www.felaonbroadway.com

Okay, so for those of you who have not seen Fela on Broadway, if you're ever in NYC you should go see it before its last run in January 2011. The actor who plays Fela, does an excellent job. Patti LaBelle will be playing the role of Fela's mother, starting tonight, 9/14/10 on several nights.

I went to see Fela tonight, and Patti did a great job. I even got to hold her hand at the end of the show when the cast did a circle around the audience. Patti's voice was just as beautiful as the song bird that she is. If you get a chance, you should go see it. She isn't going to be in every performance, so you have to check Telecharge to see which nights she'll be appearing.

Also, Will and Jada Pinkett was there, in the balcony kand they were waving to audience members. Of course they were obviously there to showsupport for Patti's first night. Lynn Whitfield was also there, conversing with audience members during intermission. I was sitting two seats in front of Al Sharpton as well. There were other celebs there, but I was too busy enjoying the show to see who else came to support Patti's first night. If you're in NYC, try to see this excellent musical.

Here's a summary on the musical:

Grammy Award-winning, multi-platinum recording artist Patti LaBelle joins the cast of the Broadway musical Fela! on 14 Sep 2010, assuming role of Fela’s mother (Funmilayo Anikulapo-Kuti) through to 2 Jan 2011 when the show will play its final performance.

LaBelle assumes the role from Tony Award-winner Lillias White. White, who received a 2010 Tony-nomination for her performance as 'Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, played her final performance on 12 Sep 2010.

Fela! received three 2010 Tony Awards, including Best Choreography, Best Costume Design and Best Sound Design. It is currently playing at Broadway’s Eugene O’Neill Theatre, where it opened on 23 Nov 2010, following previews from 19 Oct 2010.

Fela! opened to excellent reviews: This is an event (newyorktheatreguide); Singular, sensational show (NY Times); Earns its exclamation point, joyfully and relentlessly (USA Today).

The musical is about the extravagant, decadent and rebellious world of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti. Using his pioneering music (a blend of jazz, funk and African rhythm and harmonies), Fela! explores Kuti's controversial life as artist, political activist and revolutionary musician.The show is a hybrid of concert, dance and musical theater.

This musical is directed and choreographed by Tony Award-winner Bill T. Jones (Spring Awakening), with a book by Jim Lewis and Bill T. Jones.

[Edited 9/14/10 20:55pm]

sounds interesting

The Smiths produced this, right?

sosgemini said:

The Smiths produced this, right?

Yes, and Jay-Z. The Smiths were there last night waving from the balcony.

i'm SO glad i saw this before they added Patti.

It's gonna be a long time before I can think beyond Purple Rain Purple RAIIIIIIIIIIIN and shoes flyin into the audience. This might be one to watch from the balcony.

[img:$uid]http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l8srzvJUc01qaubtxo1_400.jpg[/img:$uid]

2elijah said:

sosgemini said:

The Smiths produced this, right?

Yes, and Jay-Z. The Smiths were there last night waving from the balcony.

Questlove is a producer, too.

Timmy84 said:

[img:$uid]http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l8srzvJUc01qaubtxo1_400.jpg[/img:$uid]

Hey, where'd you get that pic? That was at the end of the show. I was sitting to the right, Orchestra, 2 row. I had my hand up to high-five Patti when her and the guy that played Fela and the rest of the cast, went around the orchestra row. She instead, clasped my hand. Just about all the dancers high-fved me when they passed by at the end of the show, plus the guy that played Fela. Were you at the show?

The dancers were awesome and I loved the band. This was my second time seeing it, and I'm going back again, to take my mother and other sisters. I just love that show. It ends in January 2011.

Patti isn't in it every night, so those who go to see it, check telecharge site when purchasing the tickets to see what nights she appears.

[Edited 9/15/10 21:08pm]

Paris9748430 said:

2elijah said:

Yes, and Jay-Z. The Smiths were there last night waving from the balcony.

Questlove is a producer, too.

Cool. It was jam-packed last night.

datdude said:

i'm SO glad i saw this before they added Patti.

