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

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 3:04pm

Wow. That's even more "diva" than the original production.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 3:05pm

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.

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

[Princeton78]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 3:11pm

But Margo, don't you just love big diva bows?

[ThePinballWizard]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 3:12pm

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.

[CurtisTaylorJr2]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 3:18pm

This is a movie, there has to be some expansion of story. I'm sure Effie will be getting some extra storyline. The leads of the story, IMO are Deena, Curtis and Effie.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 3:26pm

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.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 3:29pm

"Simpsons did it, Simpsons did it!"



(sorry, watched South Park last night)

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 3:33pm

But Gotham, noone cares about Michelle!

[Kringas]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 3:37pm

Well, I can pop in at this point, but Florence Ballard's name has already been mentioned, so I've been rendered useless.

[Brennan88]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 3:38pm

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

[Kringas]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 3:41pm

I've heard the story that Diana Ross walked out at intermission, but some sources (including the "scandalous" Call Her Miss Ross) claim she never saw the show at all.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 3:45pm

"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'"

[NCGuy]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 10:41pm

Some other casting news from Dreamgirls...

John Krasinski (the hottie who plays Jim on The Office) is playing Deena’s film director.

UTA: Just checked out IMDb’s cast list for the film...I love that there’s a character called “Upset White Woman” (wouldn’t you love to be able to say you played “Upset White Woman” in Dreamgirls?).



John Krasinski interview on EW.com Updated On: 4/7/06 at 10:41 PM

[TheaterAddict7652]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 11:09pm

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.

[Pippin]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 1:30pm

the way I think about it is that it is called Dreamgirls. not Dreamgirl.
it is the story of all the girls in the show, but Effie's story happens to have the most emotional pull because she is the underdog and everyone is able to emphasize with an underdog.

all the girls have equal stage time, with the obvious exception of Michelle because she does not enter until the end of Act 1. With that being said, each of their stories are given equal emphasis-

Deena's scene with Curtis,
Lorrel's Scene with Jimmy
Effie's scene with Deena

Effie is, once again the character you feel most for, and she has the powerhouse showcase songs. but as far as workload goes, Deena has more songs to sing as lead by a longshot.

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 1:35pm

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

[LostLeander]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 2:03pm

I agree, Deena just isn't that interesting of a character.
And perhaps, it was originally more Deena focused, but I think it would have made a lesser show. Who can say, though.

I'm not sure how much you can beef up a not that interesting part, and still let Hudson sings two show stoppers, while Deena has... Dreamgirls, Heavy (kind of), the Dreams Medley (Opening of Act II), One Night Only, and it's Hard to Say Goodbye.

God knows all of those songs won't be there. And even if they were, they're big numbers that feature 3, or are about Deena NOT being Effie, or Deena replacing Effie, etc.

I know Beyonce will get a big solo number, but I'm ALWAYS suspicious of added songs. They're never as good.

Poor Anika, though. She's the one I feel bad about. She doesn't even have Ain't No Party anymore?

That's my third favorite number in the show, and I think the second best role in the piece.

[Wildcard]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 2:47pm

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).

[dreamboy2004]

Posted: 7/14/06 at 6:40am

Well from what I've seen in the Featurette of Dreamgirls Effie is still the powerhouse of the group. Jennifer Hudson's scence which I believe is Heavy where she tells Jamie Foxx "You don't need me all you care about is her bony ass" is trully amazing. She seems to have combinded the intimadation of Jennifer Holliday's Effie with Lilias White's sass remarkably. i think the reason why Deena is such an endaring character and can be seen as a lead and get alot of attention is because of who Deena represents. Deena represents Diana Ross and at the time and still to this very day that has generated a bit on controversy. You can look at Jimmy as being a combination of being James Brown, Jackie Wilson, and Little Richard. But when you see Deena you see Diana. I love Effie but Deena is still my favorite character.

[Marquise]

Posted: 7/14/06 at 8:46am

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!

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 7/14/06 at 8:54am

GASP! Is there a new trailer I don't know about?

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 7/14/06 at 9:01am

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.

[best12bars]

Posted: 7/14/06 at 9:11am

I disagree, Margo (and others). Ralph made a very big impression as Deena when I first saw the show, and I have always seen this as a "love triangle" story, between Effie, Curtis and Deena.

Dreamgirls launched Ralph's career every bit as much as Holliday's.

Effie has the grit, and Deena has the glamour. You may be more attracted to the grit than the glamour yourself, but that doesn't mean that everyone is.

EDIT: And Marquise, your comment made me laugh out loud. AMEN!

Updated On: 7/14/06 at 09:11 AM

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 7/14/06 at 10:11am

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).