COLOR PURPLE - CYNTHIA ERIVO'S UNDERSTUDY?

[nicnyc]

Posted: 7/29/16 at 1:58am

Hi All,  I'd love to know if anyone has seen Cynthia Erivo''s understudy play Celie?  I have a friend who loves the story and was dying to see the show - she is flying in from Seattle to see it on 8/11 and I was notified by an email from Telecharge that Erivo will not be on for that performance and they are offering a ticket exchange. I was fortunate to see Erivo in April and know how wonderful she is - and I enjoyed the show as a whole very much, but Erivo's performance is obviously very special.  My friend is relying on me to make the call if she should fly in from Seattle to see the show without Erivo or if she should just skip it.  I don't want her to be disappointed and her primary motivation is the story - but I am sure my raving about Erivo heightened her interest.  If anyone who has seen her understudy could give me their opinion, I'd greatly appreciate it - is the show still very enjoyable without Erivo?  Or does it suffer greatly with her absence?  

I'm particularly sensitive because the last time she flew in was to see Hamilton - and Renee and Chris Jackson were both out - GW is her favorite character, she didn't enjoy Austin Smith in the role - and given what is involved with her travel, it wasn't "worth it" to her.  Any input would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you in advance.

[Dysquith13]

Posted: 7/29/16 at 7:40am

When I went to Broadway in May, Evrio was sick for my performance of TCP, and Bre Jackson was our understudy. I'm not sure if she's the only one who goes on, but I thought that she was terrific and does a really good job of nailing the music and emotion. Evrio or not, this is an incredible production that I hope your friend loves.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 7/29/16 at 8:14am

I wouldn't see the show without Erivo. It's an incredibly special, comes along once in a decade, performance. 

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 7/29/16 at 8:19am

She has two.

 

http://www.playbill.com/personlistpage/person-list?production=00000150-aea8-d936-a7fd-eefc72eb0004&type=cp#cc

[TheSassySam]

Posted: 7/29/16 at 8:47am

I went to NYC for the first time in February and The Color Purple was the first Broadway show I've seen. (I grew up watching regional and touring productions we've all grown to love.) 

Bre Jackson played Celie and the performance was powerful and moving. People were giving her a standing ovation during "I'm Here." And another one during the final bows. She was phenomenal. Cynthia Erivo is fantastic, but don't think you will be getting the short-end of the stick with the understudy. They bring a great energy to the show too. I hope to see more from Bre Jackson in the future, she's extremely talented!

I would love to see Bre's performance again! Just give me the ticket. 

[nyskier]

Posted: 7/29/16 at 9:01am

Anyone know when she is out?  I have tickets for August 9 but purchased at the box office.  I would exchange if she want in the show that evening.  

[slumdogdelaware]

Posted: 7/29/16 at 9:01am

I've seen both Cynthia and Bre Jackson, and honestly Bre's performance was just as powerful/magnetic, though Cynthia does bring something extra to the table...the role was just made for her I think. But I love them both!

[slumdogdelaware]

Posted: 7/29/16 at 9:02am

nyskier said: "Anyone know when she is out?  I have tickets for August 9 but purchased at the box office.  I would exchange if she want in the show that evening.  

 

"From Telecharge: *Cynthia Erivo will not perform on Thursday - August 11, Sunday - September 11, Saturday matinee and evening - October 1, and Sunday - November 6.

 

[nyskier]

Posted: 7/29/16 at 9:07am

slumdogdelaware said: "nyskier said: "Anyone know when she is out?  I have tickets for August 9 but purchased at the box office.  I would exchange if she want in the show that evening.  

 

"From Telecharge: *Cynthia Erivo will not perform on Thursday - August 11, Sunday - September 11, Saturday matinee and evening - October 1, and Sunday - November 6.

 

 

"

Thanks!  Relieved I don't need to make a switch!

[nolanativeny]

Posted: 7/29/16 at 11:49am

The first time I saw the show I saw Adrianna Hicks, a swing, as Celie. I'm fairly sure it was her first or one of her first times in the role, as there were a few line flubs. The show was good but when I went back with Cynthia back in it was OMG. So it does definitely make a difference.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 8/6/16 at 7:19pm

Just posting this in this thread to show how amazing their swings are. Last night all 5 swings were on, but one of Ervio's u/s, Adrianna Hicks, had to go on in a split track - doubling as Nettie & Squeak. Phoenix Best was on as Olivia, Angela Birchett as a Church Lady, Ken Robinson as Pa & J. Daughtry as Adam/Buster.

[Hariku]

Posted: 8/6/16 at 7:29pm

I saw Bree Johnsonas well, and while she was great, Erivo is giving one of the greatest performances of the season.

But the addition of Heather Headley to the cast has made the show a must-see even without Erivo. And Brooks, and all the cast, actually, are first rate.

 

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 8/6/16 at 8:05pm

Hariku said: "I saw Bree Johnsonas well, and while she was great, Erivo is giving one of the greatest performances of the season."

^I would edit the above to say "of all time." I would suggest not seeing the show if Erivo is out (not to discredit her understudies, who I'm sure are fabulous).