Color Purple Tour Review

[renthead333]

Posted: 8/10/07 at 2:53pm

This last Wed. we went to the matinee and let me say it was definalty one hell of a afternoon. I've never seen the movie or read the book so I really didn't know what to expect. The beginning of the show is a little slow until we meet Sofia. After that the show is great and very emotional. Now onto the preformances..

Felicia P. Fields (Sofia)- She was hilarous and has a great voice. This role was made for her, sorry Oprah. Her Hell No! got the crowd going crazy. She should of won the Tony!

Jenna Ford Jackson (Shug Avery)- Yes Michelle was out and I was disappointed, but Ms. Jackson was pretty good. Her voice doesn't compare to Ms. Withers, but it was still good. I LOVED the character of Shug. Her acting was fierce, but when she sang she made weird facial expressions. She had great chemistry with Jeanette (who I'll get to later)

LaToya London (Nettie)- I wish she had a bigger role. She is beautiful and her voice matches. She made the role her own, but she NEEDS to come to broadway and take on a bigger role. She has the presence because you can't take your eyes off of her.

Stu James (Harpo)- Him and Felcia had such great chemistry that it was believable for those two to be in love. He was very good.

Rufus Bonds Jr. (Mister)- He was also very good and believable in his character. His Celie's Curse was a little rough. He played mean very good nad he transitioned to the nice guy very well.

Jeannette Bayardelle (Celie)- I had to save the best for last. She was beyond words. Let's put it this way, I have never seen someone in theater give it like she did. Her acting was beyond perfect. Her voice was a gift of God. She gave me chills, she made me cry, she made me laugh. I absolutley adored her and I wish she orginated the role on Broadway because she would for sure have won. Her I'm Here was out of this world and during The Color Purple (Reprise) she made the whole house have tears especially because she was crying too. I was wondering if she crys at the end of every show? I can't believe the energy this woman had for playing the role for so long now. She didn't play Celie, she IS Celie. I wish the best of luck to her in the future!

Overall I'd give the show 8.5/10. I hope to see it again!


P.S. I also saw High School Musical(runs to the corner) I know I know... But it was actually very good and I didn't like movie much.

THanks!

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 8/10/07 at 2:55pm

Does London understudy Celie in addition to playing Nettie?

Updated On: 8/10/07 at 02:55 PM

[renthead333]

Posted: 8/10/07 at 2:57pm

No she doesn't but she should!

[FlyingMonkey1223]

Posted: 8/10/07 at 4:12pm

This show scares me. The majority of the cast members are religious, anti-gay nuts. Why would I want to spend money to see a show starring people who have such a dislike for me?

[uncageg]

Posted: 8/10/07 at 4:38pm

How do you know this about the cast memmbers? Is there an article you can post a link to? Did someone tell you? They are in a show the prominently features a lesbian relationship! I would think that if they were "religeous nuts" they might not even want to be in a show that featured homosexuality. JMO

Updated On: 8/10/07 at 04:38 PM

[me2]

Posted: 8/10/07 at 5:55pm

Thank you! Really enjoyed the show on B'wy but didn't intend on seeing it again until I heard Ms. Fields (one of my Amazing Broadway Performers from my blog) and LaToya London were in the tour. That two "must-see" stars for me!
Broadway Blog: Merle Dandridge and (look down) Miss Saigon in 2007

[uncageg]

Posted: 8/10/07 at 6:05pm

I too saw it on Broadway and Ms. Fields was wonderful. LaChanze was wonderful also. I would see it again on Broadway.

I still want to know how FlyingMonkey knows these performers are anti-gay. Care to respond Monkey?

Updated On: 8/10/07 at 06:05 PM

[ICEcreamAssassin]

Posted: 8/10/07 at 7:59pm

I met felicia as well as a some of the company of the Broadway show backstage and they were nothing but nice to me and my mother.. just wonderful. Gave felicia a hug and congrats on her tony nom (saw the show a week before the tonys) She was awesome. We chatted backstage for a while. There are people in the show who are religious but thats does not make them anti-gay. A lot of the cast and crew is gay. Its work. You are supporting their talent and story telling not their personal beliefs.

[Fosse76]

Posted: 8/11/07 at 12:53am

"Thank you! Really enjoyed the show on B'wy but didn't intend on seeing it again until I heard Ms. Fields (one of my Amazing Broadway Performers from my blog) and LaToya London were in the tour. That two "must-see" stars for me!"

While this production will eventually tour, it's Chicago engagement is technically not the tour, and in fact there will most likely be some changes in the cast when the show finally tours, so let's please not call it a tour. What was seen in Chicago is the Chicago production.

[me2]

Posted: 8/11/07 at 2:34pm

Thanks for the clarification, Fosse. I'll go cry now.



:)
Broadway Blog: Merle Dandridge and (look down) Miss Saigon 16 Years Later

[uncageg]

Posted: 8/11/07 at 2:39pm

Oh Monkey, Monkey, Monkey......still waiting for an explanation!

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 8/11/07 at 3:07pm

Fosse76, are you sure?

Felicia Fields had said that this was most definetly the touring company (they are almost all contracted for a year, which goes beyond the Chicago dates.)

She went on to say that, if the demand was high and the producers felt it was a worthwhile investment, this company would move out on the road and a new one would be brought in for a sit down production that would remain in Chicago (which Felicia would stay behind and be apart of.)

Updated On: 8/11/07 at 03:07 PM

[FlyingMonkey1223]

Posted: 8/11/07 at 5:56pm

Believe me, they are anti-gay loons who go to church on Sundays to discuss how horrible gay marriage is. Yes, they work with a lot of gays...but that doesn't mean a thing. They are bigots and I refuse to support a show with a cast like this. Talk to the gay cast members in the show and see how they feel about the cast. You'd be suprised.

[uncageg]

Posted: 8/11/07 at 6:28pm

So I am assuming that you talk to the cast members from CA or you live in Chicago? They go to church just to discuss how bad gay marriage is? They don't...worship when they are there? This all sounds a bit vague. If they are THAT against us (The gay community) they wouldn't be in this show. It would go against their beliefs.