Beyonce, Usher and Now Murphy in DREAMGIRLS?

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 6/13/05 at 4:30pm

I'm sure this has been discussed but is anyone else scared about how this casting is going?
I loved GODS and MONSTERS, but I wish someone more Musical Theatre Oriented was involved!

[MagicToDo82]

Posted: 6/13/05 at 4:34pm

I'm not worried about Beyonce and Eddie. Usher terrifies me. I'm envisioning the guy spending the whole movie trying to dance like Michael Jackson and showing off his abs. Not to mention the uptempo dance version of "Family," and the Usher&Beyonce rumors.

NOT looking forward to it.

[Marquise]

Posted: 6/13/05 at 4:34pm

Has Murphy been confirmed? I've just heard he's a candidate for the role.
As far as being musical is concerned, although Usher and Beyoncé haven't graced the Broadway stage they have graced many stages the world over. They have sold millions of albums and have very strong singing careers. They are musical in that sense. And anyway, there playing pop stars, which isn;t much of a stretch, they have what is required for the roles they are being asked to play. This isn't a musical version of "War and Peace" it's "Dreamgirls" for goodness sake.

Stop making nonsense up in your heads people, Jeezuz.


Updated On: 6/13/05 at 04:34 PM

[MagicToDo82]

Posted: 6/13/05 at 4:39pm

Marquise~

Murphy is confirmed.

and I'll make up whatever I want in my head, thank you very much:) I LOVE Dreamgirls, it's a fabulous show, and I'm sure the movie will be great. If people can speculate about the Wicked movie (which isn't even any sort of official yet) I can speculate about the movie.

Like I said, I'm fine with Beyonce - she's perfect casting. And Usher isn't playing a popstar.:)

Hugs
MTD82
BroadwayWorld article

[Marquise]

Posted: 6/13/05 at 4:39pm

I'm sure the film will do well without your purchased ticket "MagicToDo82".

[Marquise]

Posted: 6/13/05 at 4:41pm

Fine Usher isn't playing a pop star. But he sings in it and he has a great singing voice for that part. He'll be fine.

And speculation is one thing. Pure nonsense is another.
Updated On: 6/13/05 at 04:41 PM

[CapnHook]

Posted: 6/13/05 at 4:41pm

Several innaccuracies in the BWW article. David Geffan produced the original 1981 production.

And Usher has not signed on yet, he is still in negotiations.

Beyonce, Foxx, and now Murphy are signed. Usher in negotiations. Casting search for Effie & Lorrell.

[GovernorSlaton]

Posted: 6/13/05 at 4:41pm

As Margo said, the movie is going to rest on the shoulders of whoever is going to play Effie. Effie needs to have an enormous voice and a tremendous presence. Everything else will most likely fall into place with the right Effie. That being said, I'm sure Condon can bring out good performances in all of his "star" actors.

[MagicToDo82]

Posted: 6/13/05 at 4:42pm

Where did I say I wasn't going to purchase a ticket? Was it "I LOVE Dreamgirls, it's a fabulous show" or in "I'm sure the movie will be great?"

My reservations about Usher aren't going to stop me from seeing it.

Breathe:)It's only a movie.

Too bad we don't get along, I really love your avatar.

[MagicToDo82]

Posted: 6/13/05 at 4:43pm

And Jamie Foxx is going to be an amazing Curtis. I can't wait to see his "Steppin to the Bad Side."

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 6/13/05 at 4:47pm

Actually the Shuberts were the lead producers of the 1981 production, along with Bennett, Avian, and Geffen (who's main contribution was contributing money to the initial capitalization so that his Geffen Records had the rights to record and distribute the OBC album).

Updated On: 6/13/05 at 04:47 PM

[Marquise]

Posted: 6/13/05 at 4:49pm

We get along MagicToDo...

Just because I have a difference in opinion on one thing doesn't mean I dislike you...

I'm sure we share some common interests.

That's the problem with some people onthe board, if they disagree on just ONE thing then they just flat out refuse to get along with someone.

That's not me. So please don't take what I wrote the wrong way.

