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Phylicia Rashad to take over as Violet Weston — Page 4

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#76

re: Phylicia Rashad to take over as Violet Weston

Posted: 3/6/09 at 10:18pm

She is 60. There is no role for a 60 year old in THE COLOR PURPLE.
"Winning a Tony this year is like winning Best Attendance in third grade: no one will care but the winner and their mom."
-Kad

"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
#78

re: Phylicia Rashad to take over as Violet Weston

Posted: 3/7/09 at 1:15am

I'd love to see an African-American cast of the Weston sisters. How fabulous would someone like Viola Davis be as Barbara?
I actually think Letts was writing about a white family which is what makes the interactions with Johnna so significant. Could it work with a black actress as the matriarch? Sure. Yet, I think it might take a bit from the racial tensions between Johnna and Violet. Yes, there are Black racists, but there's not a history of black people oppressing Native Americans the way there is a history of white people massacring Native Americans, which I think is highly significant to the interaction between Johnna and Vi.
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"

Updated On: 3/7/09 at 01:15 AM

#79

re: Phylicia Rashad to take over as Violet Weston

Posted: 3/7/09 at 1:28am

The only problem I foresee with the casting of Rashad is her dynamic opposite Johanna Day's Barbara.

While I enjoyed Day and thought her take on the role was strong in a very different way than the definitive Amy Morton, she is almost ideally paired with Estelle Parsons. They both bring a lighter sensibility to their characters that perfectly compliments one another and makes for a very believable mother-daughter relationship.

I see Day's characterization getting completely eaten alive by Rashad, though. That won't serve the piece very well. Barbara needs to stand her ground against Violet at all times, something that is going to be harder to accomplish now.
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.

Updated On: 3/7/09 at 01:28 AM

#80

re: Phylicia Rashad to take over as Violet Weston

Posted: 3/7/09 at 1:31am

double post.
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.

Updated On: 3/7/09 at 01:31 AM

#83

re: Phylicia Rashad to take over as Violet Weston

Posted: 3/10/09 at 11:44am

Letts and Shapiro know what they're doing. Rashad is a capable actress who is totally qualified for the part. It isn't against type other than the fact that the part may or may not be written for a white actress. But, who cares? I certainly don't. If the show stays open long enough for her to come in (which clearly the producers are willing to do), I'll be very willing and excited to see her take.

As for Johanna's dynamic from Estelle to Phylicia, she can absolutely change. Amy changed from Deanna to Estelle, so why can't Johanna? It's called acting.
#84

re: Phylicia Rashad to take over as Violet Weston

Posted: 3/10/09 at 12:46pm

Actually, although it hasn't been announced, Amy Morton is returning to August: Osage County pretty soon, so I hear. So yes, somehow, some way, Phylicia Rashad gave birth to Amy Morton, Mariann Mayberry, and Sally Murphy. And with a flash, the play's style went from realism to absurdism.
#87

re: Phylicia Rashad to take over as Violet Weston

Posted: 5/13/09 at 11:51pm

Okay, so Estelle is leaving this Sunday, 5/17, a full week before Phylicia takes over. Understudy Susanne Marley will play for the week May 18-25.

Thoughts?
2010

Feb. 28 - Looped, Feb. 28 - Next to Normal, March 4 - Hair, March 11 - A Little Night Music, March 24 - Time Stands Still, April 6 - La Cage Aux Folles, April 10 - Anyone Can Whistle (City Center), April 10 - Looped, May 9 - Enron, May 15 - A Little Night Music, May 15 - A Behanding In Spokane, May 30 - A Behanding In Spokane, May 30 - A Little Night Music, June 20 - A Little Night Music, June 23 - Red, June 23 - Sondheim on Sondheim, July 13 - A Little Night Music, July 18 - The Grand Manner (Lincoln Center)

#89

re: Phylicia Rashad to take over as Violet Weston

Posted: 5/14/09 at 12:00am

^ Why Parsons is leaving early and any thoughts on the understudy if anyone has seen her perform. Might be an exciting opportunity to see the understudy.
2010

Feb. 28 - Looped, Feb. 28 - Next to Normal, March 4 - Hair, March 11 - A Little Night Music, March 24 - Time Stands Still, April 6 - La Cage Aux Folles, April 10 - Anyone Can Whistle (City Center), April 10 - Looped, May 9 - Enron, May 15 - A Little Night Music, May 15 - A Behanding In Spokane, May 30 - A Behanding In Spokane, May 30 - A Little Night Music, June 20 - A Little Night Music, June 23 - Red, June 23 - Sondheim on Sondheim, July 13 - A Little Night Music, July 18 - The Grand Manner (Lincoln Center)

#90

re: Phylicia Rashad to take over as Violet Weston

Posted: 5/14/09 at 12:04am

I don't think Parsons is leaving early. I just don't think Rashad is available until that date.

I have never seen Marley go on as Violet, but others have, and seemed to enjoy her. My friend saw her as Mattie Fae and loved her.
#91

re: Phylicia Rashad to take over as Violet Weston

Posted: 5/14/09 at 12:06am

I'll def. check out Rashad. I'm curious to see her.

Now I'm confused. Rondi Reed won for her portrayal as the "funny" sister? So Deanna D. vs. Amy Morton? Who won that battle? I didn't know the show when it was up for all it's Tonys, but I just assumed the Mother/Daughter team won, but I guess I was wrong, right?
#92

re: Phylicia Rashad to take over as Violet Weston

Posted: 5/14/09 at 1:59am

I'm not sure what you mean exactly RippedMan, Deanna--the matriarch-- won over Amy--playing the eldest daughter, they were both nominated in the same category and while I personally thought Amy should have won, it was Deanna who got the award.
Rondi Reed won in the Featured Actress category for playing the Aunt, Violet's sister.
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"
#94

re: Phylicia Rashad to take over as Violet Weston

Posted: 5/14/09 at 12:33pm

Couldn't they be bothered to photoshop Elizabeth Ashley in there too?
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"
#96

re: Phylicia Rashad to take over as Violet Weston

Posted: 5/19/09 at 8:01pm

I saw her back in January--a great performance, but honestly a little bit of a letdown after seeing (and expecting to see again) Estelle Parsons.
I chose, and my world was shaken. So what? The choice may have been mistaken. The choosing was not.

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