Color Purple: Sat. Matinee 6/24....What a cast!!

[BroadwayBrat]

Posted: 6/25/06 at 6:24pm

Yesterday, I witnessed a performance by what I think is one of the hardest working and most dedicated casts on Broadway. I was initially disapointed that LaChanze was out. Her understudy did an amzing job. However, by intermission, I was sold. The entire cast gave 110%!! The show is good.....the cast is spectacular.

I chatted with several people in the front row (I was in the 2nd) who agreed with me. Everyone is the theater was so into the show, you couldn't help leap to your feet by the end. Several cast members clearly had tears in the eyes during the finale. This show is not to be missed.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 6/25/06 at 6:26pm

I have heard GREAT things about Kenita Miller. Do you know why LaChanze was out?

[BroadwayBrat]

Posted: 6/25/06 at 6:27pm

I don't. Not many people seemed concerned.
Kenita Miller was Great.

[uncageg]

Posted: 6/25/06 at 6:47pm

Loved the show also. Saw it lat November and listen to the OBCR a lot! I would love to see LaChanze's understudy. I did see LaChanze and she deserved that Tony.

[alphieboy]

Posted: 6/25/06 at 7:00pm

I saw it on that friday the 23rd and LaChanze was out then, as well as Mrs. Mendes and several others. The show was great, I really enjoyed it.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 6/25/06 at 7:04pm

Who was on as Shug?, and how were they..

[BroadwayBrat]

Posted: 6/25/06 at 7:16pm

I have been listening to the cast album most of the day.

"Shuuug Aaaavery....."

[JackiesBroJoe]

Posted: 6/25/06 at 9:28pm

LaChanze was out thursday night as well.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 6/25/06 at 9:35pm

I know she a lot of times doesn't do matinees. I was lucky enough to see her.

I've never seen people more into a show than at COLOR PURPLE.

[BroadwayBrat]

Posted: 6/25/06 at 10:06pm

I hope I have a chance to see TCP again.
Maybe with Lachanze. I wonder how long she is contracted in the role?

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 6/25/06 at 10:09pm

She said on her Broadway.com interview that she was contracted for a year.. she has a vacation coming up at the end of July/ beginning of August. I don't know the specific dates though.

[LifeoftheParty227]

Posted: 6/25/06 at 10:10pm

oh my God! I saw the saturday matinee too! I was also in the 2nd row. I thought it was amazing. Wasn't extraodinary, but amazing. Perhaps it was the seats. I hate sitting that close. But you get what you pay for.

[BroadwayBrat]

Posted: 6/25/06 at 10:37pm

Does anyone know if Lachanze was in the Sat. evening performance?

[jaesdare]

Posted: 6/25/06 at 11:47pm

whoever up there missed elisabeth withers mendes...you must return, imo she was even better than Lachanze...she was stupendous, her voice was slightly reminiscent of whitney houston's- if she hadn't started doing drugs. but yes anyways, elisabeth was incredible.

[FosseBoi]

Posted: 6/26/06 at 1:11am

I hope someone can back me up on this, but I over heard Elisabeth telling someone on Tues. that she would be out for about 10 days.

How was Kenita Miller on "I'm Here"? When I saw Lachanze do it, I about lost it. I have cyed and have been tuched in theatre, but not like that!

[JackiesBroJoe]

Posted: 6/26/06 at 6:16pm

glad you enjoyed the show despite LaChanze's absence. I haven't seen Kenita but I've heard she is fantastic in the role. She certainly does get to go on a lot.
Updated On: 6/26/06 at 06:16 PM

[teebz]

Posted: 6/26/06 at 6:38pm

It really sounds like LaChanze is out alot.

What's up with that?

[imafantu]

Posted: 6/26/06 at 6:56pm

I think a number of things...she is getting ready to celebrate her one year anniversary with her husband, according to the interview they are leaving town for it.

second, it is a very heavy story- and it must be emotionally draining to try and be even kilter for a six year old and a four year old all day (now that they are out of school) so that their lives are not affected by this work...and then take an hour to become a woman who is so downtrodden, in a way that draws you and I into the story.

Third, 8 shows six days a week, at about six hours(two hour call b4 show, 3 hour show and maybe 1 hour to come out of makeup & costume and wrap up) a day is a full work week plus overtime for most of us.

lastly- she's done in november...no better time than now to start gettiing the audience used to seeing another face besides her as Celie. Since alot of the viewers will be visitors, when TCP goes on tour they won't see LaChanze. Most of the rest of us (who are not NY-ers) don't know that the broadway cast and the touring cast are usually different. People will be expecting to see her-----and be disappointed.

I think those are pretty good reasons to miss. JMHO so I could be totally wrong and she COULD just be blowing off the show-but i doubt it.