I'm not suprised in the least that Fantasia delivered a stellar "I'm Here." If anything, the girl knows how to sell a number (especially an emotional ballad.) Vocally, I think this score is well within her reach.
The thing that I have concerns about in regards to her casting is the acting and age progression Celie requires. Even if Fantasia turns out to be one hell of an actress (which she very well could be,) I don't think she'll be able to believably make the transition from teenager to elderly woman.
Regardless, I wish her all the best and hope (for both her sake and that of the show) that she turns out to be a first rate Celie. I hope to be pleasently suprised!
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.