Jennifer Holliday to join THE COLOR PURPLE — Page 7

I wanted to take a moment to comment on the show since it was my first time seeing it with Jennifer Holliday tonight. My partner had seen it previously with Heather and sung her praises (rightfully so), but since I hadn't seen it, I had nothing to compare it to (except the tour many moons ago with I forget who).

The show was a revelation for me and nothing that we already haven't already posted about in previous threads. I think I started crying 20 minutes in, ugly cried during Act Two, and then had a complete moment of catharsis in the middle of "I'm Still Here". Cynthia, my god, what a truly subtle and beautiful performance and the whole damned shibang - bravo.

I too questioned the casting of Jennifer Holliday in the part. Maybe because I had always thought of Shug as this sexy beast of a thing, which I believe Heather really brought into place and something JHud didn't really exude all too well. But I wanted to give JHoll the benefit of the doubt, especially after watching her Show People and listening to her say how much she wanted to be around that talent, was still willing to audition to be there, and that she was still considered sexy in some parts, even at 56. Good for her for putting herself out there.

I was honestly pleasantly surprised. What I found was two things that I didn't think would go together, actually mesh surprisingly well - kinda like peanut butter and a banana. Her Shug looked like she had seen and been through some ****. She walked like she was about to fall over (and we were concerned) but when she spoke about the loves and experiences she had, I actually felt she had been there and done that. Where I hear Heather really exuded that "can't take your eyes off her" feel, I felt like we were watching the remains of some lauded soul singer wash ashore. And when she sang, it was like an earthquake. I felt like every moment I was watching someone who "used to be". I don't know if that makes any sense, but there you go.

I don't know how much was JHoll and I don't know how much was Shug. And maybe it was me just experiencing an "old" and "new" Tony share the stage together. When they sang together in "What About Love" it was almost Follies-esque in a way. I felt bad for her Shug but at the same time I know she didn't need my pity. There were moments where she said some lines that really spoke a truth, not for Shug, but for Jennifer. I think if she still keeps playing in that direction, she'll find a Shug that really is her own.

I was completely happy with what I saw tonight. And whether she matched Cynthia head-to-head, that really didn't matter to me at least. It was truly wonderful to witness two significant musical theater figures live marvelously together onstage and for that I'm truly grateful.

Updated On: 10/21/16 at 11:35 PM

Intermission the show is AMAZING. It's somehow even better then the last time I saw it. Cynthia is amazing as usual and Jennifer is slaying as well. She has a vulnerability that makes me think her shug has never felt really loved by anyone. She's obviously been around the block. But wow. More late!

I thought the show was truly amazing. Including Jennifer. You she's been through a lot so she means what she says. It was a joy to see her be honest on stage. She slayed Push Da Button, Cynthia was again a revelation. So incredible even more since the last time I saw the show. She actually stopped the show right after Miss Celies Pants to tell someone sitting in Center Orchestra to turn off their camera. She didn't break into her accent though she stayed in her character voice. Once it was taken care of she segued back into the show with "5,6,7,8" it was awesome and she got a great applause. I thought the love duet was really special between Jennifer and Cynthia. The last time I saw the show was when Hudson was in it and she did a serviceable job but Holliday I think hit the nail on the head with her own surprise at her love for Celie. I heard Heather was wonderful. Wish I could have caught her but Jennifer was so good. I'm here was even more incredible. Cynthia's voice has held up extremely well and she is constantly doing amazing work. The whole theatre stood up after I'm Here. The church ladies and ensemble deserve some recognition as well. They are so insanely talented. Also the cast is more in synch then ever. I plan on buying a ticket for Hollidays last performance/the closing show. So sorry for my jumbled thoughts. Also I asked about an updated window card and the man said that Jennifer didn't like the photos taken so she said no to new posters. She looked wonderful in the show. She radiates with genuine love and care. At the end of the show as the cast was exiting she kept looking back to wave bye at the audience. You just know she is truly grateful to be doing this and it makes my heart so happy. I wish I would have stage doored but I always feel bad for doing it because I know how tired the cast must be. Anyway go catch the show if you can!

I guess I am in the minority here. I saw the show last night and thought Jennifer Holliday was borderline awful. It felt like there was very little chemistry between Holliday and the rest of the cast. I also found the new costumes she wore and adjustments in the choreography made for her to be awkward beyond belief. Maybe I am just still spoiled from seeing Heather Headley giving a revelation of a performance. The rest of the cast, and the show as a whole, is still a wonder to behold. Truly a top notch revival.

Updated On: 10/28/16 at 08:05 AM

For anyone who has seen the show... they realize this line was no longer in the show with Jennifer Holliday...?



"I think it pisses God off if you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don't notice it...."



It's my favorite line of the show, and I could not believe it was cut!

Um im 100% sure that she said that line the night I saw it. It was a couple weeks ago. I vividly remember her saying it. It's the direct segue into the title song. Also I thought Holliday was wonderful. I agree with everything you said WickedRocks

It definitely was not in the night I saw. One of my friends noticed it was missing when they saw the show on a different night.

Hey all - sorry if this question has been answered before, but I couldn't find the info on the official website.

I'm seeing this production for the first time on Thursday the 17th - both Jennifer and Cynthia will be out and Danielle will have left. I know Carrie Compere is taking over for Danielle, but does anyone know who will be going on for Jennifer and Cynthia? Any info or reviews will be appreciated.

I saw the show again on Wednesday and Jennifer Holliday became my favorite of the three Shugs in this revival! I fell in love with her interpretation of Shug. She was quirky, mysterious, but most of all she played it with so much warmth, more than Hudson or Headley. It was such a genuine performance, and I have such a new appreciation for Holliday and her great talent. If you haven't seen Holliday's Shug yet, make time to see her!

I was also there on Wednesday night, and after having seen Headley, I was really let down by Jennifer Holliday. She isn't a disaster and does indeed sound lovely, but I found her scenes awkward and stifled. There were several line readings that made me laugh unintentionally- she understands the character fine, but she's not a skilled enough actress to disguise how clunky the book is. In general, actually, I found most of the new supporting cast far too broad, causing the show to lose some of its delicacy. It's still a great and moving production and Cynthia Erivo continues to be remarkable, but I wasn't bowled over like I was the first time I went.

These wide ranges for reviews about Holliday are interesting. Some raves, some pans. I hope she brings her "A" game on closing night as I'll be there with a box of tissues in hand.

I wasn't shocked that I enjoyed Hollidays performance as much as I did, but I was shocked by how well her voiced sounded blended with Cynthia Erivio's. Both women have such distinct chillbump inducing voices on their own, I thought their singing together might be a bit competitive but it was an incredibly beautiful and chillbumps multiplied by two blend.

Yes, it's a very honest performance. She's never self indulgent, and she respectfully sings the score without overdoing the vocal riffs and tricks. I wish I could see her again, but I won't get the chance.