k.d. Lang in After Midnight

[Patash]

Posted: 12/19/13 at 3:05pm

k.d.Lang? I'm usually all for color blind casting, although this one seems a bit bizarre. I love her, don't get me wrong. But is she the one replacing Fantasia as a black Cotton Club chanteuse? Really? Will she be doing the same songs Fantasia does now?

[theatreguy]

Posted: 12/19/13 at 3:30pm

It's not color-blind casting. There were many white "guest stars" at the Cotton Club so she's following in that tradition. She won't be playing any character other than her stage persona, just as Fantasia is now. She will be doing songs that she and the creative team think match her abilities and are a good fit for those moments in the show.

[Patash]

Posted: 12/19/13 at 4:11pm

Ah, then the show will change, using different numbers from those that Fantasia sings now? That was my main question. And will she wear different costumes? In other words, unlke most Broadway shows, there will be a major change when a different person takes over a role (well, I guess you can't really call it a role, since she doesn't play an actual character).

[HorseTears]

Posted: 12/19/13 at 4:14pm

Re: the costumes. Uhhh... yeah... I think it's a guarantee that Ms. Lang will not be wearing the same costume designs as Fantasia. As for the song selections, I think I read somewhere -- having trouble finding the article or video in which this was referenced, so please correct me if I'm wrong -- that KD Lang and then Toni Braxton and BabyFace would be singing the same songs as Fantasia. I'm bummed that I won't be back in NY until the Spring. Here's hoping that Fantasia comes back. I have to agree that KD Lang feels like an odd fit -- not because of her race -- but because of how "adult contemporary" her sound is. But, hey, she's got chops and while I doubt she can be as red hot as Fantasia, I'm sure she'll do fine.

[StageStruckLad]

Posted: 12/19/13 at 4:21pm

After hearing her epic version of Roy Orbison's "Crying" at Radio City, I would LOVE to hear k.d. lang's take on "Stormy Weather."

[jnb9872]

Posted: 12/19/13 at 10:44pm

Fantasia is not playing a "role" per se, she's a special guest star, like the Cotton Club used to have. Different Guests will be coming in and out, with songs and accoutrements befitting them and their styles.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 12/20/13 at 7:59am

I. Can't. Wait.

[Patash]

Posted: 12/20/13 at 10:45am

So k.d.Lang will be singing Stormy Weather? Unlike Fantasia, who sings Schtormy Weather?

But seriously, I see we still have two different ideas going here -- one that the songs will change and one that they will not. I'm just curious which it will be.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 12/20/13 at 11:00am

I'm curious as to what kind of a draw she will be.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 12/20/13 at 1:03pm

She will pack the place with lesbians. For real-her fans are fiercely devoted. I am sure kd will be outfitted with a suit similar to the males in the show.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 12/20/13 at 11:19pm

I'm expecting the show to run a while, but I just wonder who'll they have come in after Toni Braxton(March 18-30). Maybe Fantasia returns??

Speaking of Fantasia, has she missed any performances yet??

[choitoy]

Posted: 12/21/13 at 3:54am

I'm hoping Amber Riley back for an engagement. Perferably around the middle of June when I'll be in New York

[macnyc]

Posted: 12/21/13 at 10:41am

^^^^ You're right. Amber Riley was really good in Cotton Club Parade, and I really enjoyed her performance. I liked the show so much, I'm going to see After Midnight in January with friends because everyone says that Fantasia is so good. But I would be perfectly willing to see the show again with k.d. I will be interested to see what she does with the role.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 1/4/14 at 4:54pm

FYI, Fantasia missed her first performance today(matinee). Danielle Herbert was on in her place.

"Congratulations to Danielle Herbert, who went on in Fantasia Barrino's track for the first time in @AfterMidnightNY!"

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 1/4/14 at 7:59pm

Anyone know if Fantasia was back in tonight?

[adith1801]

Posted: 1/5/14 at 1:26am

I saw After Midnight last week of December..
Fantasia was amazing..

i have yet to discover who KD Lang is going to replace, if it is Fantasia, she will have big shoes to fill..

i mean that role is meant for her.. That's Fantasia kind of role.

[fbueller]

Posted: 1/5/14 at 11:00am

Has Fantasia missed many shows during her run?

[willep]

Posted: 1/5/14 at 12:42pm

If you read that post, that was her first missed performance.

[BroadwayNYC2]

Posted: 1/5/14 at 12:56pm

I was not a fan of Fantasia in this show. She was definitely on the bottom of the totem pole for me. I am very excited to see her replacements.

[adam.peterson44]

Posted: 1/5/14 at 5:11pm

I saw the show with Fantasia in it in December, and i found her pronunciation of all of the 's'-es as "sh" to be very distracting. I certainly don't intend to blame anyone for having a speech impediment, but it just kept pulling me out of the moment during her songs whenever the lyrics called for an 's' that came out an 'sh'. I would probably wait for a new singer before going back to see it again to avoid the distraction.

[broadwaydevil]

Posted: 1/5/14 at 5:44pm

I was at the matinee yesterday when Fantasia was out. Danielle Herbert replaced her. The theatre had us enter through the side (so as to avoid the lobby with the board) and announced that Fantasia was being replaced about a minute or two before the lights went down and there was obviously no playbill insert. That kind of trickery rubs me the wrong way and it's rude not only to theatregoers but also to the replacement who is clearly being hidden to every extent equity rules will allow.

Anyways, when it was announced Danielle was on, there were audible sighs groans in the audience and a woman behind me even booed incredibly loudly. It was absolutely horrific and I just wanted Danielle to be incredible. Well, she was, in a word, incredible. She brought the house down with Stormy Weather and had a very commanding presence. There was no indication this was her first time in the role. Danielle should really be a Broadway regular.

The mezzanine (and it seemed the orchestra) were both half empty. Not good news for a Saturday matinee. I wonder if K.D. Lang will lead to better sales.

Updated On: 1/5/14 at 05:44 PM

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 1/5/14 at 6:14pm

Fantasia was out again this afternoon but the house was quite full with a very enthusiastic crowd.

Danielle Herbert covered most of her track with the exception of "Stormy Weather," which was sung (astonishingly well and to a show stopping reception) by Bryonha Parham.

Updated On: 1/5/14 at 06:14 PM

[broadwaydevil]

Posted: 1/5/14 at 6:33pm

I wonder why they changed that when Danielle performed Stormy Weather the day before very well, but good to hear it worked out!

[perfectlymarvelous]

Posted: 1/5/14 at 7:48pm

Broadwaydevil, that theater always has patrons enter through the side hallway. It wasn't any kind of trickery.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 1/5/14 at 8:19pm

Parham's the other cover for Fantasia(& Adrianne Lenox). In terms of the small crowd on Saturday, it could be due to the large amount of ice & snow left over from the blizzard on Thursday/Friday. It wasn't easy getting around NJ on Saturday, so I would think some people might have opted to stay home.