Deena Jones the "Dreamgirls" Film Lead? — Page 2

Although that year, both Sheryl and Jennifer were nominated in the Lead Actress category. Of course, Jennifer won.

I find interesting the stories of when the original Supremes saw the show. When Mary Wilson saw it, she said, "Wow I didn't realize people were that interested in the Supremes." When Diana Ross saw it, she left at intermission.

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Updated On: 4/7/06 at 03:05 PM

Does anyone know and remember that thread where everyone was talking about Dreamgirls the Movie might be like? One started a thread about Jennifer Holliday playing Effie's mother in the film and finding out Effie was dying and she was running through the snow to get to her daughter and singing "And I Am Telling You". Does anyone remember this, I thought it was so funny and I wanted to find it again.

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They are already typing the script for Dreamgirls 2: One Night Only.

The story is that Michelle is kidnapped by a crazed fan. In order to get Michelle back, the Dreams must perform together one more time. The crazed fan will be watching from the catwalk. The story highlights how the girls must overcome their egos so that they can perform together to save Michelle. But in rehearsals, they have a diva fight which causes the crazed fan to get mad and send a chandelier crashing to the stage to let them know he means business.

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But Gotham, noone cares about Michelle!

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The one thing I know for sure about Diana Ross and her relationship with "Dreamgirls" is that she sang "Family" during her 1983 Central Park concert...you know, the one where she almost got fried. It makes you wonder how much she could have really hated the show if she were willing to sing something from the score.

Updated On: 4/7/06 at 03:38 PM

"But Gotham, noone cares about Michelle!"

They have to care about Michelle because Effie's mother (played by Jennifer Holliday) comes forward and tells them that Michelle is really Effie's sister. Then Effie's mother breaks into a reprise of "I'm Tellin' You, She's Not Goin'"

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Effie is clearly the lead in Dreamgirls. The story is really about her rise and fall of fame. She gets the two powerhouse solos, she gets most of the lines in the group songs and she gets the diva's bow.

In my opinion, the reason why Sheryl Lee Ralph was nominated for Best Performence by an Actress in a Leading Role (instead of Featured) is because Deena is the one who takes over for Effie- so the plotline of the Dreams revovles around her, even though it's a secondary plot to Effie's story. Curtis is considered a lead, because he is the closest thing to a villan for the show. It also has to do with that Curtis' role in the story is bigger than Jimmy's or C.C.'s- and those two characters are supporting characters in the story without a doubt.

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The newer trailer where they actually list all the leads including Jennifer and Anika is great!

If I'm not mistaken, each of the three get a new song (although Lorelle's may be a duet with Jimmy Early). I'm just glad that the person making this film has actual interest in musicals and has respect for the source material. I think Bill Condon will make changes appropriate for film. At least Effie still gets to sing AITYING versus previous versions which would have transferred the song to Deena (mostly because of the big star wanting to sing the big song *cough *cough *Whitney).

I hate this whole Deena vs. Effie debate. The "queens" have been arguing over this one since the dinosaurs roamed the earth. It's old.

As for me I love all the characters because they are all special. And it's my ALL TIME FAVORITE MUSICAL. I just can't wait for December. Two milestones: The 25th Anniversary of DREAMGIRLS and the premiere of it's long awaited film version!

OH MY GOD, I just saw the new trailer and I was practically jumping in my seat at my job because it looks fantastic. December can not come quick enough for me.

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Well, grit or glamour, I don't recall Ralph or any other Deena getting a standing ovation or stopping the show. Mind you, it's not their fault -- the show isn't set up for that, which is my point. Deena simply CAN'T make the same impression on the audience as Effie does, because she spends much of the time smiling and singing pretty and even in the character's brief private, more introspective moments, she simply isn't given the material that would give her a chance to make even half the dramatic impact of several of Effie's numbers. I'm not saying she and the others don't make any impression, just that it's secondary to Effie's. I honestly don't recall ever walking out after a performance of Dreamgirls and discussing with friends the Deena we just saw at any length -- everything was focused on Effie, the staging, costumes, lighting etc.....

It also doesn't help that so many of the actresses cast as Deena were young pretty girls with sweet little voices and zero personality. Ralph was different, but still IMO her impact was second to Holliday's (and again its not her fault).

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