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Fantasia lights up 'Purple'

By Matt Windman | amNewYork Theater Critic

4:17 PM EDT, May 17, 2007

FANTASIA BARRINO, of "American Idol" is now starring as Celie in the long-running Broadway hit, 'The Color Purple.' (Newsday/Ari Mintz)

3 stars "It's Alive!" cried Dr. Victor Frankenstein, upon witnessing the current cast of Broadway's "The Color Purple," which has suddenly sprung to life over a year and a half following its Broadway birth.

In a new height for the "American Idols" on Broadway fad, Fantasia Barrino has taken over the lead role of Celie in "Color Purple," a poor black southern woman in the early twentieth century.

Unlike other "Idol" alumni like Anthony Fedorov, who is now in "The Fantasticks," or Tamyra Gray, who will join "Rent" this summer, Fantastia is not an "Idol" finalist. She is, in fact, the first "Idol" winner to perform on Broadway.

Twenty-two years old, and with no professional theater experience, it was quite a surprise to learn that Fantastia would play a role so large. The woman is almost never offstage or not belting a solo. And this is no mere musical comedy. Celie is a victim of child rape and physical abuse. The character also ages from a 14-year-old girl to a gray-haired woman by the show's finale.

But even if she lacks the professional polish of LaChanze, Fantasia is giving a genuinely authentic and powerful performance. The role fits her like a glove, and there is not a single moment where one doubts that she is truly embodying this unfortunate yet resilient character.

Also, thanks to small but significant changes to Gary Griffin's staging, "Color Purple" has finally achieved its goal of creating a fully developed, totally turbulent character journey expressed in song, African-American culture and religious motif. It may finally be time to take Oprah's advice and see the show.

Color Purple. Broadway Theatre, 1681 Broadway, 212-239-6200, $26.25-111.25. Tues 7pm, Wed 2 & 8pm, Thurs-Fri 8pm, Sat 2 & 8pm, Sun 3pm. Open Run.