The $6 Million Woman - Fantasia brings big green to

[TooWicked]

Posted: 3/29/07 at 12:02pm

Fantasia's arrival pumps up box office
BY JOE DZIEMIANOWICZ
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Thursday, March 29th 2007, 4:00 AM


Fantasia Barrino's fans know the R&B diva as a one-named wonder, Fantasia.

But around the hit musical "The Color Purple," the 22-year-old star could be called the $6 Million Woman.

That's how much dough has poured into the box office of the hit Oprah Winfrey-produced musical since Feb. 22, when it was announced that the "American Idol" winner would join the show on April 10 in the starring role of Celie.

Fantasia is set to play the part for six months.

The whopping $6 million box-office bump didn't come as a shock to producer Scott Sanders, who suggested the third-season "Idol" champ to Winfrey. The media queen loved the idea. "I wasn't sure how immediate the response would be," says Sanders. "But I was expecting that Fantasia was going to kick things up."

"I think there is a groundswell of support from fans who know Fantasia's personal history," adds Sanders.

Like Celie, the character created by Alice Walker in her best-selling book, Fantasia has grappled with sexual abuse, illiteracy and being a single mom. She has a 5-year-old daughter.

The soulful singer from North Carolina had never seen a Broadway show before producers invited her to "The Color Purple."

"I know the movie," she says. "I own the movie. But I never thought I'd be Celie. The show brought me to tears. It's such a blessing."

Fantasia arrived this week from Chicago, where she has been working with an acting and vocal coach and the musical's director, Gary Griffin.

"It's been a crazy schedule," she admits.

The hectic schedule may have caught up with her and her good health. Yesterday she was on vocal rest and bravely fighting a case of strep throat.

Some of that $6 million could go toward Ricolas and hot tea.


http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/culture/2007/03/29/2007-03-29_she_means_big_green_for_purple.html
Updated On: 3/29/07 at 12:02 PM

[Kringas]

Posted: 3/29/07 at 12:14pm

and bravely fighting a case of strep throat.

She does sound brave! I can't believe there's no strep throat telethon!

[blueroses]

Posted: 3/29/07 at 12:23pm

Kringas, that was hilarious!

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 3/29/07 at 12:24pm

Sing it, sistah!

Updated On: 3/29/07 at 12:24 PM

[DRSisLove]

Posted: 3/29/07 at 1:43pm

It's not like Wicked makes 6 million dollars every 4 weeks.
*rolls eyes*

It's really not all that much in the scheme of things... COLOR PURPLE will close the day Fantasia leaves.

[HumATune]

Posted: 3/29/07 at 1:49pm

No it won't. Oprah will bring in Usher as Harpo to keep it open.

[fossemoves]

Posted: 3/29/07 at 1:52pm

I'm not so sure about that closing thought...this role could turn into another 'stunt' casting role for every African American singer out there. Beyonce has expressed interest on Broadway. It could turn into the 'Idol' role, and we just parade former Idol hopefuls into the role too. I think Color Purple will end up shocking people with it's longevity.

[Virgo]

Posted: 3/29/07 at 2:34pm

"It's really not all that much in the scheme of things... "

WOW you must be really rich then as SIX million dollars in advance sells sounds huge to me. Think about it this way, say fantasia is earning 50K per week, she's signed on for six months and has already taken in 6 million dollars. After her salary for the entire six months they would still clear close to 5 million dollars so that is big money any way you look at it.

Also, here are the other stars who brought in mega bucks for a broadway production, pretty small list as there have been tons of "stars" to do broadway.

Other big-name Broadway draws

Fantasia's name has translated into big green at "The Color Purple." Other performers who've meant megabucks on Broadway:


Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane. "The Odd Couple" opened in 2005 with an advance of $21 million, up nearly $5 million from that of the "The Producers" in 2001.

Julia Roberts. When "Three Days of Rain" tickets went on sale last year, $3 million worth of them were sold in three days.

Billy Crystal. His 2006 memoir "700 Sundays" opened with $10 million in the bank.

Denzel Washington. "Julius Caesar" grossed $8.5 million over 14 weeks two years ago.

The helicopter. "Miss Saigon" opened with a $37 million advance in 1991.

[Anastasia_Beaverhausen]

Posted: 3/29/07 at 2:45pm

SHOOT! I was waiting for a discount code for mid-may. Well, it still may happen!!

[Dancin Thru Life]

Posted: 3/29/07 at 3:07pm

Thanks to the rabid success of American Idol, there will always be a "next Celie" for Oprah and Co. to cast!

Just form a line behind J-Hud, Mandisa, Melinda, Lakisha, and Frenchie! HAHA!

GO FANTASIA!

Now if I could just get to the city to see it.....

[lildogs]

Posted: 3/29/07 at 4:20pm

Good for her and nuts to all her naysayers!

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 3/29/07 at 4:23pm

Does she endorse her checks with an X?

[Kringas]

Posted: 3/29/07 at 4:31pm

What's the word on the strep? Is she gonna make it?

[DRSisLove]

Posted: 3/29/07 at 5:00pm

See, she's be all better... but she doesn't know to open her antibiotcs. It says "push down and then turn" and she just keeps turning it.

Poor girl.

[sidjones09]

Posted: 3/29/07 at 5:08pm

"Does she endorse her checks with an X?"

You're just not right Rathnait.

[Virgo]

Posted: 3/29/07 at 5:47pm

"Does she endorse her checks with an X? "

Let's just say at least that X will be signed to weekly checks bigger then what you likely make in an entire year.

[ljay889]

Posted: 3/29/07 at 6:41pm

Thank God they got her a vocal coach.

That's all I'm saying.

[MovieGuy1031]

Posted: 3/29/07 at 7:37pm

Rath - I can't stop laughing.

DRS - *read above*

ljay - You read my mind

[ucjrdude902]

Posted: 3/29/07 at 8:26pm

i think she is gonna be great-im seeing her on her opening night...i mean come one how many other ppl have been doubted and then came out and ppl have been like wow!

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 3/29/07 at 9:47pm

I know, Virgo - the irony!

And I'm a Virgo too - my head is spinning.

[toomeytwopiece]

Posted: 3/30/07 at 12:44am

I would LOVE to see her blow everyone away. She has a great stage presence, and I hope she can tackle the acting with innocence, bravery, and not worry about the judgements. Her lack of experience may be a negative for some, but if she has sharp instincts, it may be a big plus for her.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 3/30/07 at 2:58am

How do you know she has good stage presence? I mean, besides American Idol. I'm not bashing her, just wondering.

[wickedfiyeroofoz]

Posted: 3/30/07 at 9:42am

I don't care if they have to stunt cast for the next 20 years. I love the show and I just want to see it stay open. :)

[jv92]

Posted: 3/30/07 at 3:28pm

Here's to the duck playing less performances than LaChazne!

[Virgo]

Posted: 3/30/07 at 4:14pm

Some of these one liner childish remarks need to stop. If you don't have anything to offer, skip it, no one wants to read your hate filled jealousy. If you want to do one liners go to the zannies board. And I thought broadway represented class? Please with these silly one liners I bet the folks offering them up have never even visited a broadway show in their life.

In the meantime Cha-ching, what was that? Oh yeah, another ticket being sold for the color purple starring Fantasia.
Updated On: 3/30/07 at 04:14 PM