Why? She did a great job, and it's a minor role, as she only comes out on stage no more than about 4 times. She did well.

Okay, Timmy, I finally found some pics. I was looking for some earlier:

The audience gave Patti lots of love!

Sahr Ngaujah (played Fela) and Patti Labelle - getting applause from audience

Sahr Ngaujah embracing Ms. Patti at end of show

Patti w/the paparazzi

Actor who played "Fela" Sahr Ngaujahand Patti

[Edited 9/15/10 21:48pm]

Here's a link with some pics

http://www.broadwayworld....A_20100915

Photo Credit: Monica Simoes

Sahr Ngaujah ("Fela") and Patti Labelle at end of "Fela" performance

Patti going around the audience after the show (No Patti wasn't about to throw her shoe.. )

Patti walking past audience members reaching out and touching their hands, including mine

as she walks towards the stage at end of show I am somewhere

in there on the far right, closest to the front of the stage.

Patti getting applause from the audience after "Fela" performance

Patti Labelle and members of "Fela" cast

Lynn Whitfield at "Fela" on Sept 14th

I had a great time. The show was full of energy.

[Edited 9/15/10 21:45pm]

good to see her finally putting those over-singing histrionics of hers to their proper use.

2elijah said:

Here's a link with some pics

http://www.broadwayworld....A_20100915

Photo Credit: Monica Simoes

Sahr Ngaujah ("Fela") and Patti Labelle at end of "Fela" performance

Patti going around the audience after the show (No Patti wasn't about to throw her shoe.. )

Patti walking past audience members reaching out and touching their hands, including mine

as she walks towards the stage at end of show I am somewhere

in there on the far right, closest to the front of the stage.

Patti getting applause from the audience after "Fela" performance

Patti Labelle and members of "Fela" cast

Lynn Whitfield at "Fela" on Sept 14th

I had a great time. The show was full of energy.

[Edited 9/15/10 21:45pm]

Great pics!

2elijah said:

Okay, Timmy, I finally found some pics. I was looking for some earlier:

The audience gave Patti lots of love!

Sahr Ngaujah (played Fela) and Patti Labelle - getting applause from audience

Sahr Ngaujah embracing Ms. Patti at end of show

Patti w/the paparazzi

Actor who played "Fela" Sahr Ngaujahand Patti

[Edited 9/15/10 21:48pm]

You the girl, 2elijah!

[Edited 9/16/10 9:50am]

Wow, Patti looks like Whoopi in For Colored Girls.

Timmy84 said:

2elijah said:

Okay, Timmy, I finally found some pics. I was looking for some earlier:

The audience gave Patti lots of love!

Sahr Ngaujah (played Fela) and Patti Labelle - getting applause from audience

Sahr Ngaujah embracing Ms. Patti at end of show

Patti w/the paparazzi

Actor who played "Fela" Sahr Ngaujahand Patti

[Edited 9/15/10 21:48pm]

You the man, 2elijah!

Thanks Timmy, but I am a female.

[Edited 9/16/10 9:37am]

sosgemini said:

Wow, Patti looks like Whoopi in For Colored Girls.

She's in African dress. I believe Whoopi's character is phaying that of a church woman.

2elijah said:

Timmy84 said:

You the man, 2elijah!

Thanks Timmy, but I am a female.

[Edited 9/16/10 9:37am]

My bad. You the girl! lol

Steve McQueen is developing the biopic project to be portrayed by Chiwetel Ejiofor, in fact, I'm sure they signed the rights

Those are some fabulous pix, 2Elijah. I think black entertainment is enjoying a revival in broadway this year, check out this article:

Some Quickie Theater News… for those in NYC, or planning on being in NYC for any of these Broadway shows, all of which we’ve talked about on this blog.

- First, if you needed more of a reason to see Broadway’s hottest musical, here’s another one… Ms. Patti Labelle has joined the cast of the award-winning (won three 2010 Tony Awards) Fela! on Broadway.

