Headley's final show in THE COLOR PURPLE

[ACL2006]

Posted: 10/2/16 at 7:36pm

anyone go? I'm curious how the audience was & how Headley was in the bows. Any speeches for her? Disappointed I didn't get the chance to see her in this.

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 10/2/16 at 7:47pm

I saw her last month. She was spectacular.  I never really thought she was much of an actress but she brought layers upon layers to Shug.  Errivo was great but Headley's performance is the one that has stayed with me.

[Jarethan]

Posted: 10/2/16 at 7:56pm

Are you serious?  Speeches for someone who did not originate the role and was only in the show for 3 months or so?  That would be positively silly.  Of course, in this world in which audiences stand for almost every piece of crap, maybe I'm wrong.

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 10/2/16 at 7:58pm

Jarethan, can you chill out? Headley's performance in this show has been regarded as one of the best things to happen on Broadway in 2016. Her departure is noteworthy.

I wish I could have been there today, but am grateful to have seen her and Ms. Erivo make magic together three times. Some of the best theatre I've ever had the privilege attending.

[icecreambenjamin]

Posted: 10/2/16 at 8:02pm

Jarethan said: "Are you serious?  Speeches for someone who did not originate the role and was only in the show for 3 months or so?  That would be positively silly.  Of course, in this world in which audiences stand for almost every piece of crap, maybe I'm wrong.

 

"

Ew.  Such negatively.  Jeez did you lose out to her for a role or something?

Headley was spectacular and I really wish that she were on the cast album.

 

[PianoMann]

Posted: 10/2/16 at 8:06pm

It looks like the cast treated Headley to a really emotional farewell:

https://www.facebook.com/ColorPurpleMusical/videos/1591041031192128/ 

I'm so glad someone captured this on video!

[Mcom]

Posted: 10/2/16 at 8:15pm

I attended the show today for the first time. (Interestingly, I also attended Heather's last performance in Aida on 9/9/2001)

The standing room only crowd was electric from the first chords. There were standing ovations after Push the Button (the cast also erupted in applause, although I'm not sure if that always happens) and I'm Here.

Heather was very emotional during the last few minutes of the show, particularly when Cynthia said ," "Everybody loves Shug". 

It was very apparent that Heather was well loved by the cast. I'm assuming that Cynthia rearranged her bow to allow Heather to come out last. The cast presented her with a large bouquet (purple, of course), a large frame and a small slip of paper from each cast member. Cynthia and Danielle then led the cast in singing the song posted above before they all formed a circle around Heather for quite a long time. It was a very emotional and beautiful afternoon. I'm glad I was there to experience it. Can't wait to see what Cynthia and Heather will do next. 

 

[Dancingthrulife2]

Posted: 10/2/16 at 8:29pm

I was there this afternoon, and and it was electric, emotional, and heart throbbing just as Mcom said. It was my fourth time seeing the show and was still amazed by how the show held up so well almost one year after its opening. During the last few moments I was crying like a baby because everything in that house had so much heart in it. I heard a conversation about Heather as I got out of Jacobs: --I want to have her voice. --No, I want to have her soul. I guess that's the highest compliment one can get.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 10/2/16 at 8:40pm

Did Jennifer Hudson get anywhere near this kind of a send off?

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 10/2/16 at 8:44pm

Wow.  That was gorgeous. 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 10/2/16 at 9:04pm

Jarethan -- yes, no one would go to any trouble for a replacement that was there for only 3 months.

 

That was really touching.   I include her performance as one of my all time favorites.

[slumdogdelaware]

Posted: 10/2/16 at 9:14pm

I was there and it was absolutely incredible. Truly just love on & off the stage for Heather. Every number was extra tonight, especially Push The Button. She sings and acts the hell out of this role on a normal day, but tonight she was Shug, purely. I tend to get emotional during the normal spots (I'm Here, Too Beautiful for Words, etc.), but when she did her final bows I just burst into tears because I knew it was the last time I'd get to see her in this role. Also she broke down on the first "Look what God has done" and so did I.

There was a really sweet moment when they were doing curtain call, and you could see Cynthia grab the back of Heather's pants to yank her back before she could walk out, so Cynthia could walk out before her and give Heather the final bow.

