Broadway Star Joined: 2/21/04
If and when the Dreamgirls revival happens, I hope Amber Riley plays Effie but I’m curious to see who will play Deena. The girl in the London version had a weak voice.
Name your potentials.
Mine:
Mya
Tamyra Gray
Jade Novah
i’ve been saying for about 5 years it should be Amber Riley and Patina Miller. that for me would be a dream come true.
for Lorrell i’d love someone like Adrienne Warren or for someone a little less well known Samantha Ware i think could be terrific.
Swing Joined: 12/21/17
Chorus Member Joined: 11/9/13
Asmeret Ghebremichael SLAYS Lorrell in London. I can't imagine anyone else more perfect for the role, assuming she wants to transfer.
tirecage said: "Asmeret Ghebremichael SLAYS Lorrellin London. I can't imagine anyone else more perfect for the role, assuming she wants to transfer."
i thought she seemed a little pitchy and weak on the cast album, was she usually better?
Chorus Member Joined: 11/9/13
Saw her live last week, and her vocals were incredible, She captures the range of Lorrell's emotions so effortlessly. Check her out in London if you can!
I don’t believe Asmeret is on the album, as she is a replacement in this production.
I hope this is happening because we have one musical revival set for next season and I really enjoyed this production. Amber Riley could very much win the Tony next season. I hope something is announced soon!
i’m sorry i misread that post, for some reason i thought they were speaking of the actress that played Deena in london. my apologies!
If Zendaya ever wanted to come to Broadway, she’d be great.
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/18/17
How about a Wiz Live reunion with Shanice Williams playing Lorrell
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/16/06
If Amber doesn’t do Effie I really hope they cast Jai'Len Christine Li Josey from Spongebob.
NOWaWarning said: "If Zendaya ever wanted to come to Broadway, she’d be great."
Yes, that is effective stunt casting.
Brenynn Lark, the current Deena in London should be Deena on Broadway. She is sensational. Leagues better than the original London Deena who I hope is nowhere near the Broadway transfer.
smidge said: "If Amber doesn’t do Effie I really hope they cast Jai'Len Christine Li Josey from Spongebob."
I can definitely see her as a part of this production. I’m hearing that she was offered the spot that Moya ended up filling in London, but opted to be in the OBC of Spongebob instead.
gypsy101 said: “for Lorrell i’d love someone like Adrienne Warren or for someone a little less well known Samantha Ware i think could be terrific."
I saw Adrienne in the 09 Tour and I would love for her to do it as well, but I think that Tina is going to conflict with being in the original cast on Broadway. With that being said, her star is rising and I don’t think she’d replace in a role she’s already played. Samantha Ware is a great idea.
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/18/17
SchuylWERKsister said: "NOWaWarning said: "If Zendaya ever wanted to come to Broadway, she’d be great."
Yes, that is effective stunt casting.
Brenynn Lark, the current Deena in London should be Deena on Broadway. She is sensational. Leagues better than the original London Deena who I hope is nowhere near the Broadway transfer.
smidge said: "If Amber doesn’t do Effie I really hope they cast Jai'Len Christine Li Josey from Spongebob."
I can definitely see her as a part of this production. I’m hearing that she was offered the spot that Moya ended up filling in London, but opted to be in the OBC of Spongebob instead.
gypsy101 said: “for Lorrell i’d love someone like Adrienne Warren or for someone a little less well known Samantha Ware i think could be terrific."
I saw Adrienne in the 09 Tour andI would love for herto do it as well, but I think that Tina is going to conflict with being in theoriginal cast on Broadway. With that being said, herstar is rising and I don’t think she’d replace in a role she’s already played. Samantha Ware is a great idea."
I saw Adrienne too but isn't she too old to be Lorell again
BwayLB said: "I saw Adrienne too but isn't she too old to be Lorell again"
I believe Adrienne is in her very early 30s because she booked Lorell on tour soon after graduating. That would make her younger than Asmeret the current Lorell in London and I know for fact that she is significantly younger than Moya Angela who was her Effie on tour and is currently playing the role in London. Deena, Effie, and Lorell are all around the same age so in short, no.
Leading Actor Joined: 1/9/18
smidge said: "If Amber doesn’t do Effie I really hope they cast Jai'Len Christine Li Josey from Spongebob."
If she doesn’t sleepwalk through it as she did at the Spongebob matinee I saw.
Leading Actor Joined: 1/9/18
smidge said: "If Amber doesn’t do Effie I really hope they cast Jai'Len Christine Li Josey from Spongebob."
If she doesn’t sleepwalk through it as she did at the Spongebob matinee I saw.
I would love to see Hailey Kilgore as Lorell & Renee Elise Goldsberry, or if she reads too old, Ariana DeBose as Deena
Leading Actor Joined: 12/31/69
If Dreamgirls ever comes back to Broadway, I hope its with the original staging, sets and costumes. The London version just plain sucks. Garish. Busted wigs, too many Swarovski crystals and ugly sets and costumes. As for Deena, in London Liisi LaFontaine always sounds like shes on the verge of tears vocally, so I hope they don't bring her over.
Understudy Joined: 12/20/15
Lord Jesus. Y'all aren't familiar with enough Black Broadway women to have this conversation. Did you actually say Mya? Adrienne Warren is headlining as Tina dang Turner, Ariana as friggin Donna Summer, and you want them to take career steps Backwards to play... Deena? Renee would NEVER. She's 3 years from 50, come on!
Here's a short list of some Black Girls for y'all to google for Deena: Felicia Boswell, Ashley Ware-Jenkins, Amber Iman, Aisha Jackson, Rashidra Mhlanga, Syndee Winters, Jennie Harney... Start there.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/16/06
LaneBryant said: "Lord Jesus. Y'all aren't familiar with enough Black Broadway women to have this conversation.Did you actually say Mya? Adrienne Warren is headlining as Tina dang Turner, Ariana as friggin Donna Summer, and you want them to take career steps Backwards to play... Deena? Renee would NEVER. She's 3 years from 50, come on!
Here's a short list ofsome Black Girls for y'all to google for Deena: Felicia Boswell, Ashley Ware-Jenkins, Amber Iman, Aisha Jackson, Rashidra Mhlanga, Syndee Winters, Jennie Harney... Start there."
I think some people believe they need a name for Deena. You don't. You need performers who can do this show correctly. And Mya is pushing 40 herself.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
Maybe Emmy Raver Lampman?
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