Reviews For FANTASIA in COLOR PURPLE — Page 5

"Didn't Dianna Degarmo do the tou of Brooklyn also? That is more than just her Hairspray stint. I was also going to mention Jennifer Hudson and someone beat me to it. JOsh Strickland wasn't he an Idol cast off too? Can't we just be happy for these people."

So what you're saying is that you want to change to topic title from Reviews for Fantasia in Color Purple to, Diana Degarmo, Hairspray, Jennifer Hudson Dreamgirls, Josh Strickland Tarzan, etc? (oops you forgot Frenchie Davis - Rent). Sure we can be happy for all of them but I don't see what they have to do with THIS topic.

Here's another question, can't we just be HAPPY FOR THE PERSON the topic is about and keep on track? Of course we don't have to but I just can't understand why people have a hard time accepting what's what. I bet if the reviews had been bad all you fantasia doubters would be discussing are how horrible everyone is saying she's doing and you'd want to discuss the reviews, however, they have been good so you want to instead talk about "othe idols" and ignore the reviews so far. I bet if a negative review surfaces all you doubters are going to be talking is nothing but that review (you already appear to at least be still hoping that there will be some down the line).

I'd much rather hear about The color purple, Lachanze etc. then idol contestants.

I'd like to see Fantasia in a revival of "Ain't Misbehavin." She's been compared to Nell Carter before (by some who considered it an insult), but I think she has the right personality and feel for music to make a successful performance.

Someone noted earlier about Fantasia singing it note perfect. What annoys me about this is ... the fact that they have modified the songs to suit her (limited) vocal range. When she sung on Oprah, and on AI,they have brought the high notes down to suit her voice.
While I agree, that she can convey emotion. This isn't in keeping with the role of Celie. Celie is a very strong willed-character, that deals with her troubles internally. There are very few occassions when Celie openly cries, she deals with her desperate situation like a true martyr, she does not wallow in self-pity.

""Someone noted earlier about Fantasia singing it note perfect. What annoys me about this is ... the fact that they have modified the songs to suit her (limited) vocal range. When she sung on Oprah, and on AI,they have brought the high notes down to suit her voice.""

By the way LaChanze's voice sounds right about now it might have been in her best interest if they had brought the key down for her also. But then she was already well on her way to ruining her instrument before TCP started so I guess she didn't see fit to stop. Fantasia is new to the rigors of Broadway and it is going to be hard enough for her to do the 8 shows a week. Why anyone in their right mind want her to be out there trying to reach for the notes that had LaChanze scraping her vocal cords most nights is beyond me. Do you want her to ruin her voice?

""There are very few occassions when Celie openly cries, she deals with her desperate situation like a true martyr, she does not wallow in self-pity.""

Can somebody please explain to me how openly crying equates to wallowing in self-pity.

"By the way LaChanze's voice sounds right about now it might have been in her best interest if they had brought the key down for her also."

You are absolutely right TooWicked. I'm glad they changed the keys of some of the stuff for Fantasia. Some singers need to learn that just because you can hit some notes doesn't mean you should be hitting them 8 times a week. Especially singing passages that are sustained over the highest part of your range. It's not healthy. Sure you might be able to do it for a while, but for how long? I saw LaChanze twice in CP and the first time she was belting 'I'm Here' to the high heavens with much success, but I was still concerned for her voice. It just sounded like too much strain and work. Sure enough the second time I saw her a few months later, she had already changed a lot of the ending passages to a mix and at some points just flipped into head voice altogether. I wish LaChanze and the writers would have thought some of her music through a little more, but it sounds like Fantasia has already done that.

By the way, if all the raves about her performance are true; I hereby publically eat my words and congratulate Ms. Barrino on an amazing Broadway debut. Best of luck.

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In reference to Fantasia crying: I was at Tuesday night's performance.
Fantasia did not cry during the performance. She had tears in her eyes but she did not cry. It was afterwards when she was presented flowers that the tears flowed.

I am a Fantasia fan but also a HUGE Broadway fan having seen too many plays to count. I saw the Color Purple with LaChanze's understudy (Kenita)in the role. To be honest - Kenita's acting and singing were very boring. Fantasia has made the character a real person. The way Kenita played it was so one dimensional. Fantasia's singing was flawless and filled with the emotion needed to convey the meaning of the songs to the audience. What I thought was just an ensemble play has changed drastically. Fantasia makes CELIE the most important and focal part of the show, Im sure the way it was written. All I can say is- what a difference she makes in that role. Magical is all I can say. The songwriters and producers were there and having eavesdropped on their conversations - they were thrilled beyond belief. One of them said they knew she was going to be great - but not this great. And the other replied - Its amazing. Allee (one of the songwriters)also said I cant wait to hear her sing IM HERE. This from the professionals of the production.

There were so many praises going around the theatre on Tuesday night from the people who wrote, produced and directed this play.

Heres another review from last night. As you can see people in the Theatre are buzzing about Fantasia.

Here it is:

OMG!! I'm so wired right now folks! I can't even put into words the absolute pride I feel for the performance Fantasia gave tonight. I read the reviews from opening night and I was so excited but to actually see her perform in TCP was beyond all expectations. This young lady is awesome! She was SO natural...gosh like she had done Broadway her whole life. I was in complete and utter amazement...

I went with a few friends and they were completely floored by her performance. People around were I was sitting were saying things like "Fantasia was awesome"..."she was so good". I was SO proud of her.

I really must applaud the entire cast because they really are all wonderful but that darn Fantasia was pulling all kinds of emotions out. She was hilarious at times, the facial expressions were on point, the emotion was so real.

