I know the show recently opened in Los Angeles with Fantasia as Celie yet I was wondering if anyone had any information on performances she does not do. I'm assuming matinees, but according to the tour website, Fantasia and Kenita Miller split the role, or at least it's billed that way.
Now, the only reason why I am asking is because a friend of mine saw the show yesterday and an understudy, Brandi Massey, was on as Celie. I wouldn't mind seeing Brandi but I already have seen a stellar performance given by Jeanette Bayardelle. My entire reasoning to go back is Fantasia. And with the "tumors" she no longer has on her vocal chords, I'm sure she's fine.
Your friend most likely saw yesterday's matinee. The Pantages website, as well as Ticketmaster, state that Fantasia was not scheduled to perform yesterday afternoon, or at any of the Sunday matinees. As far as I know, Kenita Miller is no longer with the company, and Fantasia's shows off are alternated between the two understudies.
I doubt they will give refunds, since I'm sure Fantasia is billed below the title. And they did send out discount offers (half price or more) that failed to mention that almost all of the discounted performances are ones Fantasia isn't doing. So, they were a little shady, but they don't technically have to give refunds.
If you arrive at the theater and see that Brandi Chavonne Massey is on for Celie, run for the hills. If they won't let you return or exchange, give your ticket to a homeless person. I saw her in Boston as Celie and it was a complete disaster. A completely dreadful performance.
Its too bad Kenita is no longer doing the show. She was stunning on every level. I love how Fantasia is backpedaling in the LA Times about her Broadway absences, saying she only missed a "handful" of shows. I tried to see her 3 times (what I consider a handful) and she was out all three times. I think the 50 was right, because almost everyone I know who attempted see her in the show had a slip of paper in their Playbill.
Fantasia tells the LA Times of the end of her Broadway run: "Toward the end of ‘The Color Purple,' I was getting very sick and didn't know it... I would be dead, dead tired and very weak and sometimes dehydrated and no one knew what was going on. I would sweat a lot. Eventually, I went to the best doctor in L.A. and I had two tumors on top of each other down my throat, which were cutting off my breathing. I was busting blood vessels, which was why I tasted blood all the time. So now you have this thing of Fantasia missing 50 shows and it was more like a handful. I don't think they'd ask me to come back if I missed that many shows."
THEY ASKED HER BACK BECAUSE SHE WAS DAMN GOOD AND SHE SELLS TICKETS. She just needs to show up. Seems like the revised schedule might help her stay healthier.
"The sexual energy between the mother and son really concerns me!"-random woman behind me at Next to Normal
"I want to meet him after and bang him!"-random woman who exposed her breasts at Rock of Ages, referring to James Carpinello
Were these injuries due to singing? If so getting a better technique might also help with her attendance record. So is Brandy the only understudy? Because I don't want to see the supposed mess Brandy is if Fantasia is out. We'll see...
BwayTday, I'm guessing the tumors are related to poor vocal technique. She was supposed to see a top vocal coach in L.A. but bailed to attend "meetings" instead rather than save her voice. She needs a vocal coach terribly. No voice = no career.
Well I didn't want to get into it, but he's a Satanist.
Every full moon he sacrifices 4 puppies to the Dark Lord and smears their blood on his paino.
This should help you understand the score for Wicked a little bit more.
Tazber's: Reply to
Is Stephen Schwartz a Practicing Christian
Every time I see Fantasia's name, I can't help put picture the "sweaty" Fantasia photos.
I agree with Adam Greer about Brandi Chavonne Massey. I had to suffer through one of her performances as Elphaba in Wicked. How she gets hired is beyond me.
STOP hating on Brandi, she's great-she acts, sings the HELL out of Celie. To each his own, but judge her for yourself.
She 'keeps getting working' because she auditions, shows-up, and pounds the pavement. I've known Brandi for over 10 years, and she is one of the hardest working actress's i've ever met. She rarely misses performances, she's super talented, and she deserves all the praise in the world for NALA in London, Radio in Caroline, or Change, Elphba, Lucy in J/Hyde, and countless other roles...
To each his own, but she did an outstanding job as Celie the other night
Too bad they don't get Kenita back-she is perfection. Also sad that a talent like Kenita's get sidelined anytime Fantasia wants to step in the role for a bit. That happened during the last leg of the tour.
Fantasia has very little discipline because she never had to bust her ass in this business. Someone like Fantasia would have never made it the old fashioned way because she doesnt have the work ethic. Its what Elaine was referring to in the recent Susan Boyle press. Actors cut their teeth on the way up so they are ready for stardom and have the stamina and work ethic to match it. These overnight sensations dont have that and they dont have the patience for digging in their heels.
I was just reading last night that Debbie Reynolds never missed a performance or a preview of IRENE. That is showbiz! That is work ethic! Debbie was a HUGE star at the time but always showed up and worked-she could have done a star turn, but she never did.
"The sexual energy between the mother and son really concerns me!"-random woman behind me at Next to Normal
"I want to meet him after and bang him!"-random woman who exposed her breasts at Rock of Ages, referring to James Carpinello
I agree about her lack of work ethic. Not only had she never had to bust her ass in this business, but she never even had a regular job before she showed up on Idol. I remember in one of the interviews she said that all she used to do during the day is watch TV and braid her daughter's hair. So, what do you expect ?
It's a shame she doesn't appear to have a good work ethic, because I was one of the lucky few people who did get to see her on Broadway, and her performance was incredible. Like ridiculously amazing. Leaps and bounds ahead of all the other Celies I've seen. She's got a lot of talent, but is apparently not cut out for this. A true shame.
Oh well, if Laura Benanti still gets hired, why shouldn't tasia? (Benanti had a pretty good attendance record in Gypsy til she won the Tony)
Maybe it's not that she doesn't have a strong work ethic, maybe she just pushes herself too hard. She's said in the past that she always gives 110%.
"The gods who nurse this universe think little of mortals' cares. They sit in crowds on exclusive clouds and laugh at our love affairs. I might have had a real romance if they'd given me a chance. I loved him, but he didn't love me. I wanted him, but he didn't want me. Then the gods had a spree and indulged in another whim. Now he loves me, but I don't love him." - Cole Porter
Laura missed performances due to Walking Pneumonia & later on to film Eli Stone (Which she split up her vacation time into a few weekends for)
Granted she may have missed some performances here & there but to compare her to Fantasia, who does this every time she gets a stage gig, is ridiculous.
Laura missed performances due to Walking Pneumonia & later on to film Eli Stone (Which she split up her vacation time into a few weekends for)
Granted she may have missed some performances here & there but to compare her to Fantasia, who does this every time she gets a stage gig, is ridiculous.