The brilliance of La Chanze.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 1/15/06 at 1:46am

After recently being very disappointed and underwhelmed by THE COLOR PURPLE, I've been doing nothing but raving about the brillaince of La Chanze.

Her Celie is the real gem of this musical. Not even noticing it until halfway through the second act - I'd realized how much she'd aged. How unrecognizable she was. Her voice, her body, her everything. Her performance is heartfelt. Unstoppable. And Tony-worthy.

This has to be one of the most talented women out there. Let's hear the love for her.

[JoizeyActor]

Posted: 1/15/06 at 2:01am

I felt the same way. It sort of sneaks up on you, but once she has transformed and aged towards the end of the show - you suddenly realize that she has made a brilliant transformation and her Celie is an almost completely different person.

She is incredible. The Color Purple was my first time seeing her live and I was definitely satisfied. I loved La Chanze but I was pissed that she made me torn between who I want to win the Tony - her or Patti. I can't decide anymore.

[GClef2]

Posted: 1/15/06 at 2:07am

She is just perfection. She was perfection in Baby and is even more so in The Color Purple. She throws herself into that role and is just stunning.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 1/15/06 at 3:14am

She is lovely. I wish her much Tony luck this season. This girl deserves her due. (Also Elisabeth Withers-Mendes for Featured Actress!) YAY Color Purple!

[theatreguy]

Posted: 1/15/06 at 3:14am

Totally agree, I thought she gave a stunning performance. And she was so sweet at the stage door afterwards, took several minutes to talk to me and seemed genuinely interested in what I had to say about the show.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 1/15/06 at 4:20am

i heard all that buzz about LaChanze...and honestly...she is a good singer...but not anything outstanding.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 1/15/06 at 4:21am

muscle, have you seen the show?

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 1/15/06 at 10:38am

I love L A Chanze
I hear shie is misssing an awful lot of shows
Will this hurt her at TONY Time?
(Member the Murph)

[best12bars]

Posted: 1/15/06 at 10:52am

I had the privilege of seeing her four times as Sarah in the "American Premiere" (aka Los Angeles) production of "Ragtime." The role was actually written for her by Ahrens/Flaherty, but due to (any number of rumored) circumstances, she ended up leaving the show before it had a major production.

She was very good the first time I saw her... but each time I had the opportunity to revisit the show, she got better and better. Many performers strive to improve and "explore" during the run of a show, but few really show change (at least from an audience perspective). She found deeper emotions, and more focused energy. Her vocal interpretations improved as well. By the third and fourth time, she was the best "Sarah" I'd seen. (And yes, I saw Audra perform the role as well.)

Brava! ...for a wonderful, talented lady. If you ever get the chance to see her in anything (Purple, or otherwise). Don't hesitate. She's worth the ticket price all by herself.

EDIT: And muscle--It isn't just her singing... It's her stage presence (above all) and her acting as well. She's a rare talent.

Updated On: 1/15/06 at 10:52 AM

[broadwaybelter]

Posted: 1/15/06 at 11:02am

oh yes lachanze is amazing--i love her vocals from once on this island, thats when i first started following her career

[Kevo711]

Posted: 1/15/06 at 1:06pm

Wow I love La Chanze. It is too bad that she's been missing so many shows, so I hope she makes a full recovery from what ever is wrong with her! I really hope she takes home the Tony this year! She deserves it!

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 1/15/06 at 2:39pm

Yeah, she plays it dumb in the beginning....but by the end she really has grown - but you don't realize it until you think about the beginning of the show.

Isn't that how life is? Her change is so gradual you don't notice even notice it.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 1/15/06 at 10:35pm

CurtainPullDowner, do you have a source on someone saying she is missing "an awful lot of shows"? I don't think that's the case.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 1/15/06 at 10:59pm

Actually, she is missing a lot of matinees...if not all.

She is very sick though. They should really make matinee's an alternate.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 1/15/06 at 11:17pm

yes
Unfortunately I have a reliable source
She has been out been out a lot
But on the plus I saw her in the Show and it is so far the Female Musical Performance of the year.

[iliketheater]

Posted: 1/15/06 at 11:46pm

I'm joining in on the LaChanze love. I saw her in TCP and I was absolutely blown away. I also wish her luck for the Tony this year, it's well deserved.

[JJPeachum2]

Posted: 1/16/06 at 5:24pm

EXACTLY! The way she showed Cellie aging throughout the evening was nothing short of perfection... I've been raving about it to everyone I can here in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I loved "The Color Purple," and I can't really see anything else beating it out for the Tony this season.