LaChanze's Last Performance Review

[defyingravity11]

Posted: 11/6/06 at 2:48pm

It was one of the best theatrical experiences I ever had!

So I woke up at 5am in order to get to the rush line at 6am. When I got there four people were already waiting in line. The girl at the front of the line had been there since 4:45am! The rush line remained relatively short until 8am. I met some pretty colorful characters. There was this one guy from Philadelphia who tried to cut the line at 10. He just marched up and said that he needed tickets for him and his wife and that he was going to get them. I felt upset because people had been waiting so long and counting the people going to matinee and evening performances so that they wouldn’t be waiting for nothing. We eventually got rid of him though. There was also talk of which performance to see as we all wanted to see LaChanze’s last performance. One of the guys ahead of me was related to someone in the cast and told me that he knew that LaChanze would do the evening, so my friend and I decided on that performance. Oh, and I had my first cup of coffee (to warm up because it was so cold)!

When we finally arrived at 7pm we could feel the excitement in the air. When we were waiting in line to go into the theater, we found out that the woman behind us had a cousin that was a godparent or (some such relation) to LaChanze. Our seats were amazing! First row directly behind the conductor (who was SO nice)!

Mysterious Ways – The overture got thunderous applause and the entire opening sequence was filled with energy. Carol Dennis was amazing as usual and really let loose, especially in the choreography. I was also glad to see Doug Eskew as the Preacher because I had seen a swing as him the last time I saw the show. Everyone was really on. LaChanze was greeted with tremendous applause when she made her first entrance.

Somebody Gonna Love You – Beautiful! Just beautiful. I could really appreciate LaChanze’s characterizations on a second viewing.

Our Prayer – Seeing LaChanze and Darlesia perform this number together for one last time was very special. You could just tell in there eyes what they were feeling. JC Montgomery was on as Mister. It took the first act for him to grow on me. Initially I thought his voice was too pop for the score and that he wasn’t menacing enough, but his second act was amazing.

Hell No! – I love Felicia! This number was great! She had the audience in the palm of her hand. The energy onstage and in the audience was just amazing. The embrace between LaChanze and Felicia at the end was longer than usual.

Brown Betty – So much fun! Brandon Victor Dixon really shines in this role.

Shug Avery Commin’ to Town – The Church Ladies were hysterical! Elisabeth Withers-Mendes got a great applause at her entrance.

Too Beautiful for Words – This was where I broke down. Elisabeth was holding back tears and LaChanze was crying. Simply beautiful. A very special moment.

Push Da Button – Amazing as usual! There was something different about the cast’s interaction with LaChanze, especially with the but grabbing at the end.

What About Love? – I cried. So moving! There was a group of people that laughed during the beginning of the number which I thought was rude. LaChanze was crying in Elisabeth’s arms at the end of the song. She almost lost it during the Act I Finale. She could barely get out her first “She’s alive!” Major applause at the end.

African Homeland – I always thought that this number was too long, but this night I really didn’t want the evening to end. All the ensemble members got applause during their solo bits. LaChanze also got applause when she did her dance break.

The Color Purple – Both LaChanze and Elisabeth were crying! During the first few lines of the number I was looking up Elisabeth’s nose, but I was fine with that! They just did such a lovely job.

Celie’s Curse – The scene leading up to this is one of my favorite scenes. LaChanze got a huge applause at her “But I’m here!” Everyone was incredible. JC did a good job with this number, it was just very different from Kingsley Leggs.

Miss Celie’s Pants – High energy! Lots of applause and laughs.

Any Little Thing – Hysterical! Felicia and Brandon were wonderful in this number as they always are!

What About Love? (Reprise) – So emotional. Elisabeth was hysterical at the end.

I’m Here – I don’t know about anyone else who was there, but I was balling before LaChanze opened her mouth. I do not know how she got through this number. The best she’s ever done! She was crying throughout the whole thing, but that didn’t affect the quality of her voice at all. I can’t even describe what it was like. She got major applause for the extended “sing out!” as well as “I’m thankful for lovin’ who I really am.” She almost got overwhelmed at the end, but finished beautifully. The applause was deafening!

The Color Purple (Reprise) – Everyone was balling! LaChanze almost had to speak through some of the beginning. Lots of extra exchanges and hugging. It was just AMAZING! LaChanze had to take a moment to compose herself right before “I don’t think us feel old at all.” Everyone was just in tears and giving a standing ovation during the blackout.

Stage Door – Oh boy! We waited for almost 2 hours! Only ten people were left when the actors came out. We did make friends with the guard at the door. JC was so nice! Elisabeth also came out and took pictures as did Darlesia. LaCanze was SO SWEET! She apologized for taking so long and took pictures and signed everyone’s playbills, books, and posters. She also stayed around to talk to people which I thought was very nice. Felicia came out last and was hysterical! The entire evening (which came to an end at 12:30ish) was incredible!

So that's it!

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 11/6/06 at 2:55pm

Wow, I give you credit for waiting for so long (especially on a Sunday night). I take it that Oprah wasn't there.

[defyingravity11]

Posted: 11/6/06 at 2:59pm

Haha! I actually wrote it today as I had a paper to finish last night for a class this morning! Nope, Oprah was not there, although this one guy popped by the stage door and said that she was. I thnik he was just being rude because of the way he said it and only a few of us were staying for the cast so long after the crowds had dispersed.

[antiandrewx]

Posted: 11/6/06 at 3:04pm

thank you for the review. I love LaChanze and the Color Purple. Sounds like an emotional night.

[Anakela]

Posted: 11/6/06 at 3:50pm

Awesome review!

The only thing I would add is that "I'm Here" also got a standing ovation at the end, in different sections of the audience. But then I was thinking about it and, before last night I've only ever sat in the first two rush rows in the audience at TCP, so I don't know if "I'm Here" always gets scattered standing applause and I've just never noticed? Or if that was extra special LaChanze totally nailed it standing applause. Which she did- totally nailed it! I've never illegally recorded anything in a theatre, but if I could record only one thing and not get caught I would have her last "I'm Here."

I didn't see any signs of Oprah, but there were a ton of other people involved with the show in the audience last night- I know I definitely saw Allee Willis there, but the whole row that she was sitting with had to have been all show people, as the reason they caught my eye is one of the ushers had a couple of the TCP memory books that he was having them sign. So that's the row where I was trying to spot Oprah. :)

[defyingravity11]

Posted: 11/6/06 at 4:36pm

Oh! I didn't realize about the standing ovation (since there wasn't anyone in fron of me). I wanted to stand, but I thought I'd be the only one I did spot Allee Willis as she left! I think that if Oprah was there she would have given the speech at curtain call. Ah well... I'm so glad that you enjoyed it as well :)

[All_For_Laura]

Posted: 11/6/06 at 7:29pm

Wow! I wish I could have been there!