Reviews For FANTASIA in COLOR PURPLE — Page 4

MAN -- would you people feel better if Fantasia was a cold fish and didn't display any emotion? I'm sure she didn't have an easy life and complicated it by having a child when she herself was only a child. Can you imagine the fear of bringing a life into the world that you're not certain you can even provide for? And, basically, in an instant, she's able to provide her daughter with a pretty nice life . . . all because she was blessed with a skill for singing. Hell, I'd be crying all the time if I'd been experiencing things I never even knew existed. She certainly can bring some life experience to the stage that many people her age don't even have for 10-15 years.

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"She certainly can bring some life experience to the stage that many people her age don't even have for 10-15 years. "

What experience would that be ? Having a baby and going on welfare ?

"What experience would that be ? Having a baby and going on welfare ?"

You seem mad at Fantasia for having a baby and being on welfare. Was there not enough welfare funds left to send you your check or something?

Get a grip. The girl has been through some things (rape, domestic abuse, etc), but now she is on Broadway. I bet she never dreamed that people would be coming to see Tasia from North Carolina on the stage in NYC. If I were her, I would cry too.

Anyway, back to discussing things actually relevant to BW. I'm seeing the show next month and will post a review then.

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From ATC...

From the moment she walked on stage, the cheering began, and you knew that the entire audience was supporting her every step of the way. In terms of learning the role, which everyone said would be so tough for her, she was flawless. Every note, line, and movement was spot on. Not only that, but they were all character-driven and moving. She nailed every laugh, and was completely believable as Celie. The tears poured down her face in the emotional moments of the show, and the singing was beautiful and controlled in a way I had never heard her sing before. Her big song near the end of Act 2, "I'm Here," stopped the show, and much of the audience rose at that point to give her a standing ovation. When she came out to bow, the entire theater erupted, and as Fantasia broke down crying, the noise from the crowd was deafening. Alton White, who plays "Mister," handed her a bouquet of flowers, and she gallantly led the cast in a rousing reprise of the title song.
This was a magical evening in the theater. Fantasia's performance not only surpassed all expectations, but ranks right up there as one of the most glorious performances I have ever seen in a Broadway musical. And, trust me, I've seen a lot.

http://www.talkinbroadway.com/allthatchat/d.php?id=1388025


Carry on...

I am very happy to hear that Fantasia is succeeding in this role.

While a lot of people here may not be happy with "stunt casting," it's undeniable that she's bringing in an audience that may never have even considered seeing a Broadway show before but are actually coming into the theater for the first time to see her on stage. If she's exposing a new group of people to this institution we all care a lot about (and delivering a fierce performance in the process,) what's wrong with that?

I spoke to a friend in production last night and apparently she worked very hard in preparation for taking on the role. Ever since she got an informal offer to come into the show back in early February she's been working on the text and score with an acting coach and a vocal coach in Chicago. When the touring company came into town to rehearse, she apparently even sat in on some of their rehearsals and also did work with Gary Griffin (the director.) She came to New York two weeks ago to polish everything over with the musical director and run through the scenes with the understudies and had her final put in Sunday.

I for one give major kudos to Fantasia. To see her investing so much hard work and effort into her performance is a joy to witness, and I wish her all the best on her Broadway debut.

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Updated On: 4/11/07 at 03:15 PM

"i just don't understand what her reading abilities and back story have to do with her playing the role. "

I agree, and I don't understand how after she knocked out this big role that people are still saying she can't read. Obviously she CAN read folks, if she couldn't then she must be one amazing person because there is no way a person could record over 50 songs in their music career, star in a tv movie and now broadway WITHOUT knowing how to read at all. She said she STRUGGLES with reading, that doesn't mean she can't read. Besides, that was over TWO years ago when she said that.

BTW, I'll post in any thread that I choose, if I choose to post in a fantasia thread that's where I will post. If you don't like her and can't accept the fact that folks do then perhaps the "haters" should stay out of threads that say "fantasia" or any topic you dont like.

I'm so glad she's doing well.

Go back to see the original thread about this casting and you'll find a post from me defending her and saying to wait before we attacked her.

I hope she's just as great as some of you all are saying.

FINALLY, a successful performance from an AI alum.

Similarly, playwright extraordinaires Eugene O’Neill and August Wilson were college and high school dropouts respectively. I still marvel at the body of work both were able to compile in a lifetime. Neither grew up in the hoighty-toighty pseudo café society that thumbs its nose at the likes of Fantasia as she tries to gain her footing in a very challenging role on Broadway.

Who knows…perhaps this Broadway stint will inspire Fantasia to sharpen her literary skills and pen works inspired by the events in her own young life. This is a step forward for her. Let’s try to be supportive. I personally welcome her to Broadway any day if it will prevent her from ever putting out any more drivel like her sophomore CD which will hardly go down as the commercial or artistic high point of her post-Idol career IMO.

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"FINALLY, a successful performance from an AI alum. "

Finally ? What about Diana DeGarmo ?

First of all you need to do some serious research. She never said she couldn't read. She had trouble reading. Seems like she overcame that obstacle, from the reviews I've read today, she nailed the part.
You keep running your mouth, saying nothing.

I don't understand or care to understand all this Idol fanwar stuff but a simple use of the search function shows Diana DeGarmo, like Fantasia, faced many doubters before debuting and came away with RAVE reviews from just about everyone here and elsewhere who saw her as Penny. She's been called one of the best actresses to play Penny Pingleton. That's not lukewarm at all.
Why the need to tear one down to build another up when it is clear they both have what it takes to be highly successful actresses in theater?

Why the need to make this about jennifer hudson or diana degarmo. Neither of whom are on broadway or doing movies at this moment. Perhaps start a degarmo or hudson thread and leave this one for "color purple" fantasia reviews.

"God help this board the Fantasia fans found it. Get ready for intimidation ,attacks and bashing."

Umm, this thread says "Reviews for FANTASIA in Color Purple", what's so hard to understand about that? When I come to this thread I'd like to read reviews about the topic instead of fans of people who don't like her flooding it (like you) who don't even plan on seeing her. Unless you're are offering a review or are commenting on a review why post in this topic? It isn't about being a fantasia fan but more about staying on topic and allow those who are actually going to the show or considering it a chance to read the reviews. The only "attackers" are people who are coming in who don't like fantasia and can't accept the fact that so far the reviews are really good.

Updated On: 4/12/07 at 09:30 PM