Cynthia Erivo & Jennifer Hudson Sing Together for the First Time in 10 Years!

Very nice. I first saw Cynthia in the Broadway production of "The Color Purple." Jennifer was making her Broadway debut as Shug Avery. I am a big JHud fan since day one but I'd seen the original Broadway production with LaChanze and later Fantasia, who both made a huge impression with the Celie character. Cynthia was good but not as memorable, and I was underwhelmed by the production. JHud's voice in that theater was astounding. She was MARVELOUS as long as she was singing, and just OK when she wasn't.

I could not have predicted Cynthia's success from seeing her in "The Color Purple." At the time, I didn't understand the hype or the accolades. I have since come to appreciate her as a singer and an actress.

I saw one of the previews of the "Color Purple" revival and it was clear that Erivo was something else. Her "I'm Here" stopped the show, it was breathtaking. Her performance had it all.

But was it better than Cats?

R2, did you see the original Broadway production?

R4, yes, several times. The revival was so much better and Erivo was a force of nature.

[quote] [R4], yes, several times. The revival was so much better and Erivo was a force of nature.

Oooh...well we have differing opinions on what a force of nature looks, sounds and feels like. I wasn't a terribly big fan of the clunky original production but it was fuller and more colorful than the minimalist revival. Even so, I am glad Cynthia found her audience.

On the bright side, you will likely love the new "Sunset Blvd."

R6 I saw it in London and twice on Broadway.