Jaystarr's 10/10 Report on The Color Purple with Fantasia.
Jaystarr's 10/10 Report on The Color Purple with Fantasia.
#1Jaystarr's 10/10 Report on The Color Purple with Fantasia.
Posted: 7/4/07 at 2:38pm
E2 
"The Color Purple"
starring Fantasia
The Broadway Theater
July 1, 2007
2 1/2 hours with intermission
Tixs price $ 55 thru special 4th of July Discount (orchestra seats )
Score : 10/2
Prologue : My Broadway Theater Experience : This year- 2007. I came thru a full circle of Broadway Experience. My first broadway show was Miss Saigon at the Broadway Theater in the early 90's.
I was seated on the last row in the rear balcony but when the curtains rise...my whole life changed.. I was not the same person when I walked out at the Broadway Theater. Somehow there was a new part of me that was added to my old self, that's up to now- I still cherished and valued so much- which is the love for the Theater. It was a tradition for Filipino-Americans living in the United States to see my country's pride, Lea Salonga as Kim. After she won the Tonys that year- the door was wide open to a lot of Filipino-American actors to thrive on the Broadway Stage - Rona Figueroa, DeeDee Magno (Wicked-touring company), Jose Llana (25th Putnam County Spelling Bee), Paolo Montalban ( The King & I Revival) and so many...(and my other experience this year was to met Lea Salonga on Les Miserables Revival at the Broadhurst Theater) Its funny that I never went back to the Broadway Theater until now almost 16 yrs , but this time to watch lives & struggles of African-American women in the early 20th century in "The Color Purple"
10 Things I like *********
1. Fantasia - I could never remember an experience that I had on Broadway that Ive cried. (not even to Grey Gardens) But when Fantasia sang.."I'm Here" tears came down on my eyes unknowingly...she does not even have to paint her face green or wear pink .. I understood her -Now I know why people cry on Operas!.. and I must admit that she did that to me twice .. in the finale number of "The Color Purple" too..This American Idol Winner can really sing her heart out, emotions burstin' all over th stage like a 4th of July fireworks and did I mention.. she can act ! I came to realize that Fantasia was probably born to do the role of Miss Celie on Broadway, if there's such a thing !
2. The Music of Stephen Bray & others-Probably my other reason to see the show was Stephen Bray (one of the composers) I dont know if a lot of people know that Stephen Bray composed songs for Madonna (which I am an avid fan-like "Express Yourself" ,"Into The Groove"."Where's The Party" & so many ,mostly in the 80's) The Jets ("Cross My Broken Heart") and lesser singers that I loved bec. of the songs he composed for them (Nick Kamen's "Each Time You Break My Heart" & Nick Scotti's
"Get Over") According to credits he co-wrote these songs with Madonna. So this is really a win/win situation for me..and not only he wrote Broadway song but in a style that I learned to love for the past 7 years which is BLUES.
3. Angela Robinson as Shug Avery (u/s for Elisabeth Withers Mendes) I must say
that watching an u/s is not a bad idea at all. Most of the time the u/s gave 110 %
of their performance, and wont know the difference unless youre checking your playbill. I love her voice, its very " Toni Braxton" in a brassy way.
4. NaTasha Yvette Williams as Sofia. She's bombastic yet sweet in a way. Its like putting Big Maybelle,Maxine Brown & Ida Cox with the tint of Sarah Vaugh's sweetness in one person. Her rendition of "Hell No" is really a crowd pleaser (which I will discuss later )
5. The Crowd- I enjoyed the crowd a lot in this performance. The crowd was mostly African-American , probably 80% on that Sunday Matinee that came in buses from Maryland, Georgia, Virginia and some of them even as far as Washington State.
