Fantasia Barrino at COLOR PURPLE tonight...- Page 2

[Sing a Song With Me]

Posted: 1/24/07 at 10:29am

I sadly found Dixon to be wholly lacking and the show itself to be a bit too broad. However, Bayardelle was absolutely thrilling, Withers-Mendes blew me away vocally as did Nettie. I'm sorry, I cannot remember the actress' name at the moment.

[imafantu]

Posted: 1/24/07 at 12:53pm

I hope you are not trying to make this into a diana, fantasia competition...truth is Diana is NOT doing as well as fantasia in terms of marketing and sales. Her album did not even break the 100,000 sales mark. fantasia has won several awards, has sold albums (her second album is doing quite well)and has inked book and television deals appearing several times on letterman, kimmel, leno, ellen and the view. So on broadway Diana might have Fantasia hemmed up, but in terms of overall financial success since AI Fantasia has a sizable and measurable lead.
I had the opportunity to meet them at an AI concert, and they were both gracious and very worthy of the fan following they have. I say its not fair to compare them, because they attract two different crowds.So your comparison (outside of financial success) seems really off..while fantasia is raspy when she is loud and boisterous and free to perform, I have heard her sing clear melodious notes when the song calls for it. I hope people don't limit her abilities based on her preferred style of singing. She can do a variety!!!! Clive Davis is no fool- he did not sign Fantasia because she had no talent! Diana and fantasia are both young and have years ahead of them. Here's hoping that they will both grow in this business and mature in their vocal perfomances.
P.S. I also can't see her playing any one specific character in TCP, she's too young to age into the later "celie", she's too young to be shug (who starts the musical/movie older than celie,and Elisabeth is not going anywhere)and to energetic to play the softspoken nettie, and while she might have the vocal oomph to sing sophia's part, she doesn't seem to possess the hardiness that Felicia exudes!!! She might make a good Church lady (vocally)- but I won't rule it out!

Updated On: 1/24/07 at 12:53 PM

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 1/24/07 at 1:29pm

But last time I checked neither of them were Academy Award nominated. OH!

[sidjones09]

Posted: 1/24/07 at 1:35pm

"I sadly found Dixon to be wholly lacking and the show itself to be a bit too broad. However, Bayardelle was absolutely thrilling, Withers-Mendes blew me away vocally as did Nettie. I'm sorry, I cannot remember the actress' name at the moment."

I believe you are refering to Darlesia Cearcy(sp?), and yes she is wonderful. I also saw her as Sara on the 1st National Tour of 'Ragtime' and she was equally good in that.

[Sing a Song With Me]

Posted: 1/24/07 at 1:39pm

Sidjones, thank you. Yes. She was a vocal powerhouse with a surprisingly deep voice but with a wonderful range. Now that I think on her voice again, I realize I could keep applying positive adjectives about it. I was very happy to see she had that extended act II opening sequence in which to sing.

[Marie2]

Posted: 1/24/07 at 2:30pm

Her lifetime movie proved to me that she can't act. She's doing fine in the music world and should stick with it.

[beyondblessed]

Posted: 1/24/07 at 3:31pm

I could not agree with you any more. People, Please don't make this into a battle!!! Fantasia and Diana are two different types of artists following two different career paths with two different established fan bases. And i'll admit Fantasia did not do the best job in her lifetime tv movie, but she is learning and in due time i believe she can and will grow as an actress if she is intended to do so. As for her joining the cast of CP I agree Celie, Shug, Nettie, and Sophia she is not. But I believe she could pull off one of the church ladies, or (with that froggy voice) bring an interesting spin to the character Squeak.

[hilltop]

Posted: 1/29/07 at 3:53am

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcrtlEwl6fU
Updated On: 1/29/07 at 03:53 AM

[friedrichVT]

Posted: 1/29/07 at 6:06am

Fantasia is certainly being courted for the show and role, they also HEAVILY papered the audience that night....She would be wonderful as Celie. If the powers that be guide and direct her ,she will be wonderful.She knows pain. She has an amazing voice despite what people may think of her tone, the girl can sing and possesses a depth and history which she can bring to her singing....it's a musical people.