And thanks for the compliment on my avatar,

I just noticed the new flash up above that Murphy has been cast as "James Thunder Early"...I hope he has the vocal chops for that role.

That one I'm iffy about.

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 6/13/05 at 4:51pm

I think Murpphy could play the role really well, but of course...who knows what he's capable of vocally.

I'm with Magic as far as Beyoncé and Usher. Beyoncé....sure, why not? But Usher...a little worried about that.

I'm sure Foxx will be awesome. Does anyone think Taye Diggs could be C.C.?

[MagicToDo82]

Posted: 6/13/05 at 4:52pm

Good thing Marquise - because I like the people on this board who have differences in opinion. And I was determined to like you anyway. [STUNNING avatar. Anyone with that pic can't be all bad.] I'm terribly sorry if my non-fandom of Usher caused some confusion. Dreamgirls is an amazing show, and if they stick to the basic outline and script/score my fears about Usher shouldn't even be an issue.

And re: Murphy's vocal chops...Let us for forget the utter brilliance that is "Party all the time.":)

[Marquise]

Posted: 6/13/05 at 4:56pm

"Dreamgirls" is an amazing show. I originally wanted someone like Taye Diggs as "C.C."

I haven't heard Eddie Murphy sing lately so I have no clue how he would do with the following songs:

"Fake Your Way To The Top"
"Steppin' To The Bad Side II"
"I Want You"
and
"The Rap"

which are four of his biggest numbers in the show.

[MagicToDo82]

Posted: 6/13/05 at 4:58pm

Taye Diggs really SHOULD be included somewhere. He's too beautiful to not be in the movie.

Was there some movie where Eddie Murphy did a James Brown impression? "Coming to America" perhaps? I could swear I've seen him do that schtick before.

[GovernorSlaton]

Posted: 6/13/05 at 4:59pm

Aw, I wanted to be the first to mention "Party All the Time".

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 6/13/05 at 5:00pm

His James Brown and Stevie Wonder imitations on SNL were pretty decent. He has a voice -- not a GREAT voice, but he should be fine. He'll certainly capture Jimmy's humor as well as anyone could. It's not unlike when David Alan Grier played Jimmy during the original run -- a great comedian, a decent dancer and, as someone adept at mimicking soul singers, he carried the songs well.

Murphy can certainly carry a tune (he must have been OK in his auditions with Condon) and as long as he can do that "barking" punctuated James Brown style (and he's shown he can in the past), he should be good.

Updated On: 6/13/05 at 05:00 PM

[timote316]

Posted: 6/13/05 at 5:01pm

I'm somewhat confident they wouldn't cast Murphy if he couldn't sing the part. If he can't sing it, I'm sure they'll make it sound like he can, be it by dubbing or whatever.

[MagicToDo82]

Posted: 6/13/05 at 5:03pm

David Alan Grier played Jimmy? Wow. I never knew that.

Further proof that Margo is a treasure trove of information.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 6/13/05 at 5:06pm

Grier was HYSTERICAL. A friend of mine who was playing Effie in the show at the time called him the funniest man she ever met. She told me stories about him cracking them up backstage and in the wings and how it took every ounce of professionalism to keep a straight face with him on stage.

[Marquise]

Posted: 6/13/05 at 5:17pm

Thats right Murphy did do his James Brown soul singer shtick on SNL.

I forgot that Grier played "Jimmy" once.

USELESS TRIVIA 101:
David Alan Grier and Murphy worked together in "Boomerang".

[Marquise]

Posted: 6/13/05 at 5:19pm

talking about stunt casting within the film.
wouldn't it be cool if in the scene within the song "cadillac car" where deena is calling her mother to beg her to let her go on the road that they cut away to none other than sheryl lee ralph if only for some reaction shots as deena's mother.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 6/13/05 at 5:22pm

LOVE that idea Marquise.

[parislover87]

Posted: 6/13/05 at 5:52pm

I WANT JENNIFER HUDSON TO PLAY EFFIE!!!! and did anyone hear anything about negotiations with Alicia Keys too?