Reviews For FANTASIA in COLOR PURPLE- Page 6

[Joshua488]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 1:23am

I saw Fantasia at the Saturday matinee. I'll admit, I was anxious to see her as Celie, but I was not expecting a great performance.

Fantasia really surprised me. She gave a very natural performance. I could tell that she was legitimately feeling what Celie was feeling. I think she was really able to tap into the character and give a very honest performance. I enjoyed her very much and I think she gave a wonderful and very smart performance.

AngusN, I do not believe that any of the songs were lowered to fit her voice. I am pretty sure that she sang everything in their original keys. I am usually able to tell if a song is in a different key as soon as it starts and, judging by how often I see the show and listen to the cast recording, I probably would have noticed if the songs were lower.

If you're talking about the high note on the line "I'm gonna sing out," that melody was altered by LaChanze herself. She sang the high note on the cast recording, but I always heard her sing the alternate melody live. Don't blame Fantasia. Updated On: 4/16/07 at 01:23 AM

[autoprt]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 2:53am

marie2,
good comment. i still laugh sometimes about the remark hoping this does not turn into a forum for you all is be haters comments.
the reviews here have been been fair without turning into an idol forum as feared. its good to see both sides can coexist.

[toomeytwopiece]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 3:14am

I think it is AMAZING that this girl is kicking butt!!! I can't wait to see her. I love that people say that she shouldn't be doing this because there are others who don't have the experience.

Well, that might be a fact, but there also remains the fact that she survived on AI long enough to earn herself quite a nice career so far. She can't be THAT naive... this business, and moreso the music business, are NOT easy, and she can't be foolish. Sure, she has a built in audience, but she has something pretty special, and we should be glad of it.

Congrats to her, and to everyone who will be able to see her perform. It's a rare pleasure.

[sideshow13]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 4:57am

This is in regards to the person who claimed that they lowered the high notes for Fantasia.

If you're talking about the high note when Celie sings "I'm gonna' SING out..." towards the end of "I'm Here", that's generally how the performer playing Celie sings it on stage. The high note that Lachanze sings was only on the recording...and Fantasia definitely sang it in the same key on Oprah AND American Idol.

[dream on]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 6:27am

Thanks for the Great review!! I agree the duet between Elisabeth and Fantasia is beautiful!! It really feels like a love song when they sing it.

Im glad you enjoyed the show as much as I did. Its nice to see all the reviewers saying basically the same thing. Fantasia lives the part.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 10:43am

Not to "threadjack" or get off topic, but also wanted to give kudos to NaTasha Yvette Williams as Sofia. Not sure if its just that Sofia is just a great part to play, but my guess is that she would have received a Tony Nom had she been with the original cast. Felicia P. Fields was amazing. Felt the same about Ms. Williams !!

[Testing1232]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 10:46am

<< and Fantasia definitely sang it in the same key on Oprah AND American Idol. >>

That could definitely be the case, but it definitely sounded different last night.

As a matter of fact, a number of the songs seemed to be slowed down a bit (which I happen to love... songs seemed to have more meaning) - Shug's "The Color Purple" definitely seemed to be slowed down a bit.

[Virgo]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 5:05pm

CP saw a jump of $365,933.00 for fantasia's first week (over the previous week). I guess that puts away the rumor that the 6.5 million advance sales were "mainly" due to Oprah. If they were because of Oprah the box wouldn't have jumped when fantasia took the stage, it would have jumped before fantasia even hit the stage.

[craftymarley]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 6:24pm

I think that Fantasia is great in the role- and wanted to add that the Color Purple posters signed by Fantasia and the rest of the Broadway company that are being sold for Broadway Cares are a remarkable $100 each and evidently they are in such demand that the cast can't sign them fast enough. So Fantasia's arrival is not only helping sell tickets, but also helping to raise money for charity.

[NYCblurb]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 11:36pm

Saw Fantasia - have seen TCP eight times - and it was glorious.

The show was in fine shape, and Elizabeth was as always, terrific.

Fantasia nailed the role. She seems really nice too.

[emo_geek]

Posted: 4/17/07 at 2:02am

Can anyone give a review of the Stage Door scene?

[Joshua488]

Posted: 4/17/07 at 2:43am

There were more people than usual at the stage door, but it wasn't completely ridiculous. They have arranged the barricades so that people can stand on either side of the door. You must stand in the barricades or keep walking down the street; loitering outside of the barricades is prohibited. I went to the stage door on Saturday evening and there was even a police escort. Fantasia stuck around and chatted, took photos and signed for every single person that waited. She was more than gracious.

