Brantley Reviews London's DREAMGIRLS- Page 2

[silent]

Posted: 5/1/17 at 2:27pm

I hope they find a new Deena for the US transfer. Perhaps Glennis Grace. And why doesn't the show have 2 or 3 Effies as the stars? The role is such that one person is always missing shows. 

Updated On: 5/1/17 at 02:27 PM

[Robbie2]

Posted: 5/1/17 at 9:54pm

QueenAlice said: "I really hope the Hudson stays primarily a house for plays (as it was originally announced the intention would be). I would think producers of DREAMGIRLS would want to put it in a house with more seats (revenue potential). It's a big show.

 

"The Savoy is similar in size to the Hudson

 

[Marlothom]

Posted: 5/1/17 at 10:29pm

I was lucky enough to see this show with Amber when I was in London for work last month and was jet lagged but enamored.  My only quibble was Deena (not sure if I saw an alternate - you know how the West End is with programs and I didn't buy one).  

To me, the show depends on a good Deena not Effie - by this I mean, I've seen half a dozen professional productions of Dreamgirls and I've ALWAYS seen a heavy set, African American woman who delivers in the role of Effie,  Riley is no exception (granted she made some powerful choices).   

I saw Dreamgirls for the first time in the 90s at Papermill and remember the reveal that Deena will be singing lead as a powerful surprise (to me) - she had been a back-up singer up to that point.  Could she really do it?  And then remember the song, Dreamgirls was nice, but nothing special - Deena had a pleasant tone and whenever Effie sang her bits, you could feel the punch and felt angry for her.   It wasn't until the opening of Act 2, with the big production number (if i remember correctly, Deena flew in) that you begin to see that years later, she has become a fully realized diva (not because of her voice, but because of her confidence).  They have travelled the world, she has her own perfume (Devastation!), she commands the stage while the other girls sing back up.    

To me, Dreamgirls loses its impact were Deena is too good, too soon - Beyonce being the worst in this regard.  In London, the Deena I saw belted the end of the song Dreamgirls, it was impressive but again, too good, too fast.  Most productions drastically change/shorten/downgrade the Act 2 opener (they do this in London) and it loses that impact of showing just how big they have become, and how famous Deena is.  The number Heavy was a more impressive number than the Act 2 opener, it should not be the case.  

I hope this transfers, I hope they bring the actor that played Jimmy, and I hope they reconsider bringing back the original Act 2 Opener, I think it plays a critical role in the story.   Finally, I hope they bring back the original reunion song instead of Listen, though this version is far better than then version of Listen that toured in 2009. 

 

 

 

Updated On: 5/1/17 at 10:29 PM

[RippedMan]

Posted: 5/2/17 at 8:11am

I think Casey is just the wrong choice for this production. And curious how/why they chose him? I guess he's the "hot" director at the moment.