New musical for Fantasia?

[hilltop]

Posted: 7/10/07 at 6:57am

From Rush and Molloy:

Fantasia staying in spotlight

Audiences adore Fantasia Barrino in "The Color Purple"; now the "American Idol" songstress is in talks to extend her time on Broadway with a new show.

The singer is negotiating with the producers of a big musical to be based on the life of Ada (Bricktop) Smith, an African-American expatriate in Paris in the 1920s who became a nightlife queen.

Bricktop's is a great story. She rose from humble beginnings in Alderson, W. Va., to become the toast of Paris in the Roaring '20s, where she was first employed overseas by Cole Porter to teach dances such as the Charleston at his parties.

By 1929, she owned her own nightclubs such as The Music Box, Le Grand Duc and her famous Chez Bricktop, where she entertained Porter, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, and F. Scott Fitzgerald. Porter wrote "Miss Otis Regrets" for her. She even worked with Josephine Baker and Mabel Mercer.

Chuck Seffan's doing the lyrics for the musical, and composer Ron Abel will weave together new arrangements of the era's great jazz standards along with his original tunes.

Abel will announce the project Sunday night at Birdland during a performance of his hits and original music he has composed for the show, to be sung by Michele Lee, Lucie Arnaz, Valerie Pettiford, Billy Stritch and Sally Hayes.

He'll be joined by the show's producers, Paul Lambert and Jonas Neilson - who are also working on a Broadway version of "The First Wives Club" - with composer Marvin Hamlisch expected in the audience.

Barrino's management says she hasn't yet brought the project to their attention and confirm that she will remain in "The Color Purple" through the end of the year.

Meanwhile, those working on "Bricktop" hope the show will hit Broadway in early 2009 after a trial run in Chicago.






Strange that she's allegedly "in talks" to do a new show without her management being aware of it.

The part about her extending her Color Purple run until the end of the year has been confirmed by the Color Purple box office.

link Updated On: 7/10/07 at 06:57 AM

[Virgo]

Posted: 7/10/07 at 12:34pm

It seemed like not too long ago a thread posted with a title of Fantasia even thinking about doing a broadway show would have gotten all kinds of boos. It's nice to see that has changed.

This sounds like something very different from what she's doing in TCP. I'd like to see her knock out an entirely different role to even better reviews while originating the role. I think she'd do really great in any role because I think she's dedicated to the process of learning and working hard to achieve the maximum of a character. Broadway, thus far, seems like it has been a breeze for her (and I know it isn't easy) and they've totally welcomed her with open arms.

Anyway, we shall see, but I know she's got to have a ton of offers out there, with reviews like hers, it's no surprise. I say, keep learning and growing, learning to act in the theater is some of the best training an actor and/or singer can receive.

[antonijan]

Posted: 7/10/07 at 4:18pm

I am very excited for Fantasia!!!

[me2]

Posted: 7/10/07 at 4:41pm

I'm happy for her.

Now, if the composer could just pastiche the style of music rather than using old songs, I'd be very excited.
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[Funny Face]

Posted: 7/10/07 at 5:23pm

That sounds a lot like Josephine Baker's life. They should just do a show based on her. She's way more popular.

Fantasia is amazing in TCP. It'd be interesting to see her in a role that is a little more removed from her own life experience.

[jv92]

Posted: 7/10/07 at 9:26pm

No! Enough already!

[jimnysf]

Posted: 7/10/07 at 10:54pm

Maybe she can get Donna Murphy and Sara Ramirez to join her?

[Sonia&Vernon]

Posted: 7/15/07 at 10:21pm

Was anyone at Birdland tonight? I'm a big fan of Lucie Arnaz, Michele Lee, and Valarie Pettiford. I was just wondering if they were they onstage alot or where there many other people performing? Any star sightings?
Updated On: 7/15/07 at 10:21 PM

[G_Schlozinski2]

Posted: 7/15/07 at 10:31pm

I think Fantasia would be just perfect for the role of Eartha Kitt in the upcoming jukebox musical based on the life of Lady Bird Johnson, don't you?

I hear Lucie Arnaz and Michelle Lee are competing for the roles of the Johnson daughters... "the minor birds."


Updated On: 7/15/07 at 10:31 PM