The Color Purple Announcement Today- Page 2

[Robbie2]

Posted: 3/16/15 at 4:06pm

The Jacobs is a great house for this intimate version of the show with only 1078 seats.
That sneak peak is powerfully moving.
I don't know Cynthia Erivo but after that viewing...WOW and the double bill of her with Jennifer Hudson...they are gonna blow the roof off the Jacobs!

Updated On: 3/16/15 at 04:06 PM

[JoseLee_]

Posted: 3/16/15 at 4:28pm

I didn't know who Cynthia Erivo was until I heard her sing "I Can't Sing" from the XFactor musical which flopped in the West End. That performance (on youtube) gave me goosebumps. I wish her nothing but success. She has a really outstanding voice.

[Robbie2]

Posted: 3/16/15 at 4:32pm

Cynthia Erivo ~ Check this out!
https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Video-Roundup-Meet-Broadways-Next-Celie-Cynthia-Erivo-20150316

Now I am excited to see this show!

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 3/16/15 at 4:43pm

Why wasn't Erivo nominated, at least, for an Olivier?

[theatreguy]

Posted: 3/16/15 at 4:49pm

Because productions at the Menier Chocolate Factory are not eligible for the Oliviers.

[GreasedLightning]

Posted: 3/16/15 at 5:15pm

... AGAIN!?

Weird theatre. Weird casting. Pass.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 3/16/15 at 5:20pm

Roof shattering ?

OK

[followspot]

Posted: 3/16/15 at 5:30pm

Considering the raves this production got in London, I'm really looking forward to this — especially in the relatively intimate Jacobs.

Does anyone know what songs have been cut from the original production?

Updated On: 3/16/15 at 05:30 PM

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 3/16/15 at 8:05pm

I feel sorry for the people paying Broadway prices to watch Jennifer Hudson not-act onstage.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 3/16/15 at 8:33pm

I don't think there has ever been a less necessary revival in the history of Broadway.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 3/16/15 at 8:39pm

Jordan Catalano, you're aware there was less time between the last two GYPSY revivals, right?

[GreasedLightning]

Posted: 3/16/15 at 8:44pm

I'd see Gypsy four times before I saw this once.

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 3/16/15 at 9:06pm

"Jordan Catalano, you're aware there was less time between the last two GYPSY revivals, right?"

Or La Cage aux Folles?

[ljay889]

Posted: 3/16/15 at 9:09pm

The La Cage revival was unnecessary, but that GYPSY revival was probably the last chance for Patti to do it on Broadway and it worked out very well for her, even thought the production did not recoup.

Updated On: 3/16/15 at 09:09 PM

[Someone in a Tree2]

Posted: 3/16/15 at 9:14pm

I really liked a lot of the original production too. The opening half hour or so was thrilling, with genuinely Broadway-worthy songs and lyrics. The ballet that opened Act II was equally electric, a theatrical telling of Nettie's letters from Africa. Those 15 minutes were everything a great musical sequence should be.

Lots of the in-between was less developed and less theater-worthy, simplistic lyrics or unmemorable music, or long patches of uninvolving exposition. So cutting a half hour sounds like a great idea if they cut the right half hour!

Jennifer Hudson as Shug? Could be interesting although a huge belt sound doesn't seem to be the main point of Shug's singing range. I'd happily see the show to see how good the fit is though.

Updated On: 3/16/15 at 09:14 PM

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 3/16/15 at 9:45pm

Phyllis, I'm hoping somehow Jennifer Hudson won't be as terrible of an actress on stage? Maybe? She is a terrible film actress, but I respect her taking on a smaller role as her Broadway debut. I thought she was alright in her small role in SEX & THE CITY, though I do think somehow she gets worse every time I see her (she was dreadful in EMPIRE last week).

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 3/16/15 at 10:10pm

ray, your hope is sexxy/hott, but it ain't gonna happen. My go-to to point out the fact that she and her Oscar still can't act used to be her Weight Watchers commercials, where she wasn't even convincing as herself, but now it's that "Ooh, child" commercial, the version where they stop her mid-note and she says, "That. Felt. Really. Good."

Updated On: 3/16/15 at 10:10 PM

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 3/16/15 at 10:14pm

So how did she win the Oscar for Dreamgirls (besides singing And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going)?

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 3/16/15 at 10:20pm

Zeitgeist, mostly. From the second that scene was shot the machine was telling the world it was going to win her an Oscar. She's not terrible in it, and I'm sure that's all to do with Bill Condon. I think he sometimes lacks a coherent vision as a director, but he gets good performances out of people. And if someone told me she was given a line reading before most takes I wouldn be surprised.

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 3/16/15 at 11:01pm

This was stunning in London, the company blew the roof of the theatre and was meet with a good ten minute standing ovation.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 3/16/15 at 11:09pm

Haha, PRS! When you're right, you're right

So how did she win the Oscar for Dreamgirls (besides singing And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going)?

Ummm, she won an Oscar precisely for singing "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going." I thought she was so out of the world amazing when I first saw her, and every time I watch the movie, her line readings become more and more wooden. You can also tell how much editing creates that performance, try looking for a dialogue scene that features Hudson for more than a few seconds in each shot. Also, remember Condon was very open about how he had to do some sort of "boot camp" for Hudson to get her acting up to snuff.

[sklabam]

Posted: 3/16/15 at 11:30pm

Having seen the glorious and roundly praised London revival, I can't help but think some of this nonsense is simply racism. So be it.

[ljay889]

Posted: 3/16/15 at 11:31pm

Wait, what? Racism??

[adamgreer]

Posted: 3/16/15 at 11:49pm

What "nonsense"? People seem to be almost universally excited about this production and Cynthia Ervivo. The only reservations I see (except for Jordan, who has never liked this musical) are about Hudson's acting.

[Diva_Dom]

Posted: 3/17/15 at 12:04am

For anyone who has not heard Cynthia in this version please listen ASAP

http://youtu.be/CbvaQaB5JfM

She is absolutely incredible and I cannot wait to be there November 9th giving her a standing ovation after performing "I'm here." Words cannot contain my excitement!