Fantasia!

Just got back from watching The Color Purple and Fantasia was superstar-amazing. I've seen this show two times before, and it was already good with the original cast, but Fantasia transforms it into an almost completely new show and makes it her own. If you are ever going to watch a Broadway show before Jan. 6, 2008 (Fantasia's final performance) -- go see The Color Purple. It's one of the hottest tickets on Broadway right now and I've seen the reason why.

I think Fantasia as a performer is built for the Broadway stage, even if she is not the best actress in the world. She needs to improve on her speaking voice which was almost inaudible at some points, and her non-singing lines could be a bit more subtle. Fantasia however shines in two areas: comedy and pathos. Her comedic timing is impeccable and she delivers where it matters most -- the singing. Fantasia brings out the drama that is lacking in her speaking lines when she sings. Her emotions flow through the words of big numbers like "I'm Here", "What About Love" and "The Color Purple". She leaves everything there on the stage and it is riveting. I think I cried each time Fantasia sang. I love her.

Go Fantasia!

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I watched the show with my friend Demitriss who is visiting from Atlanta. He and his baby were on a budget so I volunteered to line up for 3 hours this morning to get rush tickets. We got center row 2 seats which were great. Afterwards, I wanted to get a picture with Fantasia (and the dancers I used to stalk -- LOL) but we had to eat. At least I know now how the crowds get after the show (not much, so that's good) -- so next time, I will just remember the experience from tonight when I do line up at the stage door.

I finally saw Fantasia Barrino -- the reason why rickey.org has become what it is right now. She was just a couple of feet in front of me, and she made me cry. Simply amazing.