Fantasia Is The New Celie In Purple

[RustyRocketteBoy]

Posted: 2/14/07 at 11:15pm

Playbill.com:

"E!online reports that Barrino, who was also a front-runner for the role of Effie in the hit movie musical “Dreamgirls,” will join the Oprah Winfrey-produced musical in the role of Celie, the part created by LaChanze to Tony-winning effect. Barrino is expected to make her Broadway bow in the spring."


How does everyone feel about this?

Read The Article

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 2/14/07 at 11:16pm

OMG. This is laughable.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 2/14/07 at 11:19pm

I guess Reidel's story about trouble selling tkts was right.
I would send her out as the tour lead and let her get some "legs" before letting New York Critics and Bloggers attack her.
I feel bad for the actress who just got the part.

[Raviolisun]

Posted: 2/14/07 at 11:19pm

Oh my God.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 2/14/07 at 11:20pm

Her voice is like nails on a chalkboard to me. I have no idea how she won that competition, and I can't stand listening to her sing.

[C is for Company]

Posted: 2/14/07 at 11:20pm

Awesome news, I wanted her to win in her season.

[luvliza89]

Posted: 2/14/07 at 11:20pm

She couldn't even play herself in a LIFETIME movie.

Come on.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 2/14/07 at 11:21pm

Interesting. Looks like I actually DO know what I'm talking about.

[little_sally]

Posted: 2/14/07 at 11:21pm

I really don't like Fantasia and I can't see her as Celie. This smells like stunt casting to me.

[RustyRocketteBoy]

Posted: 2/14/07 at 11:21pm

i think i could see her as more of a Shug than a Celie.....

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 2/14/07 at 11:22pm

This is a very smart move on the producers' behalf. THE COLOR PURPLE has been running at a loss for the past month and a half (though January-February does tend to be the most difficult time of year to sell), but the fact that they went from practically sold-out houses to playing at 50% capacity was a huge drop, and desperate measures do need to be taken if they want to remain open.

[myManCape]

Posted: 2/14/07 at 11:22pm

It has not been selling well. Despite what people think about her performance she will sell A LOT more tickets than Jeannette Bayardelle.

This announcement does not surprise me in the least.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 2/14/07 at 11:23pm

Has the role of Celie been announced for the tour? Is it possible that the actress currently playing the role (Jeanette Bayardelle (sp?)) on Broadway could be doing the tour? If not, what a shame since she just started. Then again, their numbers haven't been great, so I guess they're doing what they feel is necessary.

Updated On: 2/14/07 at 11:23 PM

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 2/14/07 at 11:24pm

I don't know TCP but I do not see her as Celie at all.

[myManCape]

Posted: 2/14/07 at 11:26pm

Since the show has already broken even and returned its investment, it’s a very smart move by the producers to keep the show running at a profit. They really have nothing to lose in this situation. Fantasia will sell tickets and then once she finishes her run, I wouldn’t expect the show to be around much longer.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 2/14/07 at 11:27pm

How can she learn the script when she can't read?

[Mrs.LinkLarkin2]

Posted: 2/14/07 at 11:30pm

luvtheEmcee, I completely agree with you! ugh! I think her voice is terrible! Anyway, I'm a huge Idol fan and I think it's kinda cool how so many contestants are becoming Broadway stars.

[defyingravity11]

Posted: 2/14/07 at 11:31pm

Ugh! That's all I can say.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 2/14/07 at 11:33pm

I'd rather see Whoopi try to sing the score.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 2/14/07 at 11:34pm

Mrs. Link, the irony of your statement is that Simon would say the word "Broadway" in terms of someone's voice like it was a bad thing. Who's having the last laugh now. I'm just wondering if she'll really sell that many tickets. How have her CD sales been?

[Mandi Moo]

Posted: 2/14/07 at 11:35pm

Um. My drama teacher reallllly wants to see TCP when we go down in April. I don't. At all. And this just solidifies that even more.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 2/14/07 at 11:36pm

Yeah, but think -- get her on Oprah a couple times singing from the show, tickets will sell.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 2/14/07 at 11:39pm

Granted she'll sell tickets, but I'm not sure how many. Her CD sales are lackluster and she's one of the least successful out of all the American Idol winners. I doubt she'll do a whole lot, and even if she does, I think the people going to see her will run out quickly. I guess it just goes to show that there wasn't much demand for this show beyond the Oprah audience, and the bus tours.

[Mandi Moo]

Posted: 2/14/07 at 11:40pm

Hopefully by Spring they mean May...

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 2/14/07 at 11:40pm

Well it's still a fantastic show with one of the most talented casts on Broadway.