The musical, directed and choreographed by Bill T. Jones is the story of legendary Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo Kuti, who died in 1997.

Ms Patti, a legend herself, joins the cast as Kuti’s mother, Funmilayo Anikulapo-Kuti. She will begin performances tomorrow, Tuesday, September 14, and will continue through Saturday, July 2, 2011, which is when the show is scheduled to end its run.

For showtimes and tickets, visit www.felaonbroadway.com.

- Second, tickets are now on sale for the upcoming production of A Free Man of Color, a new play by John Guare, directed by George C. Wolfe, opening at the Vivian Beaumont Theater on November 18th, 2010, following previews which begin on October 21st.

Thespian Jeffrey Wright will be bringing his Tony, Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning acting skills to the production, as its star, in a play that’s set in New Orleans, in the year 1801, and centers on Jacques Cornet (played by Wright), “a new world Don Juan and the wealthiest inhabitant of this sexually charged and racially progressive city. Jacques thinks all is well in his paradise until history intervenes, setting off a chain of events which no one, much less this free man of color, realizes is about to splinter the world.”

Of course, said chain of events would more than likely be the Louisiana Purchase.

Actors of note joining Wright will be Mos Def (who also co-starred with Jeffrey in Suzan-Lori Parks’ Tony Award-winning play Topdog/Underdog), Nicole Beharie (whom most will remember from 2009’s American Violet), Joseph Marcell (Geoffrey the butler fromThe Fresh Prince Of Bel Air), Paul Dano (played opposite Daniel Day Lewis in There Will Be Blood), and a host of other acclaimed talents!

For showtimes and tickets CLICK HERE.

- Third, tickets are also now on sale for the Broadway debut of Driving Miss Daisy. We already told you this was coming, so no surprises, I hope. Most of you have probably seen the movie, so you should know what to expect. James Earl Jones & Vanessa Redgrave are starring. Previews begin in about a month, October 7th. Tickets may be purchased online, by phone, or at the box office. CLICK HERE for showtimes and ticket info.

- And finally, after a much applauded off-broadway run earlier this year, The Scottsboro Boys are headed to Broadway! The musical production examines the notorious 1930s case of a group of young African-American men who were falsely accused of rape in rural Alabama.

Colman Domingo, Joshua Henry and two-time Tony winner John Cullum lead the talented cast of this new musical, directed and choreographed by Tony winner Susan Stroman (The Producers).

Previews begin October 7, with an October 31 opening night at the Lyceum Theatrescheduled.

Tickets are on sale now. CLICK HERE for showtimes and ticket sales info.

The Halle Berry/Samuel L. Jackson production of The Mountaintop, to be directed byKenny Leon (Fences) was initially planned for a fall opening, but that doesn’t seem to be the case anymore. I haven’t heard anything further about play dates. But when I do, you’ll know!

That’s all for now… GREAT to see a selection of so-called “black-themed” shows on Broadway this year. It may be the “blackest” autumn/winter that Broadway has ever seen " />

I live in NYC, and I definitely plan on seeing both A Free Man Of Color and The Scottsboro Boys. I’ve already seen Fela! I have little interest in Driving Miss Daisy.

Harlepolis said:

Steve McQueen is developing the biopic project to be portrayed by Chiwetel Ejiofor, in fact, I'm sure they signed the rights

Those are some fabulous pix, 2Elijah. I think black entertainment is enjoying a revival in broadway this year, check out this article:

Give My Regards To Broadway…

By Tambay, on September 13th, 2010

Some Quickie Theater News… for those in NYC, or planning on being in NYC for any of these Broadway shows, all of which we’ve talked about on this blog.

- First, if you needed more of a reason to see Broadway’s hottest musical, here’s another one… Ms. Patti Labelle has joined the cast of the award-winning (won three 2010 Tony Awards) Fela! on Broadway.

The musical, directed and choreographed by Bill T. Jones is the story of legendary Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo Kuti, who died in 1997.

Ms Patti, a legend herself, joins the cast as Kuti’s mother, Funmilayo Anikulapo-Kuti. She will begin performances tomorrow, Tuesday, September 14, and will continue through Saturday, July 2, 2011, which is when the show is scheduled to end its run.

For showtimes and tickets, visit www.felaonbroadway.com.

- Second, tickets are now on sale for the upcoming production of A Free Man of Color, a new play by John Guare, directed by George C. Wolfe, opening at the Vivian Beaumont Theater on November 18th, 2010, following previews which begin on October 21st.

Thespian Jeffrey Wright will be bringing his Tony, Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning acting skills to the production, as its star, in a play that’s set in New Orleans, in the year 1801, and centers on Jacques Cornet (played by Wright), “a new world Don Juan and the wealthiest inhabitant of this sexually charged and racially progressive city. Jacques thinks all is well in his paradise until history intervenes, setting off a chain of events which no one, much less this free man of color, realizes is about to splinter the world.”

Of course, said chain of events would more than likely be the Louisiana Purchase.

Actors of note joining Wright will be Mos Def (who also co-starred with Jeffrey in Suzan-Lori Parks’ Tony Award-winning play Topdog/Underdog), Nicole Beharie (whom most will remember from 2009’s American Violet), Joseph Marcell (Geoffrey the butler fromThe Fresh Prince Of Bel Air), Paul Dano (played opposite Daniel Day Lewis in There Will Be Blood), and a host of other acclaimed talents!

For showtimes and tickets CLICK HERE.

- Third, tickets are also now on sale for the Broadway debut of Driving Miss Daisy. We already told you this was coming, so no surprises, I hope. Most of you have probably seen the movie, so you should know what to expect. James Earl Jones & Vanessa Redgrave are starring. Previews begin in about a month, October 7th. Tickets may be purchased online, by phone, or at the box office. CLICK HERE for showtimes and ticket info.

- And finally, after a much applauded off-broadway run earlier this year, The Scottsboro Boys are headed to Broadway! The musical production examines the notorious 1930s case of a group of young African-American men who were falsely accused of rape in rural Alabama.

Colman Domingo, Joshua Henry and two-time Tony winner John Cullum lead the talented cast of this new musical, directed and choreographed by Tony winner Susan Stroman (The Producers).

Previews begin October 7, with an October 31 opening night at the Lyceum Theatrescheduled.

Tickets are on sale now. CLICK HERE for showtimes and ticket sales info.

The Halle Berry/Samuel L. Jackson production of The Mountaintop, to be directed byKenny Leon (Fences) was initially planned for a fall opening, but that doesn’t seem to be the case anymore. I haven’t heard anything further about play dates. But when I do, you’ll know!

That’s all for now… GREAT to see a selection of so-called “black-themed” shows on Broadway this year. It may be the “blackest” autumn/winter that Broadway has ever seen " />

I live in NYC, and I definitely plan on seeing both A Free Man Of Color and The Scottsboro Boys. I’ve already seen Fela! I have little interest in Driving Miss Daisy.

Thanks, but I got the Patti pics from the same link Timmy84 got them from.

I read in an article that Chris Rock saw "Fela" back in August, because "Prince" told him how good the play was, and that he should go see it, So Chris went the very next day and caught the play. This is my second time seeing this play, and i couldn't resist seeing Patti in her debut, so at the last minute before I left work on Tuesday, I bought a ticket, and got a second row, right-side orchestra seat, and had a fantastic front row view. More than likely I will see it again before the end of its run which is January 2011. I want to go when my 3 sisters take my mom, and I'm sure she will enjoy it. The music, dancing and the guy playing Fela is off the chain.

I heard about Chiwetel Ejiofor being cast as Fela in the movie version, and I can't wait to see the movie. Chiwetel is an excellent actor. It was my son that educated me about Fela and his music sometime back in 2007. This is the second time I've seen the play.

I am definitely going to see Jeffrey Wright in "A Free Man of Color", another favorite actor of mine, and I'm going to see "The Scottsboro Boys". I have no desire to see "Driving Miss Daisy".... but damn, I have to fill up my Broadway fund. I can't wait to see these plays Not sure if it's best to go during the previews of those upcoming two plays, but I'm excited about seeing it. Looks like it's going to be a mighty busy end of year for me trying to catch all these shows!

