Jennifer Hudson

[bryan2]

Posted: 3/11/16 at 2:08pm

Heading to NYC this weekend was thinking about seeing the Color Purple...how has Jennifer Hudsons attendance been...I really would like to see her

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 3/11/16 at 2:10pm

Has she missed a performance? I don't believe she has (but I could be wrong). If she has it's been rare.

Updated On: 3/11/16 at 02:10 PM

[cuz-i-can]

Posted: 3/11/16 at 2:20pm

Surprisingly, out of the 3 leads she's the only one who has not missed a performance. That was one of my fears about this project. I'm a big fan and hope to see her when I do come to nyc, but I'm glad she's not pulling a Fantasia (missing the majority of her performances in her run of the Color Purple)

[ljay889]

Posted: 3/11/16 at 2:28pm

She seems extremely committed to the show. It's very refreshing. She's wonderful.

[uncageg]

Posted: 3/11/16 at 2:35pm

Hearing her live was a joy. Saw the show 2 weeks ago. She is doing a fine job in her Broadway debut. A while ago I was at the theater to meet a friend after the show.  He was nackstage so I hung out by stage door. Took a while for her to come out but just watching her, she seemed to be very gracious with the fans. Enjoy the show. It is wonderful.

[Jshan05]

Posted: 3/11/16 at 3:05pm

That is extremely rare with such big stars these days. The fact that she hasn't missed one makes me throw some major respect her way! Can't wait to see her belt her face off in Push Da Button in a few weeks when I see the show! 

[bryan2]

Posted: 3/11/16 at 3:10pm

Thanks guys/gals for all the info I appreciate it and now feel good...!!!

[BenjaminNicholas2]

Posted: 3/11/16 at 3:17pm

Comparing Hudson to Fantasia is an apple & orange debate:  Two different roles and two very different performers.  Sug Avery is nowhere NEAR as taxing a role as what Fantasia had to go through with Celie...  Not that I supported her calling out as much as she did.

 

Hudson very well may have had a much less perfect attendance record if she was carrying the show as Erivo is. 

 

 

[cuz-i-can]

Posted: 3/11/16 at 3:24pm

BenjaminNicholas2 said: "Comparing Hudson to Fantasia is an apple & orange debate:  Two different roles and two very different performers.  Sug Avery is nowhere NEAR as taxing a role as what Fantasia had to go through with Celie...  Not that I supported her calling out as much as she did.

 

 

 

Hudson very well may have had a much less perfect attendance record if she was carrying the show as Erivo is. 

 

 

 

 

 

"

I'd have to respectfully disagree. I think Jennifer Hudson's work ethic speaks for itself and she said her main goal in this production and her first time on Broadway was to have perfect attendance. I know plenty of people that worked on the original production with Fantasia and they said she came into the production very unprepared, arrogant, with a diva like attitude. Granted she was riding high off of her recording career success, but Broadway kicked Fantasia's ass, and she may have felt because of her star power she didn't have to work as hard. They had to dumb down some of the cheography and scenes in the show so she could keep up. I've never seen Fantasia in this production but people I know who have said the show changes when she's in it to play to her strengths, which isn't a bad thing especially if you need her to sell tickets.But Fantasia was not turning in a Lachanze or Erivo kind of Celie performance. I believe now that Fantasia would do better on Broadway since she's grown and has a better appreciation for it. But my bet is Jennifer Hudson would've carried the show and her attendance would've surpasses Fantasia's bar none.

[uncageg]

Posted: 3/11/16 at 3:26pm

I will warn you. Hudson does a great job with Push Da Button but I found that they put a bit of "restraint", for lack of a better term, on the songs. The notes are all there but they don't soar as they did in the original. The only way I can explain it is that the vocal arrangements are in line with the minimalistic production. With that said, this cast sings their butts off and add there own vocal inflections to to the songs. Hudson's "Too Beautiful for Words" almost reduced me to tears. I did mist up big time while she sang it. And then there is Danielle Brooks. Wow!

Updated On: 3/11/16 at 03:26 PM

[cuz-i-can]

Posted: 3/11/16 at 3:40pm

uncageg said: "I will warn you. Hudson does a great job with Push Da Button but I found that they put a bit of "restraint", for lack of a better term, on the songs. They notes are all there but they do soar as they did in the original. The only way I can explain it is that the vocal arrangements are in line with the minimalistic production. With that said, this cast sings their butts off and add there own vocal inflections to to the songs. Hudson's "Too Beautiful for Words" almost reduced me to tears. I did mist up big time while she sang it. And then there is Danielle Brooks. Wow!

