As reported by Sohh.com

http://blogs.sohh.com/ya_...ia_cl.html

Did Fantasia Close Down Broadway's "The Color Purple"??

That's what I'm hearing. Apparently after two years, and over 910 regular performances, the show will close on Sunday, February 24. But from what I'm hearing the reason why the show won't go on is all because of Fantasia Barino. While the show grossed over one hundred million dollars in it's two year stint it seems the the show experienced a surge of ticket sales/losses when Fantasia signed on to play the well-known character of Celie. Most of the shows ticket losses were due to Fannny canceling over 50 performances. For those of you who've never been to a Broadway show, when the star is a no show the ticket holder is entitled to a complete refund if they don't care to see the understudy.

Though the American Idol winner gave the production team hell during her time on Broadway - ticket sales experienced a huge drop once it was announced that Fantasia would be leaving the show after almost a year. So after much deliberation the powers that B just decided to end its run and send it out on a national tour.

I can't say that I blame them. I've seen the show with and without the screaming songstress and I have to admit that I don't want to see it again if Fanny isn't apart if it. For those of you who missed it. Just check out this performance:

But here's the official announcement

(AP) "The Color Purple" will close Feb. 24 on Broadway after a run of more than two years.

The musical, based on Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of triumph over adversity, will have played 910 performances by the time the final curtain falls next month at the Broadway Theatre.

The current cast includes Zonya Love as Celie, Walker's determined heroine, as well as Grammy winners Chaka Khan and BeBe Winans and "American Idol" finalist LaKisha Jones.

http://www.showbuzz.cbsne...9702.shtml

Gotta get some ticket's this weekend

If she was under contract and missed 50 shows cant they just sue her for the money lost? Shit if that was my show i would sue her in a New york minute.

I heard it’s closing on Broadway but going on tour to other cities.

lastdecember said:

Isn't this an "Oprah Winfrey Presents..." venture...? If so, it would be bad business to sue...

After the big media infusion Winfrey personally approved and oversaw via her media conglomerate to push Fantasia, I would imagine this sort of situation is best handled "in-house"...if you get my drift. She invested a lot in that girl. Pity to see how Barrino slacked off. Christ, I have so many friends that have broken their asses to get to Broadway, or on a "speed dial" basis with a mogul as powerful as Winfrey...shit even OFF-Broadway... 50 missed performances in THAT world if ridiculous. You and I BOTH know it

Argh, Broadway is such a chance. I remember going to see Aida when Deborah Cox was starring. Of course she was out that night but her understudy was so good I had no complaints. Still enjoyed the show.

Ottensen said:

Well she is showing DIVA behavior but not living up to it with the talent. I think some people can get a little full of themselves to quick. I mean OPRAH picks you and this how you treat her and her production. Maybe not sueing but i think if she had a contract, shes got to lose money for it because its an example and i think oprah of all people likes to set good examples, not doing anything would be giving into this behavior. I can see if missing a few do to health issues or something like that, but i havent heard of her having health issues forcing her to not be able to perform. I think Fantasia let the IDOL go to her head to quick, as quick as you people like you, they will hate you tomorrow, and like Jay Leno told Dice Clay one time "when people just hate you, they will always hate you its impossible to get them to like you after hating you".

One of the reasons why I hate Idol… oh there are so many but—and I could be wrong—it seems to propel people to stardom who are either not prepared or have not paid dues. Many of them get opportunities that they don’t deserve or just aren’t ready for. Just because you sang in the church choir and can hold a note or you sang at bar-mitzvahs part-time does not necessarily mean you are ready for the lifestyle of a professional performer and they are thrown into near-superstar status in a very short amount of time even if they fall off just as quickly.

There are women who have gone to school and studied all their lives to perform on Broadway who will never even get the chance to audition for the lead in The Color Purple because they are 'nobodies'.

JackieBlue said:

Yeah and even more, Chaka Khan who is in the show now, is a DIVA and she would never do something like this. I think in the end this will cost Fantasia because people "remember" and if you get a "rep" like that, you might as well give it up now or make some kind of amends because its only a matter of time.