[Edited 9/16/10 11:12am]

Timmy84 said:

2elijah said:

Thanks Timmy, but I am a female.

[Edited 9/16/10 9:37am]

My bad. You the girl! lol

2elijah said:

Harlepolis said:

Steve McQueen is developing the biopic project to be portrayed by Chiwetel Ejiofor, in fact, I'm sure they signed the rights

Those are some fabulous pix, 2Elijah. I think black entertainment is enjoying a revival in broadway this year, check out this article:

Give My Regards To Broadway…

By Tambay, on September 13th, 2010

Some Quickie Theater News… for those in NYC, or planning on being in NYC for any of these Broadway shows, all of which we’ve talked about on this blog.

- First, if you needed more of a reason to see Broadway’s hottest musical, here’s another one… Ms. Patti Labelle has joined the cast of the award-winning (won three 2010 Tony Awards) Fela! on Broadway.

The musical, directed and choreographed by Bill T. Jones is the story of legendary Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo Kuti, who died in 1997.

Ms Patti, a legend herself, joins the cast as Kuti’s mother, Funmilayo Anikulapo-Kuti. She will begin performances tomorrow, Tuesday, September 14, and will continue through Saturday, July 2, 2011, which is when the show is scheduled to end its run.

For showtimes and tickets, visit www.felaonbroadway.com.

- Second, tickets are now on sale for the upcoming production of A Free Man of Color, a new play by John Guare, directed by George C. Wolfe, opening at the Vivian Beaumont Theater on November 18th, 2010, following previews which begin on October 21st.

Thespian Jeffrey Wright will be bringing his Tony, Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning acting skills to the production, as its star, in a play that’s set in New Orleans, in the year 1801, and centers on Jacques Cornet (played by Wright), “a new world Don Juan and the wealthiest inhabitant of this sexually charged and racially progressive city. Jacques thinks all is well in his paradise until history intervenes, setting off a chain of events which no one, much less this free man of color, realizes is about to splinter the world.”

Of course, said chain of events would more than likely be the Louisiana Purchase.

Actors of note joining Wright will be Mos Def (who also co-starred with Jeffrey in Suzan-Lori Parks’ Tony Award-winning play Topdog/Underdog), Nicole Beharie (whom most will remember from 2009’s American Violet), Joseph Marcell (Geoffrey the butler fromThe Fresh Prince Of Bel Air), Paul Dano (played opposite Daniel Day Lewis in There Will Be Blood), and a host of other acclaimed talents!

For showtimes and tickets CLICK HERE.

- Third, tickets are also now on sale for the Broadway debut of Driving Miss Daisy. We already told you this was coming, so no surprises, I hope. Most of you have probably seen the movie, so you should know what to expect. James Earl Jones & Vanessa Redgrave are starring. Previews begin in about a month, October 7th. Tickets may be purchased online, by phone, or at the box office. CLICK HERE for showtimes and ticket info.

- And finally, after a much applauded off-broadway run earlier this year, The Scottsboro Boys are headed to Broadway! The musical production examines the notorious 1930s case of a group of young African-American men who were falsely accused of rape in rural Alabama.

Colman Domingo, Joshua Henry and two-time Tony winner John Cullum lead the talented cast of this new musical, directed and choreographed by Tony winner Susan Stroman (The Producers).

Previews begin October 7, with an October 31 opening night at the Lyceum Theatrescheduled.

Tickets are on sale now. CLICK HERE for showtimes and ticket sales info.

The Halle Berry/Samuel L. Jackson production of The Mountaintop, to be directed byKenny Leon (Fences) was initially planned for a fall opening, but that doesn’t seem to be the case anymore. I haven’t heard anything further about play dates. But when I do, you’ll know!