 

"

I completely agree with you!!! Obviously already being a fan of Cynthia, Jennifer, and Danielle's voices I knoew this cast was going to heavebly when I saw that Patrice Covington (squeak) and Rema Webb (church lady and shug understudy) were joining the cast!!! Them ladies can sang!!! and after hearing the soundtrack I am in love with Carrie Compere's (church lady and sofia understudy) voice

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 3/11/16 at 5:09pm

Hudson's "Push Da Button" is magnificent, but don't expect to see a present-day Jennifer Holliday-esque performance of the song. Hudson doesn't try to show off her vocal range or how loud she can sing. She of course sings it perfectly but her choices are very character-specific and because of that they are somewhat more sensual and intimate than bombastic. She is one of the many highlights of a production that is pretty much perfect from top to bottom. I was a mess from the middle of "I'm Here" through about 10 minutes after leaving the theatre.

[cuz-i-can]

Posted: 3/11/16 at 5:18pm

ray-andallthatjazz86 said: "Hudson's "Push Da Button" is magnificent, but don't expect to see a present-day Jennifer Holliday-esque performance of the song. Hudson doesn't try to show off her vocal range or how loud she can sing. She of course sings it perfectly but her choices are very character-specific and because of that they are somewhat more sensual and intimate than bombastic. She is one of the many highlights of a production that is pretty much perfect from top to bottom. I was a mess from the middle of "I'm Here" through about 10 minutes after leaving the theatre.

 

"

Exactly. But I guess some of the Hamilton fans are intimidated by Hudson's prowess and talent and are using this board to discredit her, in hopes that it will somehow sway tony voters opinion lol. We know Jennifer Hudson is wonderful and has a real shot at winning, and nobody should be mad at that!

[ACL2006]

Posted: 3/11/16 at 8:45pm

It's believed that Hudson only signed a 6 month contract. I would have to imagine that the producers are trying hard to get her to extend, at least through the Tony Awards.

[Kev]

Posted: 3/11/16 at 9:19pm

cuz-i-can, 

"They had to dumb down some of the cheography and scenes in the show so she could keep up. I've never seen Fantasia in this production but people I know who have said the show changes when she's in it to play to her strengths, which isn't a bad thing especially if you need her to sell tickets.But Fantasia was not turning in a Lachanze or Erivo kind of Celie performance."

 

What choreography?  Nothing was dumbed down for Fantasia's "Celie."  This isn't Chicago.  Attendance issues aside, Fantasia turned in a stellar, raw, and nuanced performance.  Each "Celie" in the original production brought something special to the role, and Fantasia was no exception.   

 

And I must echo ray-andallthatjazz86's sentiments re: Hudson.  Her instrument truly could've raised the roof many times but what she executed instead was vocally well-judged & serving of the piece.  

 

The meticulous wall of sound that comes from this company is incredible.  

Updated On: 3/11/16 at 09:19 PM

[sklabam]

Posted: 3/12/16 at 7:36pm

Fantasia didn't miss most of her shows. 

You are mistaken.

[ljay889]

Posted: 3/12/16 at 7:39pm

Fantasia definitely missed 50+ performances. Oprah even called her out over it on her talk show. 

[bryan2]

Posted: 3/13/16 at 10:33am

Wow. Is all I have to say about this production amazing performances and I loved Everyone. Jennifer was in great voice and I loved the way she didn't try to sing her ass off. She sang effortlessly.  All three leading ladies just blew me away. I am here got standing ooo during the song have not seen that since Jennifer Holiday in Boston previews. Ya I am old.   Lol.    Loved loved loved this show!!!

[Hellob]

Posted: 3/13/16 at 11:20am

I felt like Hudson is the weak link of the 3 females. I never felt like she owned the stage. Shug is a legend who makes women lock up their husbands but I didn't feel any heat coming off her. I'm not sure if it was her being directed to be that way or if it was her acting. 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 3/13/16 at 11:50am

Well, Hudson does need strong direction as she's not a good instinctual actress.  She's yet to graduate to leading actress due to this limitation that the film industry quickly caught on to.

 

As is well documented, her Oscar winning performance in Bill Condon's 2006 film adaptation of the musical DREAMGIRLS was created in editing.  Bill Condon guided and coached Hudson gingerly during every facet of production and the entire production was always taking weekly and bi-weekly breaks so he could coach and rehearse her privately for the next sequence about to be filmed.  Due to this, he scheduled the filming of "And I Am Telling You" as the last sequence to be filmed.  Many on set during this say the sequence was shot in numerous takes with Condon having Hudson give different "takes" on verses so he'd have coverage/options to use during editing.  