[Des1302]

Posted: 4/23/07 at 3:43pm

I've seen the the color purple with and without Fantasia and I must say it was much better with her. No disrespect to the understudy I seen when I went but Fantasia sings those songs so well that it just touches your soul. I seen the show already and was still emotional connected as if I never seen it before. My hat goes off to Fantasia. I thank my wonderful wife for taking me to see it again for my Bday.. I may just take her to see it again for hers.. ha ha Great show!!!

[Testing1232]

Posted: 4/23/07 at 5:35pm

My wife went to the matinee yesterday, and is still going on about how good Fantasia is as Celie !! I told her, but she didnt believe me--- so, told her to check her out for herself--- she is now a believer !!!

[Mandi Moo]

Posted: 4/23/07 at 5:40pm

I saw the matinee on Saturday, and I thought that she was great. I've never seen the movie or anything, so I knew nothing about the show going in...which led to some confusion at times, but overall I really enjoyed myself.

Though...I could've done without the people yelling "Sing it girl!" whenever she opened her mouth...

[Testing1232]

Posted: 4/23/07 at 5:44pm

When I saw the show last week, the entire "Hell No" was repeated after every line !!!

[AprilRain]

Posted: 4/23/07 at 11:55pm

I had the great privilege of seeing Fantasia in the Color Purple during her opening night on April 10th - - and then seeing her again on April 19th. Fantasia's performance and the entire production was deeply moving to me - - so much so that I almost immediately purchased tickets to see the show again - bringing my mother to see it on April 19th. The crowd energy on opening night was incredible and Fantasia's performance was truly inspired. It was my most exciting night on Broadway and the experience was overwhelming. Fantasia embodies the character of Cellie and she should be mightly proud of herself. When I saw her on the 19th I was floored that her peformance was just (if not more) emotional than opening night. Her daughter and mother were seeing the show on the 19th for the first time and I wonder whether that was part of it. She cried through nearly the entire play at all the right times - making me cry too. At the end of the show I just had to wait to see her at the stage door and tell her how great she was doing in the show and that God was shining right through her. She conveyed to me that she is reaching back and bringing her own tough experiences to her performance in the hope that she might inspire anyone in the audience who has had similar experiences. My prayer for her is that she continues to be inspired and that her performances breath hope and healing into all who watch.

If you have not yet seen this show - - run, do not walk to theater and get yourself a ticket. The entire cast is tremendous and seeing them perform is worth every penny!

April

[hilltop]

Posted: 4/24/07 at 1:28pm

Michael Musto gives her a rave review:

The FANTASIA BARRINO/JENNIFER HUDSON battle royale is finally allowing for a more even sharing of the spoils. To recap: First, Barrino beat Hudson on American Idol; then Hudson edged out Barrino for Dreamgirls; and now Barrino conquers Broadway in The Color Purple, the gorgeously uplifting adaptation I'm not ashamed to say I voted for as Best Musical last year. Putting one more mass-appeal TV star on Broadway could have easily amounted to just another cheesy bit of stunt casting, but in this case it's a piece of sheer genius that totally REBA MCENTIREs up the show. Less passively shellshocked than her predecessor, Fantasia fully inhabits the role, serving up pathos, defiance, humor, and sass as the woman who feels God abandoned her but who learns to fully love herself. (Well, OPRAH produced it.) She's triumphant! The only booby prize goes to the dad in the audience who grabbed his kids and ran after the loving lesbian kiss; I guess the rape, incest, and physical abuse were fine, though.
http://www.villagevoice.com/nyclife/0717,musto,76437,15.html

[Interested Bystander]

Posted: 4/26/07 at 1:51pm

Footage on Fantasia and interviews

http://www.broadway.com/Gen/Buzz_Video.aspx?ci=547095

[hilltop]

Posted: 5/11/07 at 1:10am

Playbill has an interview with Fantasia and this about her performance as Celie:

Anyone who is lucky enough to catch her performance will see that Fantasia brings her dynamic vocal prowess and a touching sincerity to the role that was created on Broadway by Tony winner La Chanze. In fact, the singer is currently offering one of the most exciting moments on any Broadway stage when she delivers her second-act epiphany, "I'm Here." Fantasia builds the song to stunning climax of vocal and emotional power, and the audience — at least the night this writer attended — responded with a thunderous and lengthy ovation.

link Updated On: 5/17/07 at 01:10 AM

[musiclover]

Posted: 5/11/07 at 9:46am

AOL Loves Fantasia in The Color Purple


FANTASIA: 'Purple' Reign
Posted May 9th 2007
Filed under: Entertainment Newswire
By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices

When I saw Fantasia Barrino belt out Prince's classic ballad 'Purple Rain,' during a sold out set at Madison Square Garden I didn't think about in the antonymic sense.

But the 'American Idol' winner is exemplifying quite a 'reign' on The Great White Way with her star turn the Oprah Winfrey-blessed hit musical 'The Color Purple.'