This is what happens when u bring someone 2 the big time that did NOT pay any dues.

lastdecember said:

Broadway is incredibly, unbelievably demanding in every way. No one but an experienced veteran live performer should have been cast in that role. LaChanze and Chaka have decades under their belt. I understand wanting a supreme opportunity but I might have regretfully and respectfully declined.
[Edited 1/25/08 11:19am]

In all fairness her missing shows were due to voice problems... I guess she was not use to doing 2 shows per day for 6 days a week and they extended her contract because she was so good in the role and brought in big business

banks said:

50 shows due to voice trouble? if thats the case then she seriously needs to learn how to sing, and thats what i mean about the big difference between having a good voice and knowing how to properly sing, im guessing because of that lack of training she has blown it out.I blame this on the "oversinging" generation of Aguilera/Beyonce.

lastdecember said:

yeah i say over singing... ain't no way someone who sings the way she does can do that 2 times day 6 days a week, month after month

lastdecember said:

I agree with what you're saying. I didn't infer at all that the issue would not or should not be dealt with at all...I said that it should (and probably would
) be dealt with "in-house"... IF YA GET MA-DRIFT.

banks said:

Indina

Knowing how to sing is more than just opening your mouth and reciting lyrics to a melody and two points seem to seriously be lacking today are:

- Understanding of one’s own unique voice and how to properly use it for expression. Not just reciting lyrics but the vocal mechanics behind singing.

- How to care, exercise and treat your vocal cords to avoid injury and have longevity. If you’re not taking care of yourself—eating right, resting, avoiding certain substances and foods—then you’re not taking care of your cords either. It’s all connected.

The indifference or reluctance to learn how to ‘play’ is not just confined to the physical instrument.
[Edited 1/25/08 11:49am]

banks said:

Of course she can. As do many the world over who bust their asses in the theatre, in world reknown productions.

All it takes is a proper vocal coach and re-training of the voice. Beyonce actually has vocal teachers, and has had them for years . Y'all would be surprised how 95% percent of the folks we know as top 40 or pop/rock megastars have coaches to keep their voices in check. These suckas actually do proper scales and warm-ups hours before the show as if they were honor students in a proverbial School of the Arts... if they didn't they would blow out within ONE WEEK of touring or stage performances. Many of the great voices in music history have blown out their voices and had to re-train their instrument as a result. But it'snot something that can be done within a couple days and you just get back onstage. If you've busted up your voice THAT bad you usually have to refrain from singing AND speaking altogether over a long course of time, and go through intensive therapy to relearn how to use your muscles to talk, to laugh, to sing---it's HARDCORE.

Love ya, Banks, but I ain't falling for the voice trouble thing....all those spotty absences...? I know too many session, concert, and theatre singers...and their dictator-assed teachers who won't let that sh*t slide

JackieBlue said:

Ottensen said:

Chances are the moment Fantasia agreed to do the gig, a top vocal coach was thrown her way if not part of the deal that she work with said coach to get the gig in the first place.

maaan she admitted that it was too much for her health and her vocal chords doing that show in the pitches or octives she had to sing in. plus she was doing it like seven nights a week. I would agree if fantasia wasn't in the play I would not see it. however, she probably didn't know how hard it was until she got into it.

All the more why experienced performers only should have done that role. Again, it’s just very demanding and let’s not talk about the emotional side of it. That’s no light-hearted role she was playing. Where is she pulling the emotion from every night with little to no acting experience? Even veterans struggle with turning ‘it’ on and off at times. I don’t envy her position whatever the case but I’m sure there are plenty of well prepared actresses who did.

But with all that said, I still don’t know if the closing should be blamed on her. They made A LOT of money before her and they will make even more money on the road going to other cities, especially in Atlanta where it first jumped off.

She can't possibly be dumb enough to not realize that this show is ALL she has going for her.

She doesn't have a music career, no acting roles are on the way, and she's not working on anything. There has to be something else going on. How do you give up something like this simply because it's "hard" and then run off to go get knocked up by a drug dealer and follow him around?

Countdown to Fanny's return to the PJ's.

Dance said:

True,

Graycap23 said:

wait a minute.... is that what happened? ohh my.....

Dance said:

She has a new cd due out in 2008 and her contract in the show was up... it should have been over months ago but she extended her stint due to demands for tickets
[Edited 1/25/08 12:54pm]

banks said:

Regardless of the contract...that was keeping the lights on and buying Hanner Montaner CDs for the rugrat

Even though Fanny's one of the few artists that can actually sell records and she has a little fanbase going, it doesn't mean much. She's not Kelly Clarkson or that other white girl.

Her best bet is this project or a string of chitlin plays.

Fifty Missed performances is absolutely ridiculous! Wonder what her excuse was?

Cinnamon234 said:

She had to eat, I guess.

CalhounSq said: