Dreamgirls Revival Casting Ideas

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 10:45am

Just some of my ideas. Please post some of your own. I know it may seem unlikely to get some of these people, but if the movie hits as big as it could, a revival of the show will be even more huge than it would've been already. There's also the fact that the show means a great deal to a lot of black performers. Anyway, I'm sure some people will disagree with some of these choices anyway, but at least it will probably make for a good discussion.

Effie: Tarralyn Ramsey, Kelly Price, Capathia Jenkins, Lauryn Hill
Deena: Renee Elise Goldsberry, Sharon Leal, Paula Patton, Alicia Keys, Tatyana Ali, Mya
Lorrell: Fantasia, Maya Rudolph, Nicole Leach, Shanice, Jurnee Smollett, Nikki James, Deborah Cox
Curtis: Jesse L. Martin, Norm Lewis
Jimmy: Cleavant Derricks, Phillip Michael Thomas
C.C.: Brandon Victor Dixon, Jason Weaver, Marques Houston, Omarion
Marty: Keith David

[CurtisTaylorJr2]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 11:14am

Shoshana Bean as Effie! j/k, wanted to make people look.

Renee Elise Goldsberry, Fantasia, Jesse L. Martin and Jason Weaver would all be good in this show. I think the first Seaweed from Hairspray would make a good Jimmy, just from listening to him on the Hairspray OBC, I think he has the voice for it.

As for Effie, it's hard to say who should play that role.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 12:17pm

Philip Michael Thomas for Jimmy??! Isn't he dead or something -- dead career, whatever?

Carpathia Jenkins for Effie?! Maybe Effie's MOTHER!

Maya Rudolph for Deena would be good.

Oy!

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 12:25pm

Capathia doesn't look that old to me. It's not like all of the other actresses who've played the role were the same age as Jennifer Holliday when she first did it.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 12:32pm

Age isn't the issue -- you have to look 'young' to be a believable Effie.

Carpathia has a matronly look, similar to Sharon Wilkins. They look like 'mommas' not girls.

[Carl Magnum]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 12:33pm

Mr.Midwest, no disrespect, but Are you on drugs?

Lauryn Hill, Omarion, Alicia Keys.......give me a break. That would be terrible.

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 12:37pm

Carl, if you actually explained why those people wouldn't be good, we might be able to actually discuss it. People seem to have certain ideas locked in their head that they can't get past.

Lauryn Hill has a gospel voice and has acted before. What would be wrong with her?

[ShuQ]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 12:39pm

Yeah Capathia is definitely at a good age to play Effie.

[Kringas]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 12:41pm

Lauryn Hill doesn't have the warmth required for Effie (or at least, I've never seen her show any warmth).

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 12:45pm

You may be right. I do think she could sing it, though.

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 2:16pm

One big thing to keep in mind about this musical is that a huge amount of it is sung. I don't think you exactly have to be the most amazing actor to perform in it on stage as long as you're a strong singer who can make the audience feel every word.

Anyway, I'd be interested to hear some other casting ideas, especially from someone like Margo who probably has a lot of knowledge about people out there right now who could sing Effie.

By the way, I forgot to mention that I think Stacy Francis would be fantastic as Lorrell.

Also, did anyone see Alicia Keys on Oprah today with her long flowing diva hair? There's a pic or two here. http://www2.oprah.com/index.jhtml

[thejcm]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 2:24pm

I'm pretty sure she doesn't have the range to do it, but I would love to see Debra Wilson (from MadTv) play Lorrell. Granted, they'd have to find a way to cover up all of her tattoo's if she ever could do it, but still. Vocally, I think she could play Effie really well.

I love the idea of Maya Rudolph as Deena, or even Lorrell.

Too bad Anika and J.Hud are going to be majorly busy after the film version because god knows they'd both blow it out of the water on stage. Wouldn't it be funny if the girls (Beyonce, Jennifer, Anika, and Sharon) did it on stage for a limited time? Beyonce has said that she wants a Tony. If she's really good in the movie, maybe she could pull it off on stage. Plus it'd be a chance to hear Anika sing "Ain't No Party"

Posted: 10/13/06 at 3:04pm

Does anyone else think that Anika looks more like a young Diana Ross than Beyonce?

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 3:22pm

I could see Zoe Saldana as Deena or Michelle, but I'm not sure how well she can sing.

Gabrielle Union and Stacey Dash also seem like perfect Deenas to me, but I have no idea if they have any singing talent.

[FoscasBohemianDream]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 3:23pm

With the raves Nikki M. James is getting in The Wiz revival, I highly doubt she'd play Lorrell.

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 3:31pm

If she got the opportunity to play Lorrell and she turned it down, that'd be a huge mistake on her part in my opinion. It's not like a it's a tiny role and it'd be a great showcase for her voice. Plus, it's f*ckin' Dreamgirls.

That said, she'd probably be great in some of the other parts too.

[Casey3]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 6:27pm

I see Fantasia's name on the list and I'm guessing its more for Lorrell than anything else. That would seem the obvious choice, and while I think she could do Ain't No Party some much needed justice (Heather, luv ya but NO), I don't think she could hit the super high harmony parts required for the group numbers that Lorrell is major part of. That's probably why she auditioned for Effie in the film instead of Lorrell. Hmmm.....................

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 6:34pm

I think Jenkins has played Effie.

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 6:36pm

Thandie Newton would be something as Deena if she can sing.

Posted: 10/13/06 at 6:40pm

Effie: Alicia Keys
Deena: Shanice
Lorrell: Maya Rudolph
Curtis: Jesse L. Martin
Jimmy: Cleavant Derricks
C.C.: Norm Lewis
Marty: Keith David

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 9:11pm

You're right, BSoBW2.


http://www.playbill.com/celebritybuzz/article/102061.html

Q: When did you start performing?
Jenkins: Professionally, I would say I started performing [when I was] about 20. I had just left Temple University, and I [was] on the train going back from New York to Philly, [and] I found this audition in the paper for a revue in Bermuda. And, I went in and auditioned and got it. And, from there, I just started working with that producer doing resort kind of shows. I did that for a couple years, and then my first bus-and-truck was Dreamgirls.

Q: What role did you play?
Jenkins: I played Effie. It was a bus-and-truck [tour], and it was fantastic. I had the best time.