I always make it a point to make a small conversations when im in line. Ive learned that most of them are from chuches organization's tour & family reunion. All of them came to see Fantasia as per one lady word.. " I followed her ever since she was at the American Idol ! " I guess the most pleasant experience for me was the audience reaction..specially in "Hell No" number.. I heard people saying ...hmmm.. say it , girl ! and probably the peak of this was Fantasia's "I'm Here " first reprise number during the Easter dinner. you can really feel the audience's enery & emotions building up to her "I'm Here" full number .. that brought tears to my eyes. There were times that the audience's part for the whole theater experience was annoying like coughing, unwrapping a candy, clearing one's throat -that's me 
& talking on the phone..but not this one -not on this show -- the audience were almost with Fantasia the whole time. They were so involved with her sufferings, frustations & finally her thriump ! I never seen a theater like this before - that was so interactive!- more than the 25th Putnam County Spelling Bee.
6. "Push The Button " number- I swear that the cast could have gone with the song for two hours and I would enjoyed it.. Its a jam ! of course- that's not a possibilty or the musical would have lasted for 6-7 hours. I really wish that the cast should have continue with the song in a free form or improvisation. It's almost as perfect like the Buddy Guy's Live version of Fever.
7. The Lesbian relationship between Miss Celie & Shug Avery- I was actually pleased that this theme was more "prominent" in the musical (than in the 80's movie version) The Production team really makes you realize that there is something going on between these two women, not just like a sister love relationship- but its deeper than that and more complex than the usual stereotypes which is probably a faithful adaption of the Alice Walker's novel. Let's go back to the audience reaction again--
I think I had mentioned that some folks were from Churches' tour on Broadway..
So when Miss Celie & Shug kissed (in the mouth - not only once but several times)
I was at the edge of my seat when they kissed and I heard a "little" audience reaction-- I really dont know how to call it..not in a disgusted way nor shock- i'm out of words for that..but its was a fun experience to hear people dealt with this subject matter.
8. Donald Byrd's Choreography- I was afraid the the opening number for Act 2 (African Homeland) is like a water down version of "Lion King" ,but it really stands on its own.Very creative yet original . Shug Avery Comin' To Town number with guys dancing( in a jammin' way) was suprisingly good. Donald Byrd did an excellent job on this- considering that the African-American music & dances in the early 20th were so rich & diverse and its hard to put it on small representation of several dances in a two and half hour show.
9. The seats were very comfortable and wide. (Well not all Broadway Theaters have this luxury - I think the Marquis Theater is also good )
10. The Rest of the Cast--specially the three gossipy chuch ladies-they were hilarious. It was a good choice specially the material was dark. I think - One of my thoughts before I saw the show is how are they going to make this entertaining and lighter. But surely it worked and a crowd pleaser ! One more thing--Doug Eskew as the Preacher- I mean literally he was jammin' onstage when he was singing "In Mysterious Ways " at the end (though Im not a gospel fan ) but I really love him in this number, it makes me appreciate gospel music- that I know of ? I think I saw him once performed at the Tonys Awards (Five Guys Named Moe)- when I saw their number I was so impressed then, that I wished Ive seen the show-- I did not even realized that he was the Preacher. It was the same energy on that Tonys number that I saw when he sang . It was a treat for me again !
2 Things I did not like ********
1. Book- The Color Purple may sound like its was a perfect musical for me, but I found some stuff that I did not like... I felt like the characters really did not developed well onstage specially given the time duration which is like 40 yrs (?) for 2 1/2 hours-which is not the cast fault at all -Personally I felt like Miss Celie's character was not really fully realized onstage, somewhat I really did not felt that she was abused so much ( not that I want her to be abused ! ) nor with Mister's character in the musical - somehow he was not abusive enough ! I dont know if that makes sense- but let me put it in prespective- (I hate to do this !) Danny Glover was really evil in the movie..that you hated him so much ! Whoopi Goldberg was so miserable that you want to jump on the screen and take her out of the movie and lastly Oprah--when she got beaten up by the mob- you just felt like why does african-american women treated so badly, worst if they were strong-willed women. ? why ? I never really felt this in the musical aside from teary and emotional rousing numbers. I think if you have not had a chance to see the Steven Spielberg's movie nor read the Alice Walker's novel. You might have a problem understanding the character development in the musical. But I assumed like me, almost everyone in the audience were familiar with the movie or the novel. But if youve seen the movie or read the book - you should be all set ! (I dont know if this is the Director's fault ? )
2. Scenic Design- I really dont know who designed the stage ( I cant find my Playbill) but somehow the whole curtain & the additonal staging at the proscenium kinda reminds me of "Wicked" and "Pirate Queen" . I wished they done more specially they have that huge Broadway Theater's stage. Not that I want some helicopter going down on the stage- what I mean is more creativity in the staging. I dont like the turntable stage. I felt like the staging was average and I was expecting more from a
rich material like the Color Purple and Oprah's budget.
