DREAMGIRLS in Philly...Broadway transfer?

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 1/24/06 at 1:36pm

From Playbill.com:

"Prince Music Theater's new production of Henry Krieger and Tom Eyen's Dreamgirls, which was to have a limited life Dec. 3-31, 2005, will be extended for a third time — to Feb. 26.

Commercial producers have been circling the Philadelphia staging, Playbill.com has learned"

[cheezedoodle]

Posted: 1/24/06 at 1:39pm

I would love to see a Broadway revival of Dreamgirls - but with the movie coming up I don't know if now would be the best time. I hear the Philly production is magnificent too.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 1/24/06 at 1:52pm

Is it the director's own take on the show, or is it based on Michael Bennett's direction?

[Pippin]

Posted: 1/24/06 at 2:29pm

Richard Parison, the director calls it a "chamber version of the broadway production". so it is based on Bennett's piece (i never saw the broadway show) i guess, but with Richard's take on it.

[BSoBW3]

Posted: 1/24/06 at 4:06pm

I really want to see this...and now that it has been extended...

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 1/24/06 at 4:26pm

Yeah umm the direction's a hot mess. The production's not bad though. I wouldn't call it amazing, but it's not bad. I doubt this productiion will go to Broadway. It may go other places regionally though. Who knows. I just hope the extention actually makes money (the ticket sales aren't that great for it).

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 1/24/06 at 4:49pm

With it's bus-and-truck production values, the Bennett estate would never allow that production near Broadway. It's apparently even more stripped down that the 1987 revival (which was the main national touring production which had been overseen by Bennett when he was alive). I'm betting John Breglio (executor of the Bennett estate) would only allow a first class (probably $8-10+ million) revival of the show happen on Broadway. Not to mention, he's busy producing the ACL revival for later in the year and wouldn't have time to oversee this production the way he would like. I've also heard rumors, he tentatively plans on reviving the show himself anyway, probably a season or two after ACL is up and running.

Updated On: 1/24/06 at 04:49 PM

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 1/24/06 at 4:55pm

If you scroll down that article a little further, here's what it has to say about commercial producer interest:

"Playbill.com learned outside producers are inquiring about plucking up the not-for-profit staging and presenting it elsewhere in a commercial scenario (including possible Las Vegas and Atlantic City engagements)."

In other words, NOT BROADWAY.

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 1/24/06 at 5:43pm

I would agree with Margo on this. There's little to no chance of this version showing up "as is" on Broadway. While the casting and costumes are top notch; the direction, choeg. are adequate at best and the bare bones staging are not Broadway caliber.

This year's best show for the Prince by far would not make the grade in NY. imo.

[jimmirae]

Posted: 1/24/06 at 6:03pm

I walked out of the 1987 Revival - It was like the skeleton of "Dreamgirls". I was warned though, The night it opened I was dining at "Curtains Up" and saw a few with playbills, they told me "Don't bother, It's the budget production", but alas, I couldn't resist. The Ambassador is one of my least favorite houses too.