Jennifer Hudson as Celie???!! What !!!???

[Testing1232]

Posted: 5/25/07 at 10:29pm

So, went to see "Pirates "3" today at the Zeigfeld---
( I am seasick from the plot (or plotS!!!)

Anyway, so I am in the lobby, and my wife has a "Color Purple"
t-shirt on, and one of the ushers says... "nice shirt, did you like the show?"--- so, we start talking about the show with LaChanze and Fantasia, and he tells me that he knows someone that works at the theatre, and that Jennifer Hudson will play Celie when Fantasia's run is over.

Then, a woman behind us says "Yeah, I heard that too" !!

Personally, love Jennifer, but cant see it---- and I am sure its a rumor-- but has anyone else heard this?

[ljay889]

Posted: 5/25/07 at 10:30pm

I'd see that.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 5/25/07 at 10:32pm

Oh, I would see it every night, just to hear that voice !! I just dont think she could pull off Celie--- then again, I wasnt certain about Fantasia, and she won me over..

Weird thing is... the usher seemed VERY sure of this !!

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 5/25/07 at 10:34pm

Sounds fishy to me.

She's working on an album and fielding movie offers.

She strikes me as too busy right now to lay down a committment like that.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 5/25/07 at 10:35pm

I hope she doesn't. She has an Oscar. She could do so much better than taking over for an American Idol cry baby in some lame show.

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 5/25/07 at 10:36pm

I think there are better chances of her starring in a DREAMGIRLS revival than her replacing somebody in The Colour Purple.

[Virgo]

Posted: 5/25/07 at 10:36pm

That can't be true. Plus, she isn't a consistent enough live performer to tackle this role. She better stay on tape for now or take on something much smaller to start off with.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 5/25/07 at 10:39pm

There is NO chance of her starring in a DREAMGIRLS revival, and she would be wise to turn down any offers to do so. At any expense, she must NOT become solely known for Effie White. She did it, she was brilliant, she won the Oscar, move on. Hopefully, she'll learn from Jennifer Holliday's mistakes.

As far as this COLOR PURPLE rumor goes, I'm not so sure that it would be a bad career move. She might sound a little busy to take on Broadway, but the fact that she would be a replacement would not effect her reputation in a negative way, unless of course she's bad.

I think it would almost be a wise decision. I'd love to see her play Celie while she can.

[ucjrdude902]

Posted: 5/25/07 at 10:42pm

shes in post production for WINGED CREATURES-she could do it-but only for a littl bit.

[ljay889]

Posted: 5/25/07 at 10:43pm

That can't be true. Plus, she isn't a consistent enough live performer to tackle this role. She better stay on tape for now or take on something much smaller to start off with.

- This isn't surprising coming from a Fantasia fanatic. No offense. But if someone said Fantasia is an awful/inconsistent actress on film, you would be flipping out at her defense.

[jg4892]

Posted: 5/25/07 at 10:44pm

I think Jennifer can handle the score just fine every night.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 5/25/07 at 10:45pm

<< I think there are better chances of her starring in a DREAMGIRLS revival than her replacing somebody in The Colour Purple. >>

That was my reply---- thats when the lady behind us said she heard "TCP' as well---- weird !!

[Testing1232]

Posted: 5/25/07 at 10:47pm

Btw, they showed the "Enchanted" trailer--- looks very cute !
Corny, but cute !

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 5/25/07 at 10:48pm

Munk- Nowhere in my post did I mention that she was going to do or that there were even talks about doing it. All that I said was that there is a better chance of seeing her do Dreamgirls on Broadway then her replacing Fantasia in a The Colour Purple.

[Virgo]

Posted: 5/25/07 at 10:51pm

" This isn't surprising coming from a Fantasia fanatic. No offense. But if someone said Fantasia is an awful/inconsistent actress on film, you would be flipping out at her defense."

You're are really stupid. I never said she was awful. Why don't you learn how to read? I said she is too inconsistent of a LIVE performer to take on a role this big. Better to stay on TAPE for now, in other words, I think movies are her thing. My opinion you deal with it. Unlike YOU, I know how to say someone isn't right for a role with out calling them names like Awful, cry baby and what not. Grow up folks!!!!!!

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 5/25/07 at 10:51pm

Nowhere in my post did I mention that she was going to do or that there were even talks about doing it.

There actually were/are talks about it.

[D2]

Posted: 5/25/07 at 10:55pm

What, no one saw this coming? Whether it's true or not, it makes perfect sense - she has been talking about wanting to do a Broadway show, she wouldn't be breaking any precedents in a big name taking over in a long running show (CHICAGO, anyone?) and right now it would appear to be the perfect vehicle for her, even in a limited run. And it certainly wouldn't hurt the box office.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 5/25/07 at 10:59pm

As well as the box office has done since Fantasia took over, I think Hudson would send ticket sales thru the roof !!!

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 5/25/07 at 11:01pm

FOA- I know that they were a few articles about that in December I think, but then the buzz about that died off.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 5/25/07 at 11:02pm

Hudson is anything but right for Celie.

The character is supposed to be extremely passive and subdued for a good portion of the show, and Hudson (a powerhouse in her own right) reads as extremely assertive and bold. While I don't think her being a replacement in a Broadway show would be a negative thing for her career, this just isn't the right part for her. She'd be better suited (in five or ten years) for a role like Shug that would at least utilize her natural sauciness and presence.

In regards to a "Dreamgirls" revival, I agree with those saying Hudson's participation would be a big mis-step on her part. Jennifer Holliday's career never got off the ground after her star making turn as Effie because she couldn't distance herself from the role, and Hudson would be wise to not make the same mistake (something I believe she is fully aware of.)

Updated On: 5/25/07 at 11:02 PM

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 5/25/07 at 11:11pm

Well why would she replace somebody in a musical when she could have an entire part in a musical written just for her?

Also if she chose to replace somebody she isnt eligible for a Tony award or nomination, while if she originates a role she is.

[D2]

Posted: 5/25/07 at 11:12pm

Oh yes, they are writing and producing so many original musicals for Oscar winning performers these days.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 5/25/07 at 11:13pm

Wicked,

I cant see her as Celie either, but as beautiful as she is, you really think she could play Shug, rather than Celie??

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 5/25/07 at 11:16pm

Testing, if anything Hudson's good looks would make her more suited for Shug too.

The character of Celie is continuously refered to as "ugly" and "common," and though the actress that plays her doesn't need to be either of those things, she certainly shouldn't stand out in a crowd like Hudson does. I'd say Jennifer fits the more "glamorous" and "vivacious" qualities that are more commonly attributed to Shug.

Looks aside, Hudson just has a natural presence that grabs your attention the minute you lay eyes on her. I can easily see her up there selling numbers like "Push Da Button" that are more of the raucous variety, where as more stalwart pieces (like most of Celie's material) don't play to her strengths.

Though I still don't find this particular show to be an ideal one for her, I do think Shug is a role she could easily knock out of the ballpark, where as Celie would just naturally be a stretch.

Updated On: 5/25/07 at 11:16 PM

[Testing1232]

Posted: 5/25/07 at 11:24pm

Yeah, but look who originated the role, Wicked---

LaChanze-- she is stunning ! She was able to pull it off as Celie, despite her looks-

I think Jennifer would knock "Push Da Button" out of the ballpark as far as the vocals, but not sure that she could "dance the part", and dont think she has the sex appeal needed for Shug.