Since she first took the stage of thehumongous Broadway Theatre on April 10, the High Point, North Carolina native has been mesmerizing legions of theatergoers.

From all walks of life too.

During a recent Sunday evening performance, an omnipresent sea of sepia faces washed over the audience. Barrino, making her theatrical debut, graced the stage with a natural essence, bringing on a spirit of that is reminiscent of Stephanie Mills, another pint-sized powerhouse who made history on the Great White Way in the 1970s with 'The Wiz.'

As the down-trodden, faith-depraved Celie in the Gary Griffin-directed spectacle, Barrino shines quite brightly.

Her acting capabilities are surprising and on par with the seasoned cast members, which includes breakout Tony Award nominee Elisabeth Withers Mendes, 'Lion King' star Alton Fitzgerald White, and newcomers Chaz Lamar Shepherd, and gospel powerhouse NaTasha Yvette Williams.

They bring out the best of her on the stage.

Playing a character who ages 40 years throughout a three-hour time span, Barrino is a true force to be reckoned with.

"I actually think being on Broadway is going to take me to another level," she said in a recent interview. "You're rolling with the big dogs on Broadway. People who never heard of me or my music now see me on the stage. It's another fan base."

Though, in the initial weeks of the show, she is endured a fierce case of strep throat, the 22-year-old single mom, rises to the challenges of the awe-inspiring, orchestra heavy musical numbers.

"I was nervous, stressed and I didn't sleep at all," she told 'Jet,' about the diagnosis. "Every time I closed my eyes I was hearing 'Color Purple' lines or the words to the songs."

That may be a good thing because she doesn't miss a beat.

What she lacks in Broadway bravado, she makes up with a sincere acting ability. Not bad for the first go round at it. Actually, it's quite impressive.

Fanny Tae, as some call her, is on deck to play eight shows in six days a week until November.

It's truly something worth seeing, whether you are seasoned theatergoer or a novice.
FANTASIA: 'Purple' Reign

[hilltop]

Posted: 5/17/07 at 5:26pm

Fantasia's previews ended yesterday and her official reviews start tonight. Her first official review is from Am New York and is a rave. Her performance is called: "genuinely authentic and powerful":

Fantasia lights up 'Purple'
By Matt Windman
amNewYork Theater Critic

3 stars

"It's Alive!" cried Dr. Victor Frankenstein, upon witnessing the current cast of Broadway's "The Color Purple," which has suddenly sprung to life over a year and a half following its Broadway birth.

In a new height for the "American Idols" on Broadway fad, Fantasia Barrino has taken over the lead role of Celie in "Color Purple," a poor black southern woman in the early twentieth century.

Unlike other "Idol" alumni like Anthony Fedorov, who is now in "The Fantasticks," or Tamyra Gray, who will join "Rent" this summer, Fantastia is not an "Idol" finalist. She is, in fact, the first "Idol" winner to perform on Broadway.

Twenty-two years old, and with no professional theater experience, it was quite a surprise to learn that Fantastia would play a role so large. The woman is almost never offstage or not belting a solo. And this is no mere musical comedy. Celie is a victim of child rape and physical abuse. The character also ages from a 14-year-old girl to a gray-haired woman by the show's finale.

But even if she lacks the professional polish of LaChanze, Fantasia is giving a genuinely authentic and powerful performance. The role fits her like a glove, and there is not a single moment where one doubts that she is truly embodying this unfortunate yet resilient character.

Also, thanks to small but significant changes to Gary Griffin's staging, "Color Purple" has finally achieved its goal of creating a fully developed, totally turbulent character journey expressed in song, African-American culture and religious motif. It may finally be time to take Oprah's advice and see the show.
link

[Malaijah]

Posted: 5/17/07 at 7:06pm

Matt also included an audio blog of his review. He really liked Fantasia in the role. I'm making my way to 53rd Street to see it this weekend!

[atunes]

Posted: 5/17/07 at 7:14pm

AP is a RAVE!

Fantasia Scores in `The Color Purple'

By MICHAEL KUCHWARA, AP Drama Critic

Thursday, May 17, 2007

(05-17) 14:48 PDT NEW YORK, (AP) --

Funny how a new star can jolt a long-running show. In a good way.

Consider Fantasia, one of the ubiquitous "American Idol" alums who have traveled to Broadway in the last several seasons. The performer is now starring as Celie, the put-upon heroine of "The Color Purple," a musical version of Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. She gives the production new heart, soul and star power.

More important (at least for the producers), her engagement at the Broadway Theatre, where the show is now midway through its second year, has helped the box office. And you can see why in the woman's performance.

