Dreamgirls Revival?

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 2/20/09 at 1:02pm

The upcoming tour NEEDS to be a full-scale Broadway revival. The movie was such a hit - I think a Broadway revival could be a sure thing, even in this economy. What would your dream cast be? Mine would go a little something like this:

Effie White: Capathia Jenkins
Curtis Taylor Jr.: Marcus Paul James
Deena Jones: Anika Noni Rose
Lorell Robinson: DeQuina Moore
James "Thunder" Early: Billy Porter
C.C. White: Daniel Breaker

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 2/20/09 at 1:22pm

Billy Porter was terrible in the concert. I would hate to see him play Jimmy in an actual production.

[WishingOnlyWounds2]

Posted: 2/20/09 at 1:35pm

I would love to see Jennifer Hudson come to Broadway... I know it probably isn't happening but I'm sure Broadway is something she would love to do.

Chester Gregory the II might be good for Jimmy Early.

Updated On: 2/20/09 at 01:35 PM

[Gothampc]

Posted: 2/20/09 at 2:10pm

I think the question with Jennifer Hudson is does she have a good singing technique? Performing Effie 6-8 times per week is tough. Does she have the vocal stamina to do it?

Updated On: 2/20/09 at 02:10 PM

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 2/20/09 at 2:12pm

Chester's too young for Jimmy.

And I hope to God J-Hud doesn't come to Broadway as Effie. The last thing she needs (or wants) is to get trapped in that role.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 2/20/09 at 2:12pm

I hope the show comes to Broadway soon as well. It would be a definite smash.

And I also hope they cast an unknown as Effie.

[WishingOnlyWounds2]

Posted: 2/20/09 at 2:13pm

I'm not sure they could always have a matinee Effe.

PiraguaGuy2 makes a good point too, she should try other things... I would just love to see her live!

[WishingOnlyWounds2]

Posted: 2/20/09 at 2:14pm

I wonder if Cicily Daniels could handle the role, her Ursula blew me away!

[CSonBroadway]

Posted: 2/20/09 at 2:28pm

J- Hud is deffinetly talented enough...

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 2/20/09 at 2:28pm

Although I imagine this touring cast is going to be largely unknowns, a dream company would be:

Shayna Steele as Effie White
Kingsley Leggs as Curtis Taylor Jr.
Renee Elise Goldsberry as Deena Jones
DeQuina Moore as Lorrell Robinson
Andre Ward as James "Thunder" Early
Brandon Victor Dixon as C.C. White
Carla J. Hargrove as Michelle Morris

Updated On: 2/20/09 at 02:28 PM

[defyingravity11]

Posted: 2/20/09 at 2:36pm

She's too old now, but LaChanze would be a great Effie.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 2/20/09 at 2:38pm

LaChanze (who understudied Deena and Michelle in the 1987 revival) couldn't be more wrong for Effie.

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 2/20/09 at 2:58pm

I would love to see Carpathia Jenkins as Effie!

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 2/20/09 at 3:00pm

Somethingwicked, I'm pretty sure you just cut-and-pasted "The Color Purple"'s IBDB entry.

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 2/20/09 at 3:06pm

Although...if they do need a "name" I wouldn't really mind if Fantasia came on board for the stage version (I just didn't want her in the movie).

I DO like my Effie's to be fat, but I'm sure she could work out just fine.

[WishingOnlyWounds2]

Posted: 2/20/09 at 3:19pm

I'm not going to go into my whole little "calling people fat" rant... but in response to your post Effe needs to be on the obese side as that is one of the main reasons she is let go from the Dreams... Curtis confronts her about that and many other things.

[TheCharleston]

Posted: 2/20/09 at 3:28pm

Capathia is too old.

Needs to be someone new and young and fresh, in my opinion.

Shayna Steele is a GREAT idea but not sure she's "heavy" enough.... has the voice though!

Billy Porter hasn't had a voice for a few years now. He still performs, does regional work, and sings at concerts but is trying his hand at Directing more now.

I highly doubt he'd even be considered for any part, Pirag.

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 2/20/09 at 3:33pm

Fat is just a word...and I have never met a fat people who didn't say that they were fat...but I didn't mean any harm to by it.

However, I think it adds so much to the story if Effie is a "bigger" person. I know there are other reason on why she is fired, but it does add so much to the character.

Also, Capathia is not too old. People always play younger and the stage is the medium that you can play younger easiest.

[CurtisTaylorJr2]

Posted: 2/20/09 at 8:28pm

New faces would be best, known names aren't really necessary, it's the type of show that can draw in crowds with or without big names.

[esparza 333]

Posted: 2/20/09 at 9:03pm

After she finishes Sister Act in London I would love to see Patina Miller tackle Effie. She would blow the roof of that theatre.

[TheCharleston]

Posted: 2/20/09 at 9:04pm

Patina Miller will come overseas, to Broadway, with SISTER ACT. after the London run. yes, it's totally going to happen.

[esparza 333]

Posted: 2/20/09 at 9:05pm

I know that is the thing but you have to admit she would be brilliant.

[TheCharleston]

Posted: 2/20/09 at 9:15pm

Not as Effie.

If you wanted to go down the track of lesser-knowns?

Effie - Shayna Steele

Deena - Antonique Smith

Lorrell - Patina Miller or Sasha Allen


unsure about the males. Perhaps Tevin Campbell for C.C., Chester Gregory for James Thunder.

Can't think of anyone good for Curtis or Marty. Perhaps Michael McElroy could do Marty??

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 2/20/09 at 9:18pm

Patina Miller was (alongside Capathia Jenkins and Jennifer Hudson) one of the final three women in contention for Effie in the film version of DREAMGIRLS.

She had several auditions for Bill Condon and the creative staff and was flown to LA for a screen test before eventually losing the role to Hudson.

Updated On: 2/20/09 at 09:18 PM

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 2/20/09 at 9:20pm

Oooh! Patina would be amazing in ANY role!

And Norm Lewis woulda been a great Curtis about 10 years ago, but he's pushing 50. (Yes, I know he did it in concert)