"The Color Purple" 5/19 matinee

[jordangirl]

Posted: 5/20/07 at 2:19pm

Thanks to a free ticket, I had the chance to finally see The Color Purple for the first time. (So no comparisons between Fantasia and LaChanze or anyone else.) I liked it a lot more than I thought I would ~ I don't know why I'd been hesitant to see it...maybe those rabid crowds that are impossible to get through after the shows. LOL. But I did find it completely engaging. It's not my favorite show, but it's definitely up there, and I'd consider going back to see it.

Fantasia was wonderful. At first I was a little concerned about her voice because it sounded a little scratchy, but a friend reminded me that even on AI she had a bit of a scratchy quality to her voice. I was impressed by her ability to really embody Celie. There were three understudies in ~ for Shug, Doris, and Female Church Soloist ~ but they were all really good.

My only complaint was the LARGE number of tour groups who were late to the show. They were literally still seating people 40 minutes into it. I guess I've been on too many well-organized tours, but we've ALWAYS been at the theatre an hour early just to get us all arranged in ticket order and bathroomed and everything. As a result, I don't think a lot of people in the rear mezz realized that the show had started as there was still general conversation going on. This was added to by the fact that the ushers were insisting on seating everyone in the groups in the seat on their ticket, regardless of the fact that the group had the whole row. So I think it's a combination of the late groups AND the ushers. Possibly inexperienced group leaders who don't get that they're not going to hold the show's starting for your 52 people (or haowever many you have). But seriously, if a group has the entire row, just let them go in. Especially if the show's already started.

So that did make it a little hard to get into at first, but once they were settled, I was enchanted.

I think at some point when I'm more rested and feel like it, I'll go in and try rush ~ so I'm not dealing with tons of people coming in in front of me.

(Oh yeah. The usher who actually sat me was wonderful, but the first one I was sent to ~ older, red hair ~ "the woman in at the center aisle" ~ appeared very miffed she was having to direct people who weren't in "her" section, which apparently was the LOWER rear mezz. She'd look at the tickets, roll her eyes, sigh, and very gruffly say "Up, up, up" as if we were annoying her simply by stopping where we'd been told. GRRR!)

Oh! I also forgot the one thing that amused/saddened me. The number of people who made various noises of disgust when Celie and Shug kissed or talked about their love for each other. I wanted to ask if they'd READ the book. But I fear the answer would be no. They went because Oprah produces it and Oprah is God. (my sarcasm there...I don't think she is)

Updated On: 5/20/07 at 02:19 PM

[Virgo]

Posted: 5/20/07 at 3:21pm

"My only complaint was the LARGE number of tour groups who were late to the show. "

Eh, since you didn't pay for your ticket and it was "free" I can't feel to sorry for you. Go back on a day during the week and see it, when the tours are not there and report back. I bet the Saturday afternoon is the worse time to go.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 5/20/07 at 3:33pm

I wasn't asking anyone to feel sorry for me. I was just commenting. There WERE people around me who did pay for their tickets who were quite upset. It's something I'd think the theatre should be concerned about. (But probvably isn't because of the tour group business.)

[Testing1232]

Posted: 5/20/07 at 8:15pm

Virgo,

I was there Friday night, and there were a TON of tour groups.... as a matter of fact, every time that I have seen
"TCP" there have been a large number of tour groups.

Doesnt matter which day of the week you go. And whether or not you pay for a ticket or not is of no consequence. If it disrupts the show, it disrupts the show.