 

Many iconic film performances were created in editing.  Using different "takes" can be edited as one moment on film so Hudson's isn't a rare case.  Jessica Lange has stated in interviews that Sydney Pollack created her Oscar winning performance in 1982's TOOTSIE in editing.  She was at the beginning stages of her relationship with Sam Shepard at the time so she was distracted and unfocused and unsure of what she was doing during the filming of her scenes so she was surprised to see how her performance was wisely constructed to become coherent and Oscar worthy.  

[BdwayLife]

Posted: 3/13/16 at 12:58pm

I saw the show last Thursday night, and Jennifer's performance was opulent. I couldn't take my eyes off her.  I know that when the show was in previews, some commented that she hadn't quite settled into the role. Her acting was superb. She and Danielle Brooks (Sofia) equally deserve a tony nom for best supporting actress.

[bryan2]

Posted: 3/13/16 at 3:27pm

I don't know when you saw the show but she was certainly not the weak link on Saturday night..Sae was wonderful, sexy , warm and quite funny....As far as Dreamgirls go..she had never acted in her life..and to give the performance she gave takes more than good editing.....and film acting anyway is basically 1000x takes to get one perfect shot....that is why there are movie stars who couldn't get on a broadway stage and cut it...she is more than proving herself in THE COLOR PURPLE  and she has to do so against 2 stage trained powerhouses ...

[cuz-i-can]

Posted: 3/13/16 at 4:14pm

bryan2 said: "I don't know when you saw the show but she was certainly not the weak link on Saturday night..Sae was wonderful, sexy , warm and quite funny....As far as Dreamgirls go..she had never acted in her life..and to give the performance she gave takes more than good editing.....and film acting anyway is basically 1000x takes to get one perfect shot....that is why there are movie stars who couldn't get on a broadway stage and cut it...she is more than proving herself in THE COLOR PURPLE  and she has to do so against 2 stage trained powerhouses ...

 

"

THIS. ^^^^^ THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. SAY IT TWO TIMES BECAUSE I DONT THINK THEY HEARD YOU IN THE BACK!!! I'M SO SICK OF PEOPLE ALWAYS TRYING TO DISCREDIT JENNIFER HUDSON. SHE ALWAYS MEETS AND EXCEEDS ANY CHALLENGE SHE ACCEPTS EVEN THIS ONE ON BROADWAY. I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH YOU ABOUT THE MOVIE, IT TAKES MORE THEN EDITING TO TURN IN A PERFORMANCE LIKE THAT, AND SO WHAT THE DIRECTOR TOOK A BIT MORE TIME WITH HER. AND TO CORRECT THAT OTHER POSTER BILL CONDON ONLY HAD JENNIFER COME IN 2 WEEKS BEFORE THE PRODUCTION BEGAN, TO HELP HER DIVA ATTITUDE BECAUSE HE FELT SHE WAS TOO SWEET AND POLITE. WHAT IS WELL DOCUMENTED FROM THE CAST AND MAKERS OF THE FILM  IS THAT JENNIFER HUDSON WAS STEALING THE MOVIE FROM THE BEGINNING. I HOPE JENNIFER IS NOMINATED AND WINS THE TONY, NOT JUST FOR HER MASTERING AND SENSITIVE APPROACH TO THE CHARACTER OF SHUG AVERY BUT TO SHUT PEOPLE UP EVEN MORE. JENNIFER IS MORE THEN DESERVING OF ALL THE PRAISE SHE GETS. SHUG DOESNT NECCESSARILY HAVE TO BE THIS BUTCH AGGRESSIVE BISEXUAL HARLOT. THATS NOT EVEN HOW SHES PORTRAYED IN THE BOOK, BUT THE WARMTH AND SENSITIVITY THAT JENNIFER GIVES THIS CHARACTERS TRULY AIDES CYNTHIA IN THEIR INTIMATE INTERACTIONS THATS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BETWEEN THESE TWO CHARACTERS IN THE FILM OR THE ORIGINAL BROADWAY PRODUCTION. SORRY FOR THE ESSAY. END OF THE PREACH!

[disneybroadwayfan22]

Posted: 3/13/16 at 4:28pm

[cuz-i-can]

Posted: 3/13/16 at 4:47pm

disneybroadwayfan22 said: "

 

"

lol yea i did get a bit emotional