3. (lastly which is not included in my list- but worth mentioning) I wish Fantasia
came out at the stage door and say hi to her fans (not specifically me) I always make a special trip to the stagedoor to meet the cast. The Stage door was packed with people after the show, considering that the buses where parked at the Hello Deli at 53th Street. There were a lot of ladies from Maryland and other states waiting for her there before they go to their dinner ( as a package deal) Though She did not go out at all bec. she was resting for her 8 pm show according to the door man. The crowd was a bit disappointed. I heard one lady mentioned to the door man.. Can you pls just let Fantasia know that were here for her ? and added she can just snoop out the door and waive ? but I guess she decided to stay in. I actually told one lady that we were lucky that she performed at the 2 pm bec. I heard that she missed 2 performances before and she gave me this looked on her face ... like she couldn't believe it could ever happen ? (bec. they all came from far places just to see her)
I would say that I enjoyed and liked the show and Fantasia was brilliant
and worth revisiting ! Actually the show ended on the 4th of July barbeque party- which I will end this too ( bec. its the 4th of July today !) Happy 4th to all and Thanks for reading my experience at "The Color Purple" -J*
The Broadway Theater : 
Next : Jaystarr's 10/10 Report on "Grease"
Jaystarr's 10/10 Report on "eurydice"- hopefully?
Updated On: 5/14/08 at 02:38 PM
#2re: Jaystarr's 10/10 Report on 'the Color Purple ' with Fantasia
Posted: 7/4/07 at 6:09pm
Additional notes : I must add that Fantasia's I'm Here performance from the Tonys Award & Live with Regis & Kellly was not even comparable to her tear provoking stage rendition in The Color Purple at The Broadway Theater (in terms of emotional momentum)
J*
Updated On: 7/5/07 at 06:09 PM
#2re: Jaystarr's 10/10 Report on 'the Color Purple ' with Fantasia
Posted: 7/4/07 at 6:09pm
Finale : Back to The Broadway Theater
On my way out to the Broadway Theater- I saw a teenage boy with his grandmother
(they belong to the group of people from the Maryland bus) I heard him say to his grandmother..."Grandma , this show was great ! and Fantasia was fantastic..! I would like to see more of these,can you take me again ? "
I looked at his eyes and I saw a sparkle in it...
It was a full circle now ! Another young boy (this time an african-american teenager boy) who I assumed "accidentally" saw a show by accompanying his grandmother and was tranformed to a new person... like me 16 yrs ago..thru the magic of the theater that knows NO COLOR ....
J*
Updated On: 7/4/07 at 06:09 PM
#3re: Jaystarr's 10/10 Report on 'the Color Purple ' with Fantasia
Posted: 7/4/07 at 6:37pmThanks for the review (even though I took short naps in between paragraphs). I've not seen TCP and it's on my must-see list, if ever I get the chance to return to NYC. I read the book in school and I love the film, thus I'm interested to see how they adapted it to stage (not to mention a musical). You have definitely whet my appetite... or something like that.
Salve, Regina, Mater misericordiae
Vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra
Salve, Salve Regina
Ad te clamamus exsules filii Eva
Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes
O clemens O pia
Updated On: 7/4/07 at 06:37 PM
Vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra
Salve, Salve Regina
Ad te clamamus exsules filii Eva
Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes
O clemens O pia
Amneris
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/16/03
#4re: Jaystarr's 10/10 Report on 'the Color Purple ' with Fantasia
Posted: 7/4/07 at 6:42pmMy grandma called me the other day and nearly made me pee.. she goes "did you hear that, that oprah put Anatascia Burrito in The Color Purple?" oy..
