Barrino brings $2 million increase in Color Purple ticket sales

"The Color Purple" got a major national publicity push when third-season "Idol" winner Fantasia Barrino appeared on the show Feb. 22 and announced she would do a stint in "Purple" beginning April 10.

About a week later, on Feb. 28, Barrino talked about her new Broadway gig during a spot on "Oprah."

"Purple" had experienced some rough weeks at the box office this winter, but once the Barrino news hit, the show's advance rose by $2 million, according to producer Scott Sanders.

And the majority of that -- about $1.5 million -- came after Barrino's appearance on "Oprah."

"Even the Chicago wraps tripled," says Sanders of sales for the national tour, which kicks off in Chi on April 17 with Michelle Williams of Destiny's Child.
Variety.com

Good for them. I have a feeling the advance comes more from Oprah than Barrino, but Fantasia's PR can spin it however they like.

Double Post. Delete.

Updated On: 3/10/07 at 02:20 PM

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Fantastia's hair turned to gold.

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Updated On: 3/10/07 at 02:33 PM

"If that is the case then why even bring Fantasia into the show. Why not put one of the understudies in the part and just mention The Color Purple everyday during The Oprah Winfrey show?
I think it has everything to do with the fact that Fantasia sang "I'm Here" so beautifully twice in a week on two show with huge audiences. "

Exactly, if it's all oprah then why not just use an understudy and let them come on her show and sing "I'm here"? Everything oprah touches might turn to gold but this play was turning to dust until fantasia came in, announced and sang a song from this play.

wait, huh, what- can we get back to, Michelle Williams of Destiny's Child is playing Shug Avery in the Chicago run of PURPLE? Really? Wow- I so missed that one.

She's playing Shug? I saw her in Aida, and that was pretty much a disaster. When I saw her name I was hoping she would be playing Nettie- I think she is much more suited for that role... eek.

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"I think it's a combo of Oprah and Fantasia. I suspect the advanced wouldn’t' be so high if Fantasia had appeared on say, Montel instead of Oprah. "

It likely is a combo of both. However, Fantasia did not appear on the oprah show to promote her tv movie, nor did she appear on idol and it got record ratings, so, I'm thinking it's more a combination of a great promotion package, ala lifetime. Now, if only they learn to promote her albums like they do her tv movies and broadway shows.

They've been running tv ads, commericals etc., and having her sing the song live (on any show) does help.

But still, if people were not interested in fantasia and if she were she not pulling the song off live, even the oprah show couldn't make them run out, spend their hard earned dollars to she HER (not Oprah)live. Those tickets are sort of expensive. I expected an increase but 2 million before she even starts is great. I think they've made good on their investment right off the back.

Updated On: 3/10/07 at 05:58 PM

No matter who/what boosted sales, it's great news for the show.