Barrino brings $2 million increase in Color Purple ticket sales

[TooWicked]

Posted: 3/10/07 at 2:12pm

"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

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 3/10/07 at 2:14pm

Wow, good for them. I'm glad this show will be remaining open.

Posted: 3/10/07 at 2:15pm

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.

[Virgo]

Posted: 3/10/07 at 2:20pm

"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."

Yes, that was Oprah standing up there singing the song from "the color Purple on her show. It was oprah on idol singing a song from the color purple to a standing ovation. It's also Oprah's face on the color purple website. And yes, it is oprah who's starring in "the color purple" commercials. Yes, it was all oprah, has nothing to do with Fantasia and the work that she's putting in.

Anyway, 2 million is 2 million and I hope fantasia gets a nice chuck.

[Virgo]

Posted: 3/10/07 at 2:20pm

Double Post. Delete.

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

Posted: 3/10/07 at 2:22pm

Oprah could put Antonella Barba on her show and help her sell a million CDs. She did make Yanni's career back in the '80s after all...

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 3/10/07 at 2:26pm

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 3/10/07 at 2:32pm

Not everything Oprah touches turns to gold. Let us not forget Beloved.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 3/10/07 at 2:33pm

Fantastia's hair turned to gold.

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

[TooWicked]

Posted: 3/10/07 at 2:33pm

"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."


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.

[Virgo]

Posted: 3/10/07 at 2:38pm

"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.

[HumATune]

Posted: 3/10/07 at 4:01pm

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.

[Anakela]

Posted: 3/10/07 at 4:24pm

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.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 3/10/07 at 4:28pm

Very good news indeed

A very, very good show.

[bella cantato]

Posted: 3/10/07 at 4:28pm

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.

[Anakela]

Posted: 3/10/07 at 4:42pm

Yeah the Var article just mentioned Michelle Williams, without saying what role she's taking on, but when I Google her the various news sites are saying that she's playing Shug Avery. I don't think I see it.

[Virgo]

Posted: 3/10/07 at 5:58pm

"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

[purpleprince101]

Posted: 3/11/07 at 7:11pm

Congrats to a great show!

[Josephine2]

Posted: 3/11/07 at 9:22pm

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