Danielle Brooks' final show

[ACL2006]

Posted: 11/13/16 at 8:54pm

Erivo & company did a nice send off for Hudson & Headley on their final show, so I'd have to imagine something great was also done for Brooks & Isaiah Johnson tonight. Was anyone there?

[Cupid Boy2]

Posted: 11/13/16 at 9:01pm

I found this on Instagram. I saw yesterday's matinee, and the production is still in such wonderful shape. Danielle's voice sounded stronger than ever. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BMxIQS4hRj6/

[adamgreer]

Posted: 11/13/16 at 9:03pm

They really seem to be a close knit group.  Their sendoffs for performers' last shows are always pretty intense. 

[Mediamaven2]

Posted: 11/13/16 at 9:45pm

I went. It was also Isaiah Johnson's ("Mister"  final show.

It was a great show. 

First time I saw it without Heather Headley. Interesting to see the slight production changes for Jennifer.

During Isaiah's solo in Act II he stopped after the first few lines, looking directly out to center orchestra and stepping out of character said, "put away your damn phone, man!" or something almost exactly like that. The audience roared with applause. Then he stepped right back into it, and continued.

I couldn't see much of what was going on as I was SRO in the back.

At the curtain call, Isaiah spoke movingly. He said that the show (forgive me for paraphrasing less eloquently than he spoke ) spoke to all of us and taught him about casting off your straitjacket of the past that traps you, and flying free. And that we should all heed that message.  He also said we need to be kind to our neighbors. Denise did not speak at all. Cynthia got emotional, giving each a tribute. The cast sang It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday. It moved me because it also made me think of politics the last few days.

The opening was phenomenal--I wondered if it was because  that Church Lady is taking on Denise's role and it was, in a sense, her 'last' performance in that role. The final picnic scene was moving because Cynthia looked around at the end and looked toward Denise and Isaiah and there were longer than normal pauses due to emotion. 

Anyway...look forward to reading anyone else's experience of this ?? 

 

 

[10086sunset]

Posted: 11/13/16 at 10:08pm

Mediamaven2, you really did a great job of capturing today's performance...

Isaiah's speech at the end was truly moving...

I'm thankful for experiencing today's show...

[phan24]

Posted: 11/13/16 at 10:44pm

Mediamaven2 said: "I went. It was also Isaiah Johnson's ("Mister"  final show.

It was a great show. 

First time I saw it without Heather Headley. Interesting to see the slight production changes for Jennifer.

During Isaiah's solo in Act II he stopped after the first few lines, looking directly out to center orchestra and stepping out of character said, "put away your damn phone, man!" or something almost exactly like that. The audience roared with applause. Then he stepped right back into it, and continued.

I couldn't see much of what was going on as I was SRO in the back.

At the curtain call, Isaiah spoke movingly. He said that the show (forgive me for paraphrasing less eloquently than he spoke ) spoke to all of us and taught him about casting off your straitjacket of the past that traps you, and flying free. And that we should all heed that message.  He also said we need to be kind to our neighbors. Denise did not speak at all. Cynthia got emotional, giving each a tribute. The cast sang It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday. It moved me because it also made me think of politics the last few days.

The opening was phenomenal--I wondered if it was because  that Church Lady is taking on Denise's role and it was, in a sense, her 'last' performance in that role. The final picnic scene was moving because Cynthia looked around at the end and looked toward Denise and Isaiah and there were longer than normal pauses due to emotion. 

Anyway...look forward to reading anyone else's experience of this ?? 

 

 

 



THE TITLE OF THIS THREAD IS 'DANIELLE BROOKS' FINAL SHOW', HOW CAN YOU CALL HER DENISE.....

 

[Mediamaven2]

Posted: 11/13/16 at 11:04pm

so sorry!!

wine, tired, no proofreading. I am very sorry!   

While I'm at it, correcting names, etc.:  Carrie Compere is the name of the Church lady who is taking on Sofia, and who as a Church lady leads the opening, and it was really out of this world at today's show (the opening and her belting it out). And y'all who have seen the show can imagine, how turning up that opening a few notches when it's already so high octane...well, it was just out of this world.  

And Danielle Brooks was phenomenal.  As she and Harpo always do, they really really really enjoyed each other today. Isaiah Johnson is always great .  Look forward to seeing them both in other things.  

[Robyn2]

Posted: 11/14/16 at 4:02pm

Taken by the person sitting next to me

 

https://youtu.be/aHwhd1ksJj0

 

[Felm_heart]

Posted: 11/14/16 at 4:13pm

Highlights: Carrie's last time as the main Church Lady was INSANE. She took extra moments during the opening number, she held notes longer, went higher, etc. You could tell she would miss singing that opening number.

Danielle's Hell No was bonkers. She tore into that song. Huge, growling notes. So happy for her. (Wished she had gotten a standing O - not sure why she didn't!)

Isaiah's cell phone moment was fabulous. When he returned to the song, he optioned up to some huge notes he's never gone for before. 

The last scene between Isaiah and Cynthia on that picnic blanket was particularly poignant. Their voices both broke into tears throughout the whole scene.

During the last lines of the show, "I don't think us feel old at all, I think this the youngest us ever been," Cynthia could NOT get through it. It was very touching. When she turned to face Danielle, there was a very long pause before she could get the words out. Incredibly sweet. They'll both be missed!

[Mediamaven2]

Posted: 11/14/16 at 9:42pm

Great video link, thanks for posting it.

When I shoot  video I try to remember to hold cell phone horizontally -- not vertically-- else you get 2/3 black space... I've made this mistake myself.

[Robyn2]

Posted: 11/15/16 at 4:00pm

Better than any of the send offs we have seen...the funeral for Stedman Northside. This really is a must see.  

https://youtu.be/uBxxczWdNt8