Award nomination, she made her Broadway debut in the short-lived drama Coram Boy as Toby. She later went on to earn two IRNE Award nominations for her work in Dessa Rose (New Repertory Theatre) and A Civil War Christmas (Huntington Theatre Company). Her most recent Broadway appearance was in the revival of Godspell, where she sang “By My Side” (click here to listen to the song on the cast recording). She remained with the production for its entire run.
Last summer, I became a part of the street team for the short film “Sing Along” and helped to spread the word about the film’s Kickstarter fundraising efforts. Uzo Aduba was one of the film’s stars, alongside Tony Award-winner Alice Ripley and Billy Elliot’s Myles Erlick. She played the role of the cafeteria lady and had a solo song in the film. In the fall when the director needed extras to play students, I took the opportunity and got to experience her work first-hand. Aduba was completely captivating on-set, fully belting along to her recorded track. All of the extras stood back behind the camera to watch her work and applauded after each take.
Earlier this year, Aduba appeared in The Public Theater’s production of Venice. Soon after the run ended, Orange Is The New Black premiered on Netflix. The second season is currently shooting and early reports say we will learn more about the story of “Crazy Eyes.” I’m excited to see more of Uzo Aduba on my screen and to see where else her talent will take her.
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