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Imagine saving up for tickets to see Fantasia in "The Color Purple," only to find out on the day of the performance that her understudy will take the stage instead.
It happens sometimes - but according to the New York Post, it's happened nearly 50 times for the "American Idol" champ since summer.
Fantasia's latest no-show was last Friday, on the heels of a three-week dark period on Broadway caused by the stagehand strike. Her absence, according to the Post, sent one eight-year-old girl into hysterics at the Broadway Theater.
"It was very sad," a witness told the paper. "Her mother was trying to explain to her that Fantasia was sick, but the girl didn't understand and just kept crying."
When stars of Broadway shows are absent, patrons can either exchange the tickets for another day or get a refund. According to the Post, Fantasia's no-shows have cost "The Color Purple" box office tens of thousands of dollars in refunded tickets.
Fantasia did show up for work the day the strike hit and sang for disappointed fans outside the theater, the Post reports. News of her impromptu concert reached Sardi's, where a group of Shubert executives were lunching.
One reportedly said: "There's no show, and she's out there singing.
Now if we could get her to perform when there is a show, we'd be in business."
Sources say Fantasia's out a lot because she's simply not up to the grueling Broadway schedule.
Tony winner LaChanze, who originated the role of Miss Celie and earned a Tony Award for the portrayal, missed 40 shows during her Broadway run.
