Dreamgirls Revival Casting Ideas

Just some of my ideas. Please post some of your own. I know it may seem unlikely to get some of these people, but if the movie hits as big as it could, a revival of the show will be even more huge than it would've been already. There's also the fact that the show means a great deal to a lot of black performers. Anyway, I'm sure some people will disagree with some of these choices anyway, but at least it will probably make for a good discussion.

Effie: Tarralyn Ramsey, Kelly Price, Capathia Jenkins, Lauryn Hill
Deena: Renee Elise Goldsberry, Sharon Leal, Paula Patton, Alicia Keys, Tatyana Ali, Mya
Lorrell: Fantasia, Maya Rudolph, Nicole Leach, Shanice, Jurnee Smollett, Nikki James, Deborah Cox
Curtis: Jesse L. Martin, Norm Lewis
Jimmy: Cleavant Derricks, Phillip Michael Thomas
C.C.: Brandon Victor Dixon, Jason Weaver, Marques Houston, Omarion
Marty: Keith David

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Philip Michael Thomas for Jimmy??! Isn't he dead or something -- dead career, whatever?

Carpathia Jenkins for Effie?! Maybe Effie's MOTHER!

Maya Rudolph for Deena would be good.

Oy!

Age isn't the issue -- you have to look 'young' to be a believable Effie.

Carpathia has a matronly look, similar to Sharon Wilkins. They look like 'mommas' not girls.

Carl, if you actually explained why those people wouldn't be good, we might be able to actually discuss it. People seem to have certain ideas locked in their head that they can't get past.

Lauryn Hill has a gospel voice and has acted before. What would be wrong with her?

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Lauryn Hill doesn't have the warmth required for Effie (or at least, I've never seen her show any warmth).

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One big thing to keep in mind about this musical is that a huge amount of it is sung. I don't think you exactly have to be the most amazing actor to perform in it on stage as long as you're a strong singer who can make the audience feel every word.

Anyway, I'd be interested to hear some other casting ideas, especially from someone like Margo who probably has a lot of knowledge about people out there right now who could sing Effie.

By the way, I forgot to mention that I think Stacy Francis would be fantastic as Lorrell.

Also, did anyone see Alicia Keys on Oprah today with her long flowing diva hair? There's a pic or two here. http://www2.oprah.com/index.jhtml

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Does anyone else think that Anika looks more like a young Diana Ross than Beyonce?

With the raves Nikki M. James is getting in The Wiz revival, I highly doubt she'd play Lorrell.

I see Fantasia's name on the list and I'm guessing its more for Lorrell than anything else. That would seem the obvious choice, and while I think she could do Ain't No Party some much needed justice (Heather, luv ya but NO), I don't think she could hit the super high harmony parts required for the group numbers that Lorrell is major part of. That's probably why she auditioned for Effie in the film instead of Lorrell. Hmmm.....................

Thandie Newton would be something as Deena if she can sing.

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You're right, BSoBW2.


http://www.playbill.com/celebritybuzz/article/102061.html

Q: When did you start performing?
Jenkins: Professionally, I would say I started performing [when I was] about 20. I had just left Temple University, and I [was] on the train going back from New York to Philly, [and] I found this audition in the paper for a revue in Bermuda. And, I went in and auditioned and got it. And, from there, I just started working with that producer doing resort kind of shows. I did that for a couple years, and then my first bus-and-truck was Dreamgirls.

Q: What role did you play?
Jenkins: I played Effie. It was a bus-and-truck [tour], and it was fantastic. I had the best time.

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