DREAMGIRLS - Second Act Opener

[Flippancy]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 1:56pm

EDITED: I have it from a very good source that the original second act opener of DREAMGIRLS was changed during the run. According to "my source", it was still the Dreams at the Vegas Hilton, but it was a medley "of sorts" of the Dreams' hits, with a press conference afterwards. When I saw it live, it was a completely different Vegas act, complete with chorus boys and Deena descending from the heavens on the light bridge, and there was no press conference, only a scene with Curtis and C.C. backstage.

Does anyone know the reason why Bennett changed this during the run of the show? Personally, I think the version I saw worked better in the context of the show: it firmly established the "star power" that Deena had obtained through the years. The first version, I thought, was a lot of unnecessary exposition, and didn't really tell you anything you didn't already know (that Effie was out of the group and had disappeared from sight, etc.)

What say you, DREAMGIRLS afficionados?
Updated On: 3/20/06 at 01:56 PM

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 1:57pm

It is against the rules of this site to discuss anything involving a bootleg.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 1:59pm

Blah blah blah.

Re-word your question, delete references to the fact that it's a bootleg, and people will be happy to provide you with an answer, I'm sure.

If I knew the answer, I'd answer it myself now.

[Flippancy]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 2:01pm

Well, Good Lord....Okay, the original question was "edited for content". Now, any takers?

[Smaxie]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 2:07pm

Yeah, the Act Two opener was changed when the L.A. production opened, and Bennett subsequently put it into the Broadway version. He never liked the first version, and I think I even recall reading that he was never entirely satisfied with either version.

Updated On: 3/20/06 at 02:07 PM

[poodleboy]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 2:08pm

From what I remember, when the show open in LA the new second act opener was put in. Soon after it was added to the NY production. I guess he (MB) liked it better.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 2:16pm

There were actually about a half dozen different Act Two openings for the show (I personally saw 4 or 5). Bennett was never happy with it so he kept restaging it throughout the run. The LA version was just one of the variations. One involved them dancing on a giant staircase, another had them and their dancing boys with suitcases (with bumper stickers of the various places they'd been). And there were others.

[Demitri2]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 2:17pm

If I'm not mistaken, Bennett changed the second act opening for the Los Angeles Shubert Theatre debut production of the show. He felt it worked so much better that he incorporated it into the still running Broadway production. As far as why he did it, I imagine he felt the show could be improved upon and after liking the way it played in the west coast production decided to change the NY second act opening too. As to the definitive answer as to "why" he felt this way...I guess you'd have to ask someone who knew or worked with him unless he discussed it in interviews at the time which I'm unaware of.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 2:47pm

From what I remember, the version I saw had a series of moving platforms (not the towers).

Margo, does that sound correct?

Updated On: 3/20/06 at 02:47 PM

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 2:54pm

Yeah, there was one I seem to recall where skycaps pushed them around the stage on moving baggage carts -- or something like that.

[Flahooley]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 2:57pm

I think the L.A version is cleaner, clearer way of getting the info you need accross.

The Original B'way 2nd Act had a lot of stuff thrown at the audience, much intersting but ultimately unnessary.

Also, the OB 2nd Act had a kind of "Hits" medly that was kinda sentimental and kinda fell flat. The LA version had a slick and glossy version of the DREAMGIRLS number that showed how how Denna and the DREAMS were now a little harder and less naive.

Those are my thoughts.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 3:01pm

Which is the version used in the concert?

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 3:03pm

Oh, I meant that the platforms moved up and down. I was amazed at how the actresses seamlessly moved around on them.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 3:10pm

There wasn't a version in the concert, really. The girls just sang a medley of the Dreams hits with a little bit of basic choreography. None of Bennett's staging or choreography was in the concert.

I don't remember platforms moving up and down in any of the versions, but I could just be blanking it out.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 3:13pm

Margo, my recollection of it is very vague, but I noticed that it was missing during the 1987 revival.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 3:20pm

I saw several versions. The very first time I saw the show in 1981 the second act opener was a medly of their "hits" that turned into an odd press conference that turned ugly. Deena pointed out that she was interested in the movies and that "Diana better watch out." Some of the press wanted to know why Effie was kicked out. I can see why Bennet scrapped this one.

I did also see a version of the girls being wheeled around on baggage carts using the same lyrics as the concert version. The girls were lowered from the rafters- VERY cool!!! There were also running/dancing up and down the steps (which also moved by automation) It was thrilling! It was also somewhat Las Vegas and campy with Deena talking about her perfume and buying shoes, etc.

The tour (with Lillias White then Sharon Brown)that made it to Broadway was much more pared down but had a very effective staircase pushed by male dancers using the concert version of the song.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 3:23pm

Deena Jones, thank you. You described what I saw (but couldn't put into words).

[Unknown User]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 3:43pm

My pleasure!