That’s all for now… GREAT to see a selection of so-called “black-themed” shows on Broadway this year. It may be the “blackest” autumn/winter that Broadway has ever seen " />

I live in NYC, and I definitely plan on seeing both A Free Man Of Color and The Scottsboro Boys. I’ve already seen Fela! I have little interest in Driving Miss Daisy.

Thanks, but I got the Patti pics from the same link Timmy84 got them from.

I read in an article that Chris Rock saw "Fela" back in August, because "Prince" told him how good the play was, and that he should go see it, So Chris went the very next day and caught the play. This is my second time seeing this play, and i couldn't resist seeing Patti in her debut, so at the last minute before I left work on Tuesday, I bought a ticket, and got a second row, right-side orchestra seat, and had a fantastic front row view. More than likely I will see it again before the end of its run which is January 2011. I want to go when my 3 sisters take my mom, and I'm sure she will enjoy it. The music, dancing and the guy playing Fela is off the chain.

I heard about Chiwetel Ejiofor being cast as Fela in the movie version, and I can't wait to see the movie. Chiwetel is an excellent actor. It was my son that educated me about Fela and his music sometime back in 2007. This is the second time I've seen the play.

I am definitely going to see Jeffrey Wright in "A Free Man of Color", another favorite actor of mine, and I'm going to see "The Scottsboro Boys". I have no desire to see "Driving Miss Daisy".... but damn, I have to fill up my Broadway fund. I can't wait to see these plays Not sure if it's best to go during the previews of those upcoming two plays, but I'm excited about seeing it. Looks like it's going to be a mighty busy end of year for me trying to catch all these shows!

[Edited 9/16/10 11:12am]

This is what started me as a fan...

[img:$uid]http://ipaintmymind.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/fela-music-is-the-weapon-film-cover.jpg[/img:$uid]

One of my FAVE documentary films ever,,,,,knowing your infatuation with docu-films too, I'm pretty sure you'd be as mesmerized.

My sister & mother went to the broadway show(prior to Patti's debut) and like the rest of the people who have seen it, they were in a trance. Good to know that you & your family had a good time.

Harlepolis said:

2elijah said:

Thanks, but I got the Patti pics from the same link Timmy84 got them from.

I read in an article that Chris Rock saw "Fela" back in August, because "Prince" told him how good the play was, and that he should go see it, So Chris went the very next day and caught the play. This is my second time seeing this play, and i couldn't resist seeing Patti in her debut, so at the last minute before I left work on Tuesday, I bought a ticket, and got a second row, right-side orchestra seat, and had a fantastic front row view. More than likely I will see it again before the end of its run which is January 2011. I want to go when my 3 sisters take my mom, and I'm sure she will enjoy it. The music, dancing and the guy playing Fela is off the chain.

I heard about Chiwetel Ejiofor being cast as Fela in the movie version, and I can't wait to see the movie. Chiwetel is an excellent actor. It was my son that educated me about Fela and his music sometime back in 2007. This is the second time I've seen the play.

I am definitely going to see Jeffrey Wright in "A Free Man of Color", another favorite actor of mine, and I'm going to see "The Scottsboro Boys". I have no desire to see "Driving Miss Daisy".... but damn, I have to fill up my Broadway fund. I can't wait to see these plays Not sure if it's best to go during the previews of those upcoming two plays, but I'm excited about seeing it. Looks like it's going to be a mighty busy end of year for me trying to catch all these shows!

[Edited 9/16/10 11:12am]

This is what started me as a fan...

[img:$uid]http://ipaintmymind.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/fela-music-is-the-weapon-film-cover.jpg[/img:$uid]

One of my FAVE documentary films ever,,,,,knowing your infatuation with docu-films too, I'm pretty sure you'd be as mesmerized.

My sister & mother went to the broadway show(prior to Patti's debut) and like the rest of the people who have seen it, they were in a trance. Good to know that you & your family had a good time.

