Dreamgirls Movie/Stage plot question (James Thunder Early)

[Adam Chris]

Posted: 5/19/08 at 6:03pm

Hello. I have never seen Dreamgirls on stage so my only exposure has been the movie.

Does Jimmy Early die of a drug overdose in the stage production or was that only in the movie?

Thanks!
AC
Updated On: 5/19/08 at 06:03 PM

[it'sjustshowbiz]

Posted: 5/19/08 at 6:14pm

No, he does not die in the show.

[Adam Chris]

Posted: 5/19/08 at 6:24pm

Thanks!

So, in the stage version the last time we see or hear from Jimmy is when his relationship ends with Lorrell, right?

[it'sjustshowbiz]

Posted: 5/19/08 at 6:43pm

Yep! :)

[Adam Chris]

Posted: 5/20/08 at 10:43am

thanks.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 5/20/08 at 11:18am

I believe Jimmy's death was written into the movie so that Loretta Devine had a reason to sing "I Miss You, Old Friend". (Probably more like they needed a clean exit for Eddie Murphy, because in the Broadway show Jimmy sort of just disappears. But the Loretta Devine excuse sounds better.)

Updated On: 5/20/08 at 11:18 AM

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 5/20/08 at 11:28am

It was one of the few changes the movie made for the better, I thought.

In the stage show Jimmy does appear at the end when the Dreams sing their final song.

[morosco]

Posted: 5/20/08 at 11:35am

In the stage show Jimmy does appear at the end when the Dreams sing their final song.

Whaaa?? Certainly not in the original production.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 5/20/08 at 11:37am

He's not to the side with Curtis when Deena indicates that all of their family is here with them tonight?
Updated On: 5/20/08 at 11:37 AM

[morosco]

Posted: 5/20/08 at 11:38am

I could be wrong but I don't think so.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 5/20/08 at 11:39am

It's the same with me. I thought that's how it was, but maybe I'm mistaken.

I do know that when I saw it in Atlanta in 2002 he was, and that was based on the original staging. That's not to say they followed it to the letter (which I know they didn't).

Eh, so I don't know.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 5/20/08 at 11:49am

In the stage-version, Jimmy's last scene is after the "Lorrell Loves Jimmy" bit. He makes his remarks to Curtis, storms out and that's the last we ever see of him. When the Dreams sing "Hard to Say Goodbye" and reunite with Effie for "Dreamgirls" (Reprise) -- no one else is on stage with them: no Curtis, no Jimmy, no one... they are alone on stage even as the curtain comes down ending Act 2.

[morosco]

Posted: 5/20/08 at 11:50am

Didn't the Atlanta production also cut "Love Love You Baby" after "...I'm Not Going?". Instead the curtain fell on Effie?

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 5/20/08 at 11:52am

No, they just had the Dreams upstage, which I didn't like but it was better than the awful St Louis Black Rep Production, which DID cut "Love Love You Baby."

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 5/20/08 at 12:02pm

Yup. For the 2002 Atlanta production, Act 1 ended with Effie (Jennifer Holliday) center stage at the dressing room table ending "And I Am Telling You..." all by her lonesome self -- unlike the original Broadway production's staging.

In the original Broadway production, as Effie is singing her last note of "And I Am Telling You...", she is sitting at her dressing room table with her arm reaching out as she is pulled back upstage as the lights slowly fade on her. As she is singing this final note, a shimmery silver curtain drops in front of her and Deena Jones & The Dreams cross it performing "Love Love You, Baby" -- taking Effie's final moment from her as the curtain drops ending Act 2.

For the 2002 Atlanta production, they kept Effie on stage during the entire "And I Am Telling You..." number. As she hits her final note, a scrim behind her shows Deena Jones & The Dreams in silhouette/shadow behind her -- patomiming performing (we never hear what song they are 'performing').

At Miss Holliday's request (and most likely DEMAND), they gave her Effie her moment, unlike the original Broadway production's staging of the number.

Though the 2002 Atlanta production DID recreate Michael Bennett's staging and choreography, several little touches here and there were added.

[morosco]

Posted: 5/20/08 at 12:08pm

Though the 2002 Atlanta production DID recreate Michael Bennett's staging and choreography, several little touches here and there were added.

If Bennett were alive I'd imagine he would have requested that they "immediately remove the improvements". lol

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 5/20/08 at 12:08pm

For the 2002 Atlanta production, they kept Effie on stage during the entire "And I Am Telling You..." number. As she hits her final note, a scrim behind her shows Deena Jones & The Dreams in silhouette/shadow behind her -- patomiming performing (we never hear what song they are 'performing')

Are you sure? I rememeber the curtain opening in the back, but I swear the annoucement about "Deena Jones and the Dreams" as well as them singing "Love Love You Baby." was heard. I'm almost certain of it.
Updated On: 5/20/08 at 12:08 PM

[Gothampc]

Posted: 5/20/08 at 12:08pm

"At Miss Holliday's request (and most likely DEMAND), they gave her Effie her moment, unlike the original Broadway production's staging of the number."

I bet some people were wishing they stuck with the original idea of Effie not returning for Act 2.

[morosco]

Posted: 5/20/08 at 12:14pm

I bet some people were wishing they stuck with the original idea of Effie not returning for Act 2.

After the short lived first National production of DREAMGIRLS played Los Angeles the show then headed to San Francisco without Jennifer Holliday. The press was grilling Bennett and I'll never forget his response, "...after all, Dreamgirls is not a show about a fat girl and her problems".

OUCH!

[Gothampc]

Posted: 5/20/08 at 12:24pm

""...after all, Dreamgirls is not a show about a fat girl and her problems".

I can't wait for the production that will make the show a dream sequence.

Picture it: fat girl on the couch in her robe and slippers eating potato chips and watching tv. There is a bright light as she turns on the tv and strains of "I'm Looking for Something" can be heard. Suddenly the tv glows and out steps a Lena Horne type character. She beckons to the fat girl and both walk through the tv.

And of course, the ending will have to include the Dreamgirls mega-mix (like they did with Joseph) where the last 15 minutes of the show includes a 2 minute each recap of every song in the show.

Updated On: 5/20/08 at 12:24 PM