#5re: Jaystarr's 10/10 Report on 'the Color Purple ' with Fantasia
Posted: 7/4/07 at 7:19pm
Great review, jaystar, im really glad you liked the show
I really enjoyed it when I saw it as well
And I'm especially glad you got to see Angela Robinson as Shug- I saw her as well when I saw the show, and she really is fabulous. As you said, you wouldn't know she was the understudy if you didn't look in the playbill. But her voice is so powerful, she plays the part well, and my is she gorgeous.
Anyways, you also make me really envious about seeing Fantasia. I really need to see her in the show- hmm, I wish there was a way I could see it tomorrow night because everyone is always talking about how awesome Fantasia is!
Finally, I thought the full-circle moments with seeing Miss Saigon there, as well as seeing the teenager are really awesome :)
EDIT: Ah, I wouldve so seen it tomorrow had there been any more $26 dollar seats online 
And I wouldnt be there in time for rush, and yeah...wont have any other time to see the show this weekend. Oh well, I'm fine with GREY GARDENS, haha
My 2007/2008 Season:
Grey Gardens (7/5)
110 in the Shade (7/6)
Mary Poppins (7/7)
Xanadu (7/7)
Deuce (7/8)
Spamalot (7/8)
Jersey Boys (8/25)
The Year of Magical Thinking (8/25)
Mauritius (11/2)
Young Frankenstein (11/3)
Rock 'N' Roll (11/3)
Pygmalion (11/4)
Mauritius (11/10)
Mauritius (11/21) Mauritius (11/21)
Sunday in the Park with George (3/6)
South Pacific (3/7)
Gypsy (3/8)
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (3/9)
Updated On: 7/4/07 at 07:19 PM
#6re: Jaystarr's 10/10 Report on 'the Color Purple ' with Fantasia
Posted: 7/4/07 at 7:47pm
Thanks...
J*
#7re: Jaystarr's 10/10 Report on 'the Color Purple ' with Fantasia
Posted: 7/4/07 at 7:57pm
Hello J asterisk :P
Nice reviews and pics!
#8re: Jaystarr's 10/10 Report on 'the Color Purple ' with Fantasia
Posted: 7/4/07 at 8:39pm
Thanks for your thorough review jay!
Your story about the teenage boy loving the show reminds me of my ex boyfriend's reaction. It was his first Broadway show..well first real theatre experience actually and he loved it! It sparked the theatre bug in him!
#9re: Jaystarr's 10/10 Report on 'the Color Purple ' with Fantasia
Posted: 7/4/07 at 8:41pm
Great review. With the exception of the final number, I'll admit I didn't like this show (especially those 3 church ladies) at all when I saw it early on during its run. Hearing so many wonderful things about Fantasia's performance might just get me back there.
Jay* the emotions you described happened to me the first time I saw Piazza. Without any forewarning I was in tears at the very end of Fable.
Hey Dottie!
Did your colleagues enjoy the cake even though your cat decided to sit on it? ~GuyfromGermany
Updated On: 7/4/07 at 08:41 PM
#10re: Jaystarr's 10/10 Report on 'the Color Purple ' with Fantasia
Posted: 7/4/07 at 9:31pm
DottieD'Luscia- I agree with you there with the ending- Its seems like the musical was on drug like a "speed" . After the "Here I Am " number in which Miss Celie realized that she does not need a validation or love of Shug nor any other man to live. Its was hard for any finale number "The Color Purple " to fill in the gap in the emotional roller coaster of 2 and 1/2 musical that was compressed to tell a story
of 40 yrs of an African-American woman's emotional & sexual awakenings.
That's why I think there was some sort of problem with the book or the direction.
