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Vanessa Williams to join AFTER MIDNIGHT starting April 1

Vanessa Williams to join AFTER MIDNIGHT starting April 1

ACL2006 Profile Photo
ACL2006
#1Vanessa Williams to join AFTER MIDNIGHT starting April 1
Posted: 2/19/14 at 5:47pm

Great choice!! She'll be in the show for 6 weeks(April 1 - May 11). Not noted in the press release is that Fantasia is expected to rejoin the show May 13.


Vanessa Williams to join AFTER MIDNIGHT as new


A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.

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Jingjo2
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Eris0303
#2Vanessa Williams to join AFTER MIDNIGHT starting April 1
Posted: 2/19/14 at 6:39pm

This is great news! I'm still trying to find out how long Duke Hill is in the show.


"All our dreams can come true -- if we have the courage to pursue them." -- Walt Disney We must have different Gods. My God said "do to others what you would have them do to you". Your God seems to have said "My Way or the Highway".

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tazber
#3Vanessa Williams to join AFTER MIDNIGHT starting April 1
Posted: 2/19/14 at 6:40pm

Wow, they are really getting some great guest stars!


....but the world goes 'round

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CarlosAlberto
#4Vanessa Williams to join AFTER MIDNIGHT starting April 1
Posted: 2/19/14 at 6:43pm

Take all my friggin money NOW!!!!

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quizking101
#5Vanessa Williams to join AFTER MIDNIGHT starting April 1
Posted: 2/19/14 at 6:53pm

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSS!


Check out my eBay page for sales on Playbills!! www.ebay.com/usr/missvirginiahamm

blacktie
#6Vanessa Williams to join AFTER MIDNIGHT starting April 1
Posted: 2/19/14 at 8:00pm

Great news.

On another note...are the special guests eligible for Tony consideration?

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Matt Rogers
#7Vanessa Williams to join AFTER MIDNIGHT starting April 1
Posted: 2/19/14 at 8:06pm

Does this mean Shirley Bassey said no?

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everythingtaboo
#8Vanessa Williams to join AFTER MIDNIGHT starting April 1
Posted: 2/19/14 at 9:12pm

There's always room after May 11th for Shirley Bassey. Who knows, she might be the Special Guest Star just in time for the Tony voters. In the meantime, I'm super damn excited for my 'nessa!




"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008

ACL2006 Profile Photo
ACL2006
#9Vanessa Williams to join AFTER MIDNIGHT starting April 1
Posted: 2/19/14 at 10:16pm

not after May 11, Fantasia is scheduled to return. Maybe come the fall??


A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.

HorseTears Profile Photo
HorseTears
#10Vanessa Williams to join AFTER MIDNIGHT starting April 1
Posted: 2/19/14 at 10:43pm

I think Vanessa Williams is a beautiful and glamorous woman and a gifted actress and I admire her dedication to the theatre, but I also think she's a rather boring vocalist. She has a very pleasant voice, but I wouldn't say it's particularly moving or exciting. And I say this as someone who bought The Comfort Zone on the day it came out. Or at least my parents bought it for me. Let's face it, this is not really an acting gig, but a singing gig.

A good, safe choice, just not particularly exciting. It will be interesting to see if she's a box office draw, too.

Updated On: 2/19/14 at 10:43 PM

Play  Esq. Profile Photo
Play Esq.
#11Vanessa Williams to join AFTER MIDNIGHT starting April 1
Posted: 2/19/14 at 10:55pm

Horse:

You have posted a lot about this production, especially your love for Fantasia. From someone who had (embarrassingly…) not seen the production yet, who should I see? Love KD, and Toni was my "straight" crush as a teen (embarrassingly again…). But not sure if I should wait for Fantasia or bite the bullet with any of the upcoming parties.

Your thoughts?

HorseTears Profile Photo
HorseTears
#12Vanessa Williams to join AFTER MIDNIGHT starting April 1
Posted: 2/19/14 at 11:31pm

Play Esq:

Happy to answer that, but keep in mind that while I'm a fan of k.d. lang's, I haven't seen her in After Midnight and I'm not a particular fan of Toni Braxton or Babyface. From the clips I've seen, from the audience reports on her, and from the new reviews in the NY Post and NY Magazine, it appears that k.d. lang is a great addition to the cast and offers a unique take on the four classic songs she sings. But that's something worth noting as well--the guest star sings four songs. In an evening that features more than 25 songs. Even if the guest star was a total dud (and I don't think that will be the case with any of the upcoming talent), it would be pretty close to impossible for him/her to ruin the evening because there is too much talent up on that stage. Practically every other number is an and out and out showstopper. It's the first show I can recall seeing and wanting an encore of every single number. Like, that second. It's like an injection of pure liquid joy.

Fantasia, bless her, was something else. When you see Fantasia in this show, you are witnessing an artist rising to the challenge and being the most extraordinary vessel for this music. She is undeniably connected to this material on a cellular level. She somehow manages to be authentic to the period while feeling viscerally raw and contemporary. The YouTube clips, as well produced as they are, don't do her performance justice. If you had to choose one guest star, I'd say wait for Fantasia's (reported, but unconfirmed) return.

But, if you enjoy jazz, the music of Duke Ellington, Harold Arlen and Cab Calloway, great dancing, exquisite musicianship, I think you'd want to see this show more than once. And as you know, this business is unpredictable. There's no guarantee that this show will end up being a hit and running for months and years to come. If it ends up tanking at the box office, perhaps there won't even be a return of Fantasia. I would not risk missing it. If you can afford it, I'd say go see it now with k.d. and then come back when Fantasia returns.

Updated On: 2/19/14 at 11:31 PM

Play  Esq. Profile Photo
Play Esq.
#13Vanessa Williams to join AFTER MIDNIGHT starting April 1
Posted: 2/19/14 at 11:34pm

Thank you, Horse! I think I shall do just that!


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