Fantasia has a natural stage personality, a direct, sweet charm that gets her — and theatergoers — through the more bumpy, convoluted aspects of Marsha Norman's overstuffed stage adaptation. The story follows Celie's four-decade journey from horrific childhood to abusive marriage to independence and self-esteem.

The actress exudes a gentleness that makes the woman's stoicism, some might say passivity, seem palatable and, what's more, heartbreaking. And we haven't even gotten to her way with the songs.

The eclectic score by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray is, more often than not, big and brash, just right for the pyrotechnics favored by veterans of the "American Idol" flat-out style of singing. And Fantasia knows how to let loose, particularly in her final number of affirmation, "I'm Here." It pretty much brings down the house, earning cheers and a few tears.

Many of the supporting players have changed, too, since "The Color Purple" first opened in December 2005. Alton Fitzgerald White has the difficult assignment of portraying Celie's abusive husband, known as Mister. He could be just another stock villain, but the actor invests the role with a plausibility that makes his late-evening conversion into a semi-nice guy seem possible. Plus the man has a robust voice.

But then "The Color Purple" is chock full of impressive singers: from the trio of gossipy church ladies (Charlotte Crossley, Rosena M. Hill and Mai Nkenge Wilson) who comment on the action to NaTasha Yvette Williams who portrays Sofia, the gruff, no-nonsense antithesis to the pliant Celie. The role, played in the 1985 film version by Oprah Winfrey, is one of those surefire, comic crowd-pleasers, and Williams nails every laugh. She is assisted in her laugh-getting duties by the appealing Chaz Lamar Shepherd as the woman's appropriately deferential husband, Harpo.

The one major holdover from the original cast is the vibrant Elisabeth Withers-Mendes as the sexually adventurous chanteuse, Shug Avery, one of two women who hold particular sway over Celie. The other is Celie's saintly sister, Nettie, played by Darlesia Cearcy, who ends up doing missionary work in Africa.

That exotic setting is an excuse for some of the musical's more unnecessary choreography. Donald Byrd's movement for Withers-Mendes and a chorus of juke-joint regulars is much more inviting.

Designer John Lee Beatty's lavish settings, particularly a giant, gnarled tree where a young Celie and Nettie first pledge their sisterhood, remain inviting.

Director Gary Griffin has his hands full trying to keep the thick plot from slowing down the evening's momentum, but Fantasia's galvanizing presence, particularly her emotional connection to the material, makes "The Color Purple" soar.

AP Review

[dream on]

Posted: 5/17/07 at 8:50pm

Another amazing review from talkinbroadway.com
http://www.talkinbroadway.com/world/ColorPurple2.html

It’s any writer’s responsibility to strive for originality and to travel the least obvious and expected roads whenever possible. But sometimes one must openly give into clichés, for nothing else will do. This, I’m afraid, is one such time. Three simple, predictable words have haunted me ever since I revisited The Color Purple, so I must beg your indulgence just this once.

Fantasia is fantastic.

But if the words have now escaped into the world, the memory of what inspired them will linger for decades to come. For the monumental Broadway debut currently in progress at the Broadway doesn’t just transform the winner of season three of American Idol into the most capable, most assured, most innately gifted new stage star to appear in years. It’s also effected a metamorphosis on an entire musical that last year ranked a solid “can miss,” but is now an emphatic “must see.”

No change so complete has occurred in my theatregoing experience, never has a show that started as at best a lumbering bore become an energetic, vivifying tribute to life and theatricality just by obtaining a new star. Some will point Jonathan Pryce’s recent stint in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, still others to country star Reba McEntire’s replacing Bernadette Peters in the 1999 revival of Annie Get Your Gun. But neither was well served: Pryce was suave but out of control, and McEntire was out of her element, singing twangily but bearing at best rudimentary acting skills.

I expected as much of Fantasia here, unsure how anyone so young (she’s 22) and so inexperienced could carry this all-singing, all-hulking adaptation of Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel when the production’s original lead, LaChanze, a bona-fide theatre star, could not. It seemed a given that Marsha Norman’s hit-and-run book and Brenda Russell, Allee Willis, and Stephen Bray’s pop-slop score were designed to sink anyone who dared step into the central role of Celie.

But it didn’t take Fantasia long to not only shatter memories of LaChanze, but completely upend the idea that this was a show from which no drama could be drawn. Fantasia’s raw, unfinished quality and rough-hewn features quickly proved perfect for Celie in ways that LaChanze’s gleaming, beaming refinement and carefully preserved beauty never could be. A victim of her father’s sexual abuse who’s married off to a man named Mister who treats her only marginally better, Celie is a woman who’s known pain and looks it. As Fantasia plays her, she is determined to never know it again.

Updated On: 5/17/07 at 08:50 PM