Fantasia out again Thursday 10/25

Had 2 free tickets to the show tonight. Got there and the board was up and the special notice sign that said Fantasia was out of The Color Purple was up. There were some very mad people waiting in the refund line. The line was very long. The usher said that this was a very regular occurence and the box office staff will be happy in Jan when she is gone. She also said that half of the time she does not even give the proper notice, calling out just prior to curtain.

I decided to stay but left at intermission. Not so much because of the show but more due to the very rude audience. There were way to many people talking back to the action on the stage. This is not interactive theater. I do not know how anyone would put up with that.

I usually do not talk bad about people being out of shows but from everything I read, this type of behavior by a so called professional is unacceptable.

Updated On: 10/25/07 at 11:05 PM

Tuesday night they said she was on vacation for two weeks.

It cracks me up how the ushers are bad mouthing Fantasia. They have no idea how hard that role is - and I'm not talking about the singing. Tony award winner and Broadway Vet LaChanze was absent more than Fantasia has been. So I guess Broadway vets have no more "professionalism" than a "reality" show winner. Fantasia has been in the business for over 4 years and has always been very professional while touring. She is also very respected in the music industry. 10 to 1 her absences are always justified. And the producers will not always announce her absence when they know ahead of time. I wonder if she is working on promoting her new soon to be Grammy nominated song with Aretha Franklin? I know they give Elizabeth Withers time off to promote her music.

uncageg,
Saw her in last Sunday's matinee.


dream on,
It doesn't surprise me in the least that the producers of the show may not want the public to know about her planned absences from the show. Remember Donna Murphy's absences and Wonderful Town? Fantasia gets ripped to shreds by the armchair quarterbacks on this board and the ushers apparrently, while the show's producers keep mum and count their $$$. Deja vu all over again.

"It cracks me up how the ushers are bad mouthing Fantasia. They have no idea how hard that role is - and I'm not talking about the singing."

Ushers know a lot more about the roles in a show than some of the actors. Most of the ones on Broadway have been doing it for decades and have seen it all. They know a lot more than you people give them credit for.

"They sound disgruntled and jealous to me."

Responding to criticism of a performer with "ur just jelus!!1" = FAIL.

Updated On: 10/26/07 at 12:32 PM

Fantasia was out Wednesday 10/24. I think many people entered the theatre not knowing she was out and a woman I spoke to said it was not announced prior to curtain, just posted in the lobby, which many people dont read. People were losing their minds the night I was there trying to get refunds. I have attempted to see Fantasia twice, three months apart and both times she was out. I dont count it as anything other than bad luck. Although the woman in front of me said that she has tried to see Fantasia four times and is giving up. I am not attacking Fantasia for missing, I dont know her reasons, but it is too bad that the producers just keep touting her and she is on every flyer as well on the videos playing outside the Bway Theatre just promoting the hell out of her-so when she doesnt show up it is a chaotic mess. She's not easy to replace, especially when her notices are so good and everyone who has seen have just loved her. It makes it all the more disappointing to folks,especially those who made a special trip to see her. It's just too bad-not blaming Tasia.

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She was out both Wednesday matinee and evening.

She wasnt listed on vacation when I purchased the tickets 2 weeks ago.

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when i saw it (not too long ago), it was a Wed Matinee and she was in (but has missed Tues night's performance)

I'm sure TCP producers are putting up with the last minute call ins due to the $ she's brought in and the reviews she's gotten. She gets the kid glove treatment until the end of her run. At that point it will be interesting to see if her lack of respect for the fans and her show (I don't know what else to refer to it other than disrespect) damages her reputation enough that future shows are hesitant to hire her. I'd have to question the professionalism of a person who seems to be losing interest in her role three months before her end date.

It's sad that people were so receptive to her and she repaid them by getting bored with it all.

Updated On: 10/27/07 at 12:19 PM

Foster - you are confusing me with someone else.

I have seen the Color Purple with Kenita and with Fantasia.

I think its unprofessional for people working at the Theatre to be bashing their co worker like they are. If I did that at my job I would be fired immediately.

I don't think Fantasia is losing interest. She was very sick a few months ago and never took a vacation. I think its the Producer's fault for not notifying the public if she is on vacation now.

Im sure Fantasia is being courted by many people to do another Broadway show. I personally would like to see her take a year off and do her music. People are lined up for years wanting to work with Fantasia. Its too bad some are having the wrong impression of her.

Also to the person complaining about the audience talking back in the show - the cast members enjoy it. Maybe you need to relax a little - its a fun show and parts of it do call for the audience to react. Its not shakespeare.

Updated On: 10/27/07 at 12:51 PM

KellyW,

"losing interest" is only in your mind and your explanation.
you don't know what is REALLY going on.

you think that Fantasia is "acting up" and that the producers are "putting up with it"

My guess is that her missing some shows may be perfectly known to them upfront, and that there is an unofficial agreement that she may do so. And that this understanding is something that they are choosing not tell anyone.

These same producers may have "put up with the same" from LaChanze during her time in the show.