[MusicAndPassion]

Posted: 1/29/07 at 6:46am

I am almost positive she was there the night I saw it in April. The person looked just liked her, sounded like her and had many people going up to her and saying they enjoyed her on American Idol.

[PJ]

Posted: 1/29/07 at 8:33am

Halle Berry was at Jersey Boys on Wednesday night. I bet she's replacing John Lloyd Young in April!

[B3TA07]

Posted: 1/29/07 at 9:16am

OMG! Finally an excuse to see it again!

[parislover87]

Posted: 1/29/07 at 9:48am

yeah... I was at Spring Awakening when Joan Rivers was there... I heard she was replacing Lea Michelle and they were going to extend the fondeling scene...

AND Caroline Rhea was at Grey Gardens and she's going to replace Christine Ebersole... (actually I'd like to see that... weirdly)

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 1/29/07 at 12:42pm

While Barrino's acting for the role of Celie may be questionable, there is no doubt in my mind that she can sing the score.

I saw LaChanze back in July, and while I don't feel anyone could ever provide as captivating a performance as she did, I think, with the proper coaching and direction, Fantastia could be suitable (and perhaps even good) in the part. My only problem other than her acting ability is her age. I'm not so sure she can believably make the long transition Celie is required to make over the course of the show.

Bill Condon still says to this day that she delievered an electrifying screen test for Effie for the "Dreamgirls" film, and if it wasn't for David Geffen, she would have been cast in that role. Perhaps she has some talent the rest of us have yet to see...

[Marie2]

Posted: 2/12/07 at 3:19am

All signs seem to be pointing towards an announcement of Fantasia in the role of Celie. One of the producers of American Idol was interviewed recently and said something about how great it is that she is "going into Oprah's Broadway show, The Color Purple."

[friedrichVT]

Posted: 2/12/07 at 10:03pm

Fantasia sang for the producers last week, expect an announcement soon.

[atlsuperstar]

Posted: 2/12/07 at 10:27pm

The producers from American Idol could have been talking about Latyoa London...she is cast in "The Color Purple" in Chicago. But if Fantasia sung for the producers she is likely to maybe get in the show just from the hype and ticket sales. Also be on the lookout for Kenita Miller to return in a few weeks in the role of Celie..she signed about a 5 to 6 week return. It is said that Jeannette is opening the Chicago cast while Kenita takes over while the new Celie comes in..Could it be Fantasia?

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 2/12/07 at 11:02pm

Youtube Video!

[javertjunky]

Posted: 2/12/07 at 11:15pm

*I broke my shoe*

Anyone remember that from American Idol? Haha

[MovieGuy1031]

Posted: 2/12/07 at 11:21pm

(a)Wow, javertjunky, posting on a thread NOT involving Norm or Les Miz... although your post indirectly refers to our Les Miz...

(b)Oh my GOD... Fantasia... as... Celie... ewww...

(c)Latoya would be fantastic!

(d)I broke my shoooooooo-ooooe.

[javertjunky]

Posted: 2/12/07 at 11:26pm

Yes i did and yes it does.

*I broke my shooooooo-ooooe*

[NJRae]

Posted: 2/12/07 at 11:38pm

Jennifer Hudson was saying in an interview recently that she would love to do broadway. When asked specifically what show she answered, (and I'm paraphrasing) "I'd love to do The Color Purple, but I hear that's already being done." Now, unless she means its already being done as in "it is already on Broadway so I wouldn't be the first" it could be that she means Fantasia is already going to be in that show. I'm sure Fantasia can handle the singing aspect of it but the acting part worries me. As others have said, her acting in that lifetime movie was pretty painful. And she was playing herself!

[javertjunky]

Posted: 2/12/07 at 11:39pm

Very true.

[MovieGuy1031]

Posted: 2/12/07 at 11:41pm

Hahahahaha NJRae, that just made my night. Even though i've heard it before, I love when people say that she couldn't even play herself.

God I just... strongly dislike her!

[EltonJ]

Posted: 2/13/07 at 9:05am

American Idol: Joke
Fantasia: Punchline