The ending (the Reunion of Celie & her missionary sister Nettie ) which should be the focal point of an emotional pinnacle of grand finale was not fully achieved. Unlike in the movie, which focused on Whoopi Goldberg seated on her porch while her sister came on a car. She hardly recognized her, but realized later that --was her long lost sister--The emotonal focal point was when they were both running thru the fields.. a long shot ----very emotional & memorable...That's what the musical failed to deliver.
But neverthless- I was moved by Fantasia finale number (The Color Purple Reprise)
There is something about that 22 yr old American Idol winner- she just moved you
like nobody else can-- emotionally.
J*
Updated On: 7/5/07 at 09:31 PM
jordangirl
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/1/06
#11re: Jaystarr's 10/10 Report on 'the Color Purple ' with Fantasia
Posted: 7/4/07 at 9:34pm
"So when Miss Celie & Shug kissed (in the mouth - not only once but several times)
I was at the edge of my seat when they kissed and I heard a "little" audience reaction-- I really dont know how to call it..not in a disgusted way nor shock- i'm out of words for that..but its was a fun experience to hear people dealt with this subject matter."
When I saw it I definitely heard disgust. "Ugh!" "What's that sh*$?" (Yes, I actually heard that.) "Gross!" and other things. I wanted to say "Shut up! Do you even KNOW the source material???" But I was polite and kept my mouth shut. (I also didn't want to be lynched on my way out for supporting it. (If only they knew...)
Experience live theater. Experience paintings. Experience books. Live, look and listen like artists! ~ imaginethis
LIVE THAT LESSON!!!!!!
LIVE THAT LESSON!!!!!!
#12re: Jaystarr's 10/10 Report on 'the Color Purple ' with Fantasia
Posted: 7/4/07 at 9:36pm
10 Things I did not like ( only 2 things)
So then it's not 10/10, it's 10/2.
All of these positive notices on Fantasia intrigue me, I must say.
#13re: Jaystarr's 10/10 Report on 'the Color Purple ' with Fantasia
Posted: 7/4/07 at 10:07pm
luvtheEmcee- Thanks by the way 
J*
Updated On: 8/20/07 at 10:07 PM
#14re: Jaystarr's 10/10 Report on 'the Color Purple ' with Fantasia
Posted: 7/4/07 at 10:16pmJay*, I'm amazed at how much time you spend in NYC!! I haven't seen a Broadway show since early February.
Hey Dottie!
Did your colleagues enjoy the cake even though your cat decided to sit on it? ~GuyfromGermany
#15re: Jaystarr's 10/10 Report on 'the Color Purple ' with Fantasia
Posted: 7/4/07 at 10:25pm
I wonder that myself too. Hopefully I wont be back to NYC till early September for Grease -since I cannot get any tickets for late July & August at all
I really really wanna go back for Grey Gardens before it closes if my schedule would permit me and I want to squeeze another play - "eurydice" - Ive heard so many good things about it and I heard the staging is mind-blowing.
J*
Updated On: 7/5/07 at 10:25 PM
#16re: Jaystarr's 10/10 Report on 'the Color Purple ' with Fantasia
Posted: 7/4/07 at 10:26pmugh this is small but its bugging me but in your second post it's "I'm Here" not "Here I am".
#17re: Jaystarr's 10/10 Report on 'the Color Purple ' with Fantasia
Posted: 7/4/07 at 10:27pmYes, do try to catch eurydice.
#18re: Jaystarr's 10/10 Report on 'the Color Purple ' with Fantasia
Posted: 7/5/07 at 7:33am
Mikem- You know what I think I made mistake .. I paid $ 55.00 for an orchestra seats (not including fees) which probbably be around $ 58.-59.00 total. I cannot find my playbill where my tixs were. Sorry the misinformation. Ive corrected my original post now .. In case your insterested here's the website and its valid till July 8- hope this helps
http://www.broadwayonthefourth.com/
obssedjb- Thanks for the correction. I re-edited my second post.
J*
Updated On: 7/5/07 at 07:33 AM