You know the part that really got to me though.............it was at the end during curtain call...everyone you know came out and did their bows and then of course Fantasia came out last but it was the way she came out, the cast parts and she comes walking down the middle. I just lost it then. And our girl was STILL so humble and appreciative...she got teary and she was mouthing "Thank you Jesus". The crowd ate Miss Fantasia up, for real. You can tell her performance moved them, just by the standing "O" and the whistles and shouts out. And "Mister" handed her some tissue...that was cute.

Another thing that moved me was after the curtain call, "Mister" addressed the audience regarding "Broadway Cares" and said a little something about giving donations as you depart the theater. Then when he finished he said, "Now you can go back to screaming "Fantasia, Fantasia"....it was so funny and cute...he was flailing his arms and stuff and was yelling "Fantasia, Fantasia"....that was SO sweet.

Anyhoo, I'm beyond tired (and let's just say the traffic was horrendous) but it is all worth it...my heart is so full right now. I love this young lady and I am so proud to be a fan of hers.


Something I forgot to add: I have seen TCP before (last year) with LaChanze and of course she was incredible but if I could say this (without taking away anything from LaChanze) and that is LaChanze was "acting" Celie...Fantasia was Celie.

I totally disagree with you that Kenita R. Miller's performance as Celie was boring. I saw TCP three times and of those three shows, Kenita went on for the once again "out", LaChanze. Kenita's performance was rivoting and top notch.I feel she should be playing Celie permanently. You are certainly entitled to your opinion but I certainly don't agree with it. Kenita R. Miller is a "dues payed" professional.

Just a note - Fantasia sings "Im Here" very differently than the way she sang it on Oprah and on AI.

Heres another review:

http://ybf.blogspot.com/



YBF reader and fan Lauren Smith hit up Fanny's opening night at The Color Purple on Broadway and wanted to give YBF readers her exclusive review of the night...from one YBF fan to others. She's also a writer over at VH-1 news. Here's her review:




Last night, I had the pleasure of being a part of Fantasia’s opening night in “The Color Purple” on Broadway. I’ll admit, I had my apprehensions about a 22-year-old who’d never seen a Broadway show taking on one of the most difficult roles on Broadway. And let’s not forget “Life Is Not a Fairytale: The Fantasia Barrino Story…”

One thing I definitely did not expect from Fantasia was how funny she would be! Of all five times I’ve seen the production, Fantasia was by far the funniest and most relatable Celie. Her facial expressions when interacting with the actresses who play her sister Nettie and Shug Avery were absolutely priceless. She also did a little bit of her trademark Fantasia ‘dancing’ toward the end of the show when she was trying to get her flirt on.

Fantasia’s acting and characterization of Celie was pretty good. So good, in fact, that I almost forgot that she had braces. Almost. She did a little too much fake crying throughout the show, and she’s going to need some help making the transition from young Celie to older Celie. But, all things considered, her acting was definitely a huge leap away from the ‘acting’ in that unfortunate Lifetime movie. And that’s the last time we’re going to bring that up.

As a die-hard Color Purple fan, I definitely noticed a few times when Fantasia stumbled over her lines. Maybe it was the excitement or the braces, but she definitely said “fose foffice” for “post office” and stumbled a bit over her “I curse you Mister..” speech toward the end of the show.

Of course, it comes as no surprise that Fantasia completely brought the house down every time she opened her mouth to sing. She really has an amazing instrument, and she did a brilliant job finding a balance between making the songs her own and maintaining the integrity of the story. I even found myself shouting a few too many “you go, girl!”s. She was that good.

During the final bows, the audience gave Fantasia a standing ovation, and when she saw all the people clapping for her and her huge purple bouquet from the cast, she went into full-on ugly cry mode. You could tell she was completely overwhelmed, touched, and proud of herself. She was definitely moved, and so was everyone else. Overall, Fantasia definitely proved that she has the chops to carry a Broadway show, and I know that she will only get better and better for the rest of her six month run. Go see it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Forgot to mention this on my last post---- while at the theatre tonight, someone asked if the souvenier program included pictures of Fantasia. Of course, it had not yet, but according to the gentleman at the merchandise table, both the program, AND the Cast Recording are going to be redone with "Fantasia" as Celie.

Thanks for the review, testing. Seeing her at the end of what was probably a very emotional and draining week is a good test.

I'm very excited to hear the new cast recording.

Another blogger review:

last night, i had the great pleasure of watching fantasia barrino's broadway debut performance as celie in the color purple. it. was. amazing!

i had been putting off going to see the show because i found myself incredibly disinterested as the title songs of the movie were not included in the stage production. but when i heard that fantasia was joining the cast, i immediately went to the theater and bought tickets for her opening night. and trust me when i say... she did not disappoint!

the whole time she was on stage i just felt this sense of pride. i was just so proud of her and how far she's come. she's just such a beautiful person and has such an amazing voice. it was really the perfect role for her because of its intensity and the musical itself just allowed for her voice to shine. damn, that girl can sang!

she sang her heart out in every single song. and in the gospel finale, she gave us that fantasia bounce that only she can do, and i damn near cried. i was just so happy for her. it's such a great feeling to watch god in action like that. she cried her eyes out during the curtain call when she came out to a rousing standing ovation- and you could totally tell that she knew that that moment was nothing but god.

and, on top of her performance, i ended up loving the show as a whole. the cast was amazing, and even included someone i knew from my church in california (which was cool to see). the whole cast can sang, but fantasia was just the icing on the cake for me. if you have the chance, please go see her in this show. you will NOT be disappointed.



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Updated On: 4/16/07 at 01:02 AM