Yes, I actually saw parts of the documentary on youtube. My favorite song has always been "Expensive sh*t" and after seeing the play prior to Patti, and when Patti joined the cast, I was able to understand the meaning behind the song I so admire who Fela was and his courage fighting against he military and the Nigerian governent's corruption, as well as his mother's influence, who gave him the strength to stand up and question the Nigerian government, and it's corruption within. His music tells of the pain and struggle of the Nigerian people at that time, and raised, as well as raises awareness of the corruption within the Nigerian government during that time, as well as, the outside forces that had their hands in it too.

[Edited 9/16/10 11:29am]

I've seen the show twice (with Lillias White). I love Patti, but I have a hard time imagining her doing a better job than her predecessor. Hmmm...maybe I need to see it again to determine.

Efan said:

I've seen the show twice (with Lillias White). I love Patti, but I have a hard time imagining her doing a better job than her predecessor. Hmmm...maybe I need to see it again to determine.

Yes, I've seen it twice, and the one with Patti, was my second time. Patti's voice was pretty much under control, and quite frankly, was not as though she was singing at a concert, where she let's loose, which singing in a concert is much different than when you're in a broadway role. I think people need to understand that Patti has to stay within the musical's script, so it's not like her range was that much different than what Lillias White did. I would say she kept her voice pretty much within the same range as Lillias White.

2elijah said:

Efan said:

I've seen the show twice (with Lillias White). I love Patti, but I have a hard time imagining her doing a better job than her predecessor. Hmmm...maybe I need to see it again to determine.

Yes, I've seen it twice, and the one with Patti, was my second time. Patti's voice was pretty much under control, and quite frankly, was not as though she was singing at a concert, where she let's loose, which singing in a concert is much different than when you're in a broadway role. I think people need to understand that Patti has to stay within the musical's script, so it's not like her range was that much different than what Lillias White did. I would say she kept her voice pretty much within the same range as Lillias White.

It'd be worth it to see again to hear what she does with it. Lillias White is amazing but I've heard from friends that she can be...difficult. So I'm glad they've got Patti if it makes the production smoother for them in any way.

That role really only has two big moments, and I have to admit, it's the first one (Trouble Sleep) that really broke my heart when Lillias performed it. It's that one that I'm having trouble imagining Patti doing, rather than the big song she gets to do in the second act (for some reason, I just never liked the song...it's decent but somewhat underwhelming to me).

2elijah said:

Efan said:

I've seen the show twice (with Lillias White). I love Patti, but I have a hard time imagining her doing a better job than her predecessor. Hmmm...maybe I need to see it again to determine.

Yes, I've seen it twice, and the one with Patti, was my second time. Patti's voice was pretty much under control, and quite frankly, was not as though she was singing at a concert, where she let's loose, which singing in a concert is much different than when you're in a broadway role. I think people need to understand that Patti has to stay within the musical's script, so it's not like her range was that much different than what Lillias White did. I would say she kept her voice pretty much within the same range as Lillias White.

Ya know, reading this thread, I can't help but to feel proud of Auntie Patti, you can't say the woman doesn't have credentials.

A long fruitful career and the BEST THING about it is she's getting her acclaim & demand moreso nowadays than before, esp where singers her age(and background) are either dead, in self-imposed exile or fell into obscurity.

Harlepolis said:

2elijah said:

Yes, I've seen it twice, and the one with Patti, was my second time. Patti's voice was pretty much under control, and quite frankly, was not as though she was singing at a concert, where she let's loose, which singing in a concert is much different than when you're in a broadway role. I think people need to understand that Patti has to stay within the musical's script, so it's not like her range was that much different than what Lillias White did. I would say she kept her voice pretty much within the same range as Lillias White.

Ya know, reading this thread, I can't help but to feel proud of Auntie Patti, you can't say the woman doesn't have credentials.

A long fruitful career and the BEST THING about it is she's getting her acclaim & demand moreso nowadays than before, esp where singers her age(and background) are either dead, in self-imposed exile or fell into obscurity.

She received so much love from the audience. I was happy I got to hold her hand. She's a gem. Some of these artists today only dream of their career lasting as long as hers, and achieving the respect of a well-known aritst. Not to mention, half these artists today are lucky if their career last more than 2 years.