I stage doored for approx. an hour and fifteen minutes, and almost all of the cast came out including Heather, Cynthia and Danielle. They do great at the stage door, taking time to talk and greet. Also when Cynthia was signing, a girl came up and started speaking sign language and Cynthia signed right back!! Is there anything that woman can't do, truly? (Also, there was a kid in the crowd who has seen TCP 40 times! A bit excessive I think?)

Overall, it was an emotional rollercoaster and I'm going to miss HH dearly.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 10/2/16 at 9:43pm

They NEED to bring back the best replacement tony award just for Heather. God damnit. 

[haterobics]

Posted: 10/2/16 at 9:47pm

I only saw Heather, and loved her, so I am curious how different she was from Hudson. Anyone?

[WayTooBroadway]

Posted: 10/2/16 at 9:48pm

That was amazing.  Saw the show the other night and Heather brought something different and fully alive to Shug, someone who loved life but also needed to be loved in life.

 

Interestingly enough, Cynthia also did "I Won't Complain" at the American Theatre Wing's Gala this week: https://youtu.be/Xc8nkd8tUlA

[Mediamaven2]

Posted: 10/2/16 at 10:04pm

Echo the above, very emotional, wonderful afternoon. Everything a little bit extra, a little bit more, including the extended hug at the end of What About Love?. You knew it was the actors hugging each other for the last time performing the song together, not just accommodating the incredible audience reaction to everything Heather did...

I was towards the front and saw a few iphones out and recording the curtain call...thought I'd have to wait until tomorrow for it to be posted and  see it again! Glad I didn't even have to wait that long.

[RW3]

Posted: 10/2/16 at 10:06pm

adamgreer said: "Did Jennifer Hudson get anywhere near this kind of a send off?


Yes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wde0gUxFUWw

 

[Broadwaystar2]

Posted: 10/3/16 at 7:22am

Jarethan said: "Are you serious?  Speeches for someone who did not originate the role and was only in the show for 3 months or so?  That would be positively silly.  Of course, in this world in which audiences stand for almost every piece of crap, maybe I'm wrong.

 

"

First of all she was in it for 5 MONTHS. And a large piece of why the show won the TONY. So for you to speak so out of place and bitterly is actually quite silly! She was in the show almost as long as JHUD. And received RAVE reviews. Such raves in fact, the Tony voters came BACK to see her performance. I thought you might want to know the actual facts before writing such post!

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 10/3/16 at 7:28am

Headley's performance was absolutely sensational. Easily one of my favorite performances of 2016. 

[broadwayguy91]

Posted: 10/3/16 at 7:50am

Jarethan said: "Are you serious?  Speeches for someone who did not originate the role and was only in the show for 3 months or so?  That would be positively silly.  Of course, in this world in which audiences stand for almost every piece of crap, maybe I'm wrong.

 

"

rude. 

 

[MyFavoriteBrunette]

Posted: 10/3/16 at 8:15am

icecreambenjamin said: "Headley was spectacular and I really wish that she were on the cast album"

 My sentiments exactly.  I listen to the smidgen of video on YouTube of Heather singing "Too Beautiful For Words" just to get a mini-fix.  She was wonderful in this role and her singing full of soul.  

 

[Baconsizzle62]

Posted: 10/3/16 at 10:16am

Got a closer and clearer video from the second row.

https://www.facebook.com/baconsizzle6/videos/10100110015699746/

 

I wanted to do landscape but didn't want to get caught filming.

Updated On: 10/3/16 at 10:16 AM

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 10/3/16 at 10:27am

Headley's voice not being captured on a cast recording with this sensational production will forever be a travesty. 

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 10/3/16 at 10:56am

[PianoMann]

Posted: 10/3/16 at 11:55am

BroadwayConcierge said: "Headley's voice not being captured on a cast recording with this sensational production will forever be a travesty."

Agreed! I wish they had recorded Heather's songs to release digitally, especially since she only has a handful of songs that they could have recorded in the studio probably without too much time or expense. At least we have some official role of her singing these songs on YouTube...