Fantasia - AMAZING!!!!!

Just saw Fantasia in TCP(I was one of the lucky few who actually get to see her) last night! I was totally blown away by her performance. I knew the singing would be first-rate, but I wasn't expecting much from her acting. She did an outstanding job. I was very moved. You go, girl!!!

Updated On: 12/16/07 at 11:47 AM

So she decided to show up for work, eh?

When she shows up, she really is incredible. It is a shame a great performance is tarnished by her horrendous attendance record.

I am glad I got to see her, but I understand peoples' frustrations with her.

I assumed the "amazing" part of the title was referring to the fact that she was actually there.

funny thread :)

---

Here's another review from this weekend:

//I'm not really a fan of her voice, and I don't watch 'American Idol', so I didn't know much about her to start with. But I couldn't get over how deeply she pulled me into a story that, after reading the novel AND seeing the film numerous times, was not at all new to me. She wasn't "Fantasia" playing "Celie" she WAS Celie. And she managed to capture the humorous parts as perfectly as she did the dramatic ones. Her big solo was a standout partially because her voice is powerful, but mostly because she acted the hell out of it. I mean, she brought the house DOWN vocally and artistically. And she also cried real tears during the Finale. I don't think I've ever seen that in a live performance...

And to all the people who hate on her for whatever reason: Your loss, and keep hating, haters. But before you do, take a moment to ask yourself: What did I do tonight? If you didn't give a Broadway performance that caused people to (literally) leap to their feet during the curtain call, then perhaps you need to shut up?

Just a thought. //

Updated On: 12/17/07 at 12:51 AM

For all the altruists who say she should not have taken the job if she couldn't deliver 8 times a week....perhaps you should pose that statement to the producers who tried to capitalize on a struggling "reality show winner" who delivers an unbelievably raw, TRUE, rediculously heartbreaking performance. She may not have known what that entailed,and as far as it shows,she did not...but THEY did...shame on THEM, not HER. Think for a second...she may be doing her VERY best. She went on Idol to have a recording career. The producers aproached HER to infuse some lifeblood into their mediocre show... She has done just that. If you have an axe to grind ...write the producers. If you can reach them as they,despite refunds,are laughing ALL the way to the bank.

Updated On: 12/17/07 at 03:36 AM

The one operative throughout this thread - "mediocre" (in terms of the show, not the performances). Yes, I did see the show and also bought the CD to see if I'd get a different perspective and no, it did not change my opinion. What's up with that sorry excuse of an overture? This material at least called for the talent of a more experienced musical team (as in writing for the stage) as opposed to what was a hodge podge of mostly nothing. I bet Fantasia will be relieved when this chapter of her life is closed.

Fantasia, honey is that you?

So funny!

Has anyone seen performances of both Fantasia and LaChanze? Which performance did you like better?

I don't think most people are questioning how she is in the role, it's that she's obviously not up to the grueling Broadway schedule as evidenced by her many absences.

Yes, she may have brought money in, but as of late she's also cost them a lot of money when they've had to refund tickets bought by people who wanted to see her and instead were faced with getting a refund or seeing someone they didn't come to see. That has to be factored in as well, especially by any producers thinking of hiring her in the future. If you're banking on a name, you need for that name to be able to handle the job. 50+ absences in the time she's been on ~ especially the increasing number immediately after three weeks off for the strike ~ clearly shows she cannot handle an 8-show a week schedule.

---

Hilltop:

Thanks for editing/reposting my LJ review without crediting me.

If anyone wants to read the whole thing, here is my post from last night. The last 4 paragraphs are related to the actual show.

http://midoria.livejournal.com/3483.html

---

Updated On: 12/17/07 at 12:07 PM

"For all the altruists who say she should not have taken the job if she couldn't deliver 8 times a week....perhaps you should pose that statement to the producers who tried to capitalize on a struggling "reality show winner" who delivers an unbelievably raw, TRUE, rediculously heartbreaking performance. She may not have known what that entailed,and as far as it shows,she did not...but THEY did...shame on THEM, not HER. Think for a second...she may be doing her VERY best. She went on Idol to have a recording career. The producers aproached HER to infuse some lifeblood into their mediocre show... She has done just that. If you have an axe to grind ...write the producers. If you can reach them as they,despite refunds,are laughing ALL the way to the bank."

I don't think anyone in ths thread has not complimented her actual performance, which as I said earlier, is incredible. The problem is she can't do it 7 times a week (because she isn't contracted for Wednesday matinees anymore). One would have thought that the producers or creative team would have put her in touch with someone who could have worked with her on her pacing.

I also saw both LaChanze and Fantasia in the role and I must say that Fantasia was better. I agree that vocally they are on the same par technically, but there is no question that Fantasia ACTED the songs much better. Fantasia leaves no doubt that she is feeling every emotion that she is singing. Also, she has an amazing connection with the audience that I did not see with LaChanze. I actually loved LaChanze's performance and I think she deserved the Tony, but Fantasia's performance was in a different ballpark and ranked as one of the best that I've ever seen. I just wish that more people could have seen her.