Fantasia Is The New Celie In Purple- Page 3

[Mrs.LinkLarkin2]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 12:59am

Josh wasn't even in the top 48 season 2. I had no idea who he was when I saw Tarzan. Some girl who worked at the theater mentioned it, but no one would recognize his name from A.I. Yes, he is HOT!!!

[Marie2]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 1:20am

We'll see how she does but I tend to think the rest of the cast is going to have to do a lot of work carrying her and covering up her acting flaws.

[sidjones09]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 1:28am

Let me just say that I like Fantasia as a singer. I think her sound is extremely unique, and she has a great talent in her singing. But Celie in 'The Color Purple'? If Gary Griffin can get her anywhere close to pulling this off they need to open up a new Tony category for Best Direction of a Doomed Replacement Lead in a Musical. This has the potential to go right up there with Robin Givens in Chicago. As much as I love her singing, I agree with anyone who pointed out her performance in her Lifetime movie. I had to turn it off I felt so bad for her. But in her defense, you can't assess anybody's talent off of a Lifetime movie. I've seen some great actors who looked like it was their first attempt at the craft in Lifetime films. Lifetime = badly directed and badly scripted films. But in Fantasia's case, I think it had less to do with direction and more to do with inexperience.

She will provide a bump in ticket sales with her fanbase, but I'm not sure how long that can make an impact. I also think regardless of her reviews she's not going to pull people who aren't necessarily fans of hers to see the show again. However, I think it is a smart move on the producer's part and I wish her and the cast luck.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 1:36am

If you want to see what Fantasia is capable of (and I'm not even going to talk about the absurd Lifetime movie directed by Debbie Allen of all people) track down her screen test for DREAMGIRLS that is slowly leaking its way through Hollywood at the moment. Blows anything Jennifer Hudson did out of the water in the acting department.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 1:51am

Eww.

Seriously though, how on earth is she going to learn her lines if she can't read? I never understood how she was considered a frontrunner for Dreamgirls either, since she couldn't read the script.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 1:53am

Since everyone knows you film a scene immediately after reading the script.

[sidjones09]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 1:59am

"If you want to see what Fantasia is capable of (and I'm not even going to talk about the absurd Lifetime movie directed by Debbie Allen of all people) track down her screen test for DREAMGIRLS that is slowly leaking its way through Hollywood at the moment. Blows anything Jennifer Hudson did out of the water in the acting department."

Bennett, are you being fecetious here? She's actually phenomenal in her Dreamgirls screening? Do you have anymore details?

[IAMmyownMUSICAL]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 2:21am

can I throw up now.


Ten bucks says she moves like a broken bird (her signature move) whenever she sings a song. SH*T!

[DG]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 2:35am

By all means, everyone, condemn her to hell before she's even had a chance to show what she can do in the role.


Updated On: 2/15/07 at 02:35 AM

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 6:53am

Janette Bayardelle is leaving the Broadway company to open the Chicago/touring production. LaChanze had said in the Broadway.com blog when she left that she was returning for several weeks to reprise her role. I assumed that would be between Bayardelle and the new Celie (who looks to be Fantasia.)

If her acting is as good as everyone says it is (we already know she has the voice,) I can see Barrino pulling a suprise knockout performance in this role. Her age concerns me, but all other signs point to her being damn good.

Updated On: 2/15/07 at 06:53 AM

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 7:37am

I can't stand her, and I'm not liking this idea.

[PirateSmile]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 8:06am

Well, I'm applauding her for having the guts to start out on BW, not regional theatre, and am willing to see what she can do before making a pronouncement...

[peaceone]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 8:16am

Give the girl a chance, i'm sure Oprah and the rest of the producers saw somthing in Fantasia and thats why they offered her the role..She's coming on the Oprah Show very soon and i'm pretty sure Oprah will explain the reasons why out of all the singers and actresses out there why they choose her.



I have faith

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 8:29am

Usually I'm all for giving someone a chance, however, we've already heard Fantasia's brand of "singing" and seen her embarrassing attempt to portray HERSELF on film.

I can't imagine her name will sell enough tickets to be worth putting her in front of this otherwise incredibly talented cast.

[peaceone]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 8:38am

^ Lord Jesus, she will have acting coaches this time around don't you think LOL

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 8:39am

I didn't find her performance in the Lifetime movie to be that different in quality from Hudson's performance in Dreamgirls. Fantasia at least has a sort of natural quality (even if she often seemed a bit too mellow and lacking in a real showcase of a strong range of emotions), whereas with Hudson it felt like her timing and her line readings were always off. I could see how Fantasia might do well as an actress if she works at it.

[Trekkie2]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 8:50am

Even if her 'Dreamgirls' screen test was good, that doesn't mean she'll be able to give a convincing live performance in something that does not just require singing.

[ClumsyDude15]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 9:25am

I hate her voice.
She annoys me to no end.
I wanted Diana to win that season.

Jeannette Bayardelle is so amazing, why bring in such a no-talent to play a role because she's a name.

God, sometimes, Broadway just isn't fair!

[ILUVTOMG]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 9:36am

slightly o/t but wouldn't you love to see jennifer holiday as Sofia? (Sophia? Sophie?)

[ClumsyDude15]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 9:37am

"slightly o/t but wouldn't you love to see jennifer holiday as Sofia? (Sophia? Sophie?)"

That'd be amazing.

Her HELL NO would be flippin amazing.

[AngusN]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 9:45am

Oh my. It will be like Donald Duck meets Alice Walker. Fantasia's voice reminds me of Donald Duck, and as for her acting ability- well it's pretty non-existent.
She has a limited fanbase; just look at the lack of sales of her new album. I don't think this is a wise move.

[ClumsyDude15]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 9:47am

"Fantasia's voice reminds me of Donald Duck,"

I said that the moment she auditioned on American Idol.
No one believed me that she sounded like Donald Duck on helium.

[AnaGFan]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 9:51am

I'm sure a lot of people think her voice is amazing.
Like many others, I too can't stand her voice.

[ClumsyDude15]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 10:00am

Agreed, AnaGFan.
Agreed.

[EltonJ]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 10:10am

either you love or hate her voice... but that MUG! Yikes! My watch stopped...