Beyonce as Effie...I THINK NOT

[starryeyedboi]

Posted: 1/27/05 at 8:59pm

I practically fell out of my chair when I read bout the possiblity of beyonce playing Effie? I am starting an online protest against this. There are plenty of actresses of size that can play this incredible role. Now I think Beyonce would make a fabulous Dina...I mean, look at what she did to the other 3 members of Destiny's Child...but I will be damned if some stick with hair plays Ms. Effie White.

More news of the online protest as it comes...Hope you'll Join me!

- ron
___________________________________

"I don't take that talk from no second-rate diva who can't sustain" - Michelle "Dreamgirls"

Posted: 1/27/05 at 9:08pm

You might want to read through this thread - and pay special attention to what Margo has to say about the 'size' of Effie. It really isn't a pre-requisite for the role.

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardname=bway&thread=345050#583240

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 1/27/05 at 9:10pm

Agree with Margo. It is Effie's voice that causes her to loose her spot as the lead singer of the Dreams. Her voice was too soulful for Curtis. He wanted more of a pop sound like Deena.

[Marquise]

Posted: 1/27/05 at 9:10pm

FIRST OF ALL EFFIE DOESN'T NECESSARILY HAVE TO BE A WOMAN OF "SIZE". EFFIE'S WEIGHT PROBLEM IN "DREAMGIRLS" AT THAT PARTICULAR POINT IN THE MUSICAL STEMS FROM THE FACT THAT SHE IS PREGNANT. BEYONCE DIDN'T DO ANYTHING TO THE OTHER MEMBERS OF DESTINY'S CHILD. YOU OBVIOUSLY SPEND TOO MUCH TIME READING THE GARBAGE AT THE SUPERMARKET CHECKOUT COUNTER. THIRD, THE CHARACTER'S NAME IS SPELLED "DEENA" NOT "DINA". FOURTH IF YOU'RE GONNA POST ON BWW WALK IN INFORMED OF THE FACTS OR YOUR SORRY BUTT IS GETTING FLAMED Updated On: 1/27/05 at 09:10 PM

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 1/27/05 at 9:13pm

Woah, Marquise. Here is some Vanessa Williams my man. Easy, easy. Breath.......Breath.......there we go. All Better.

Updated On: 1/27/05 at 09:13 PM

[Thetruth]

Posted: 1/27/05 at 9:15pm

I like it. You gotta get passionate over DG! Even though I personally like my Effie's big.

[Marquise]

Posted: 1/27/05 at 9:15pm

IT'S JUST THAT I HATE SEEING SOMEONE COME ON HERE SO MISINFORMED AND CLUELESS. HE'S PROBABLY NEVER EVEN SEEN A PRODUCTION OF "DREAMGIRLS"....BUT THOUGHTS OF VANESSA JUST CHEERED ME UP...THANK YOU SPIDER!

Posted: 1/27/05 at 9:18pm

Truth - I personally think 'size' adds a dimension that I like - but it still isn't necessary. And reality is, after being one of the frenzied idiots that stood on my seat SCREAMING for Jennifer Holliday, I'm not sure HOW I'm going to react to anyone else in the role!

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 1/27/05 at 9:19pm

No problem, my man. I have never seen a production of it (DAMN IT!!) but I own both the original cast recording as well as the Concert one. I love them both, especially the concert version because everyone in it rocks and I can finally understand what the crap is going on. when I first got the original cast cd, I had a lot of questions but after listening to the GREAT concert recording, all was cleared up.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 1/27/05 at 9:20pm

And to have had the chance to see Jennifer Holliday......God Bless her and those pipes.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 1/27/05 at 9:25pm

This is kind of off-topic but do you know who I would love to hear do a rendition of "And I am Telling You" or "I Am Changing?" Joss Stone. I mean that girl has some SOUL.

Posted: 1/27/05 at 9:26pm

Spider - you may be right, but I'm not sure she has the range. And background in gospel is what comes in handy, not necessarily soul.

