Dreamgirls In Concert-why NO Holiday?

What IS the actual reason Ms. Holiday was not in this concert and the subsequent cd? I believe I recall Jennifer Holiday saying that she "was not asked," but I could be having a false memory. Does anyone know the genuine reason Jennifer Holiday did not do DREAMGIRLS IN CONCERT.

I saw the original Broadway production with Jennifer Holiday and then with Roz Ryan. I then saw the minimalist revival a few years later on Broadway with Lillias White. A number of years after that I saw a tour with Lynette Dupre.

They were all "better than very good," and for me the role was best "acted" by Ms. White. However, the role was best sung and electrified by Ms. Holiday. Roz Ryan was excellent and her performance was somewhat similar to Holiday's. Ryan actually acted better than Holiday and her singing was greeeeat, but not as great as Holiday. Ms. Ryan also seemed just a tad too long in the tooth for the part, especially following in the footsteps of the then 21 year old Jennifer Holiday. Lynette Dupre's singing shook the theater and she had some fabulous moments as Effie.

However, Clearly for me, the most consistent extraordinary vocal performance I have ever seen or heard of Effie, was Ms. Holiday's. Her acting left much to be desired, but she won the Tony anyway, she deserved it. Her performance was as electric as the original production was technically dazzling.

Lillias White's Effie is NOT AS effective on the DREAMGIRLS IN CONCERT cd as she was performing the part in the musical in the theater. In particular, her "And I am Telling You I'm Not Going," truly disappoints. I recall when I first saw Ms. White do the first revival that she performed this number excellently. I remember thinking that she didn't set the "place on fire" with the number as Ms. Holiday had and as indeed Roz Ryan had, but she was more than excellent and the audience certainly enjoyed her at least as much as I did.
Why wasn't Jennifer Holiday in DREAMGIRLS IN CONCERT? Does anyone know the definitive response? Thanks. :)

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I'm actually glad that she wasn't asked. We've already heard her do it and we have it on record and film. Even though I don't like Lilias White's interpretation (too many improvised notes) it is good to have another interpretation recorded.

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Yeah I think its as simple as she wasn't asked. Seth Rudetsky who put together the concert is close friends with Lillias White. That may have something to do with it.

thanks Robbiej,,,,I am trying to figure out the DEFINITIVE reason Holiday was not asked. If they were thinking fundraising or cd sales, Jennifer Holiday is certainly still a "bigger star name," than Ms. White. Tis a puzzlement. Even if any keychanges were necessary, I suspect this concert and subsequent cd would have been much better critically received, and the cd would most certainly have sold more copies. There are still lots of folks out there who will buy any cd with Jennifer Holiday's name attached to it. Most folks outside of the theaterworld are unfamiliar with Lillias White.

I recall the concert took place shortly after 9/11. And I believe it was a concert done on behalf of a charity, right? I am not positive. But, I certainly am confident that more profits would have been reaped with Jennifer Holiday. Her involvement would have made this much more of an event than it was and etc.

I suspect that someone at the "top" of putting this project together had a reason for "using" Ms. White as opposed to Jennifer Holiday. I am just very curious as to the reason. Obviously, there are at least a couple of people out there who know the DEFINITE answer. Perhaps the person at the "top" of this project had a falling out in the past with Ms. Holiday?????
I am hoping someone on this Board will find the response for me.

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WISH --

You are reading way too much into it. Seth Rudetsky put these concerts together for BCFA. Like anyone who puts together these projects, he calls his friends first. I don't think he had any goal to do a "reunion" concert and I'm pretty sure the CD came as a result of the concert rather then being the cause of the concert.

He hosts "Chatterbox" at Don't Tell Mama's -- you should just go sometime and ask him yourself. He's great fun.

Updated On: 4/5/05 at 02:31 PM

Reading too much into it may be the understatement of the century. Everyone can't do every show. He picked Lilias White. She was great. Yes, Holliday is a bigger name. So is Tom Cruise! WHY DIDN'T HE CAST TOM CRUISE?????

And you are overestimating Jennifer Holiday's name in this day and age, by the way. I don't think she's released an album in 8 years (And that one didn't sell well), and there are STILL people who greet any mention of her name with "IF she shows up" after her many years of unreliability. Of course, she might be laying the ground work for a fabulous come back (Like Effie herself) but till then, I think Jennifer Holliday is pretty much of a has-been.

Updated On: 4/5/05 at 02:40 PM

shes only a has been cause she has not been working?

If Jen was asked i really think she would do it.
she did every show in Atl

Heather Headley actually came across the best of all of them in the theatre. She was hilarious and got the best reviews by a mile.

It is unfortunate that Lillias White's interpretation will be remembered with this concert. Noone was in good voice, including her. The concert was the week of 9/11. I dont remember being able to speak much let alone sing well that week. I believe that one of the men, Billy Porter I think, had to re-record half of his performance. Heather Headly sounds absolutely terrible and in pain much in her upper register, and Lillias is straining by the end of AIATYING.

I saw the original and the revival in the 90s. I loved everything about the original, including Ms. Holiday...but I returned to the revival several times, standing room, to see Ms. White's Effie. I do believe that her AIATTING is angrier than JH's which turns some off.

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Gothampc, I agree with you partly. I love just hearing the stuff done by "different voices." I have two cds of Into The Woods, 3 Sweeneys, six GYPSYS etc.........when I like a score, I love hearing it performed differently. so I am pleased in that respect...it is indeed more of a "new treat" than just revisiting an "old treat." :)

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I recently bought the concert recording, and I think Headley sounds GREAT. I also love Audra Macdonald on this recording.
I agree WHite disappoints in "I'm telling you I'm not Going", but she does do a great job with her other two show stoppers.

I think we need some more of Darius de Haas on Broadway, but that's way off topic.

I don't know if this has been stated but...

WISH
Brenda Braxton, who was in the original cast was also in the concert version. I believe she choreographed it, but I could be wrong.


and Goth...
too many improvised notes? Have you seen the sheet music to "And I'm Telling You"? Holiday improvises practically the whole song...I think you're just used to her renditions of it.

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Seth was having fun with his friends, but he messed over that show. There is now way Heather Headley should've played Lorell. "Aint No Party" is excruciating. Don't even get me started on Tamara Tunie either. He called up his friends first? He needed to call the ones that could sing the right parts...
The only reason myself and many others support this recording is because the entire score has never been available. Had the OBC participated, the show would've been historical. I love Lilias, Audra, and Heather...but everybody wants to see the OBC. I hope they get a chance to get together for the next reunion.