A Preview of the Casting for Dreamgirls in Atlanta with Jennifer Holliday

[atlsuperstar]

Posted: 6/14/07 at 10:48pm

This is the cast for the Dreamgirls in Atlanta: Deena(Cindy Herron) of EnVogue, Lorrell(Brandi Chavonne Massey)Elphaba in "Wicked", Michelle(Nicole Alesi), James T. Early(Eugene Fleming), C.C.White(Destan Owens) Collins in "Rent", Curtis(David Jennings)Curtis in Frenchie "Dreamgirls".

I am really happy to see Brandi finally playing this role..I can't wait to hear her "Ain't No Party". Not sure about the EnVogue girl..but I guess the cast could change but right now this is it! Very excited! What are your thoughts about Jennifer doing the role again?

[BigFatBlonde]

Posted: 6/14/07 at 10:56pm

I'm conflicted

The practical side of me says a job is a job. Go for it.

But the Holiday fan in me wants Jennifer to move and let go.

Effie isn't a role like Dolly or Mame that can be played at a "vague" age.

Still... there is whole generation of people who will be able to say they saw Holiday in the role...

See what I mean? Conflicted.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 6/14/07 at 11:00pm

Seen her do it in Atlanta several years ago. She's a better actress now than back in 1982. Loved how she had the staging of the ending of Act 1 altered to keep her Effie on stage as the curtain drops instead of having her pulled back as The Dreams walking across her (as in the original).

Jennifer. Jennifer. Jennifer.

Time to let Effie go. We all have.

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 6/14/07 at 11:02pm

i honestly think its a bit embarrassing

shes far to old, move on already.

Shes only doing this because hudson got so much praise and she wants to keep a tight grip on the one and only role she had.

just my opinion

[atlsuperstar]

Posted: 6/14/07 at 11:10pm

BrodyFosse I have to agree...the staging of the end of Act I was pretty funny to me. The Dreams are actually in the back of her the whole time. I prefer the original ending myself with them prancing across the front of the stage. I saw it in O2 and not seeing her in this role before I have to say that she was more than amazing. Although she does seem old..she still plays the role very well! "I Am Changing" also seemed to be a little different maybe longer and more ad-libs.

Although it is time for her to hang it up..she doesn't want to let it go. I agree she is ONLY doing this because of Ms. Hudson but judging from her 02 performance...SHE STILL GOT IT!

[kyleorlando]

Posted: 6/14/07 at 11:21pm

I was there for the Atlanta Theatre of the Stars production of Dreamgirls about ten years ago with la Holliday playing Effie. Franly she was not believable in the role until Act 2.

The first time I saw Dreamgirls was a national tour and Tracy Chapman (from The Lion King) was the understudy that night and she was excellent.

There are plenty of big beautiful women out there that can play this role. Give one of them a chance and bring in some skinny name to star as Deena.

[antonijan]

Posted: 6/15/07 at 3:17am

I wonder if it's gonna be the 90 minute version :P

[HotBoxMC]

Posted: 6/18/07 at 4:29pm

Who the hell is Nicole Alesi? She better be FIERCE!!

[Kringas]

Posted: 6/18/07 at 4:37pm

Lord.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 6/18/07 at 6:12pm

Part of me really wants to see this because the only exposure I've had to this musical is the movie, and I'd love to hear the songs that were cute, etc. Is this show based off the original 80s B'way production or a "new" take on the show? Also, any idea how tickets are? Are there any "cheap" student tickets or rush or anything. I only live two hours away, might be a fun trip.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 6/18/07 at 6:17pm

It's pitiful. The role requires a teenager to age to about 30. Starting with a woman in her 40s is just bizarre, no matter how she takes the roof off. In fact, speaking of DOLLY and MAME, why not do those shows? A new interracial DOLLY with Holiday might let her leave this damned Effie thing behind once and for all. But enough.

[LouieLovesTheater]

Posted: 6/18/07 at 7:31pm

Holliday in Dolly?
Something like this I bet...
"Beforeeeeeeee the puuuuuuuuuuuuuuhhhhhhhrrrrrrrrrraaaaaaaaaaaaaddddddddddduuuhhh....aw..aw..aw............aw. Passes (huge shrieking breath in) biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii. Yeah....owaaaaaaaaaaaa uh huh uhuh uh oooo yeah"

I'd pay to see that =)