[Caleb]

Posted: 1/27/05 at 9:28pm

I think that the issue of weight IS implied in the text. Yes, Effie doesn't have to be obese, but I don't think she can be played by someone of a very healthy weight (and I know it's been done before but hear me out).

When Curtis accuses Effie of gaining weight, YES it's because she's pregnant. But her response is, "I've never been so thin." She's arguing that she has lost weight, that she used to be overweight. I think that clearly implies that she has a history of struggling with her weight. (Not to mention Deena becomes lead because she's pretty and that Effie's dress doesn't fit in the first scene).

Again, I don't think she has to be huge, or maybe not even chubby. But I think it's clear that the character of Effie is DEFINITELY suppose to have or have had weight issues.

[Marquise]

Posted: 1/27/05 at 9:28pm

I LOVE ME SOME JOSS STONE MY BROTHER...I HAVE HER CD...ITS IN HEAVY ROTATION OVER AT MY PLACE...I DO AGREE THAT HAVING A "HEAVY EFFIE" ADDS MORE DIMENSION...THE GIRL COULD BE "HEALTHY",LOL, JUST NOT GROSSLY OVERWEIGHT...ALSO ANYONE STEPPING IN THAT ROLE HAS SOME MIGHT BIG SHOES TO FILL AND A VERY LARGE SHADOW LOOMING OVER HER.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 1/27/05 at 9:29pm

Well, yeah. That's true. Another person who I think would do well singing them is ANGIE STONE.

[Thetruth]

Posted: 1/27/05 at 9:31pm

Well, you do have that added element with size. It can work for or against the production. It can make Effie too sympathetic. But I think most of the time it works for the production because I believe it hits on a level with any man or woman who's had dreams of being a star but didn't fit that cookiecuter mold of what is considered beautiful. There have been so many great performers that have been held back because of it and that's an element thats been present since marketing of popular music and is something we still face today (JLO,Ashanti)


Also, the weight issue is a huge issue within the African-American community, especially with women.

I mean, the Effie's dismissal issue could be dealt with as just creating a new sound, but I think it was about the whole package as well. There were a lot of elements at work and I think their were many reasons for Effie being pushed out of the group ( I like when the Effie has a lot of tude, which helps to explain her exit more)

Posted: 1/27/05 at 9:34pm

I think they should comb every black Southern Baptist church across the country and find some young woman who could rip that role to shreds!

[Thetruth]

Posted: 1/27/05 at 9:35pm

Also, I read somewhere that they kept calling Effie fat throughout the script, and Jennifer broke down and said she couldnt take it anymore and that her and the writers came to the agreement that they could only call her fat once?

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 1/27/05 at 9:35pm

Amen to that. Again, off topic here......but that is what they did in RENT with the "Seasons of Love" soloist. They went to a black church, heard this lady sing, and was like LET'S GO GIRL!!!

[Marquise]

Posted: 1/27/05 at 9:39pm

LOL...DGRANT I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU ON SCOURING THE CHURCHES!!! AND THE TRUTH YOUR POST ABOUT EFFIE AND HER WEIGHT WAS RIGHT ON THE MONEY...

[Thetruth]

Posted: 1/27/05 at 9:44pm

Back to Joss Stone. I don't think she should sing that song because she has very little range. She would be doing way too many runs.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 1/27/05 at 9:49pm

Well after I wrote it, I started thinking that she is an alto and can't hit those high notes with as much power as it needs. But, my second choice, ANGIE STONE. I saw a concert on tv with her on it and she did this song and she made my jaw drop. I mean, WOW!!!

Posted: 1/27/05 at 9:51pm

I just really hope it's not Beyonce. I think they could definitely find someone amazing to do it. I think Beyonce is talented, as a performer, songwriter, and dancer. I just don't think her voice is strong at all. Do you guys think Jennifer Hudson could handle it?

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 1/27/05 at 9:55pm

Yes. LOVE her. After hearing her sing "Easy To Be Hard," I can def. see her playing Effie. What a voice.

Posted: 1/27/05 at 9:57pm

I've never heard her sing that song. She sang it at the Hair concert, right? I thought she was incredible on American Idol, especially on "Weekend in New England."