Dreamgirls Revival Taking Shape - Hudson to Reprise Effie?

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 4:12am

http://www.nypost.com/seven/01262007/entertainment/oscars/bway_dreamgirls_oscars_michael_riedel.htm

"THE Oscars may have snubbed "Dreamgirls," but Broadway's ready to welcome back one of its most beloved musicals with open arms.

John Breglio, a lawyer who oversees the estate of "Dreamgirls" director and choreographer Michael Bennett, has called a meeting next month to discuss plans for a Broadway revival, said Henry Krieger, the show's composer.

Krieger said it was too early to discuss details about the revival, but theater insiders speculate that Oscar nominee Jennifer Hudson may be asked to reprise the role of Effie on stage.

Hudson, a self-described "theater baby," is said to be eager to do a Broadway show."

[NiteOwl]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 4:37am

i would love to see a full blown revival complete with the mechanical towers and light bridges make it's way back to the great white way.

it would also be great if jennifer hudson got on board to reprise her role especially if she takes home on Oscar for her performance. people would flock to the theatre in droves for a chance to see this girl perform in this show live on stage.

if they don't manage, for whatever reason to get jhud then i hope they choose someone who will do the role justice.

i'm sure this new revival will stick to the original choreography
as it's being sanctioned by the bennett estate. krieger must be beside himself that his music is being revived and re-discovered for a whole new generation!

i hope a NEW broadway cast recording will be considered as well! but my wish is they don't try to interpolate the new songs written for the film. i hope they stick to the original libretto as written.

i hope this happens!!!

GREAT NEWS!

[snl89]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 5:36am

if Jen did Dreamgirls on broadway I would be there in a second FLAT. Omg that would be so amazing!!

[bwy7870]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 5:47am

NOW THATS GREAT CASTING

[SeanMartin]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 6:22am

As much as I loved the original design, I'd love to see what someone else could do to push it beyond the towers and light rails. We have twenty years of thatre technology to draw on; let's not just go back for the sake of going back.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 6:51am

Although I love Hudson and thought she was a knockout Effie, I really hope she doesn't reprise the role on stage.

Jennifer Holliday's career never got off the ground because no one could see her as anything but Effie. She kept coming back and doing "Dreamgirls" (on tour, in a revival, regionally, etc.,) and it became all she ever was. I don't want to see Hudson fall into that same trap.

If she wants to have any longevity in the industry, she needs to expand her horizons and do projects that are varied. Portraying Effie again (no matter how great it may be) just isn't the right move for her.

The next step Hudson takes is a crucial one, and if she wants to be able to do anything but that type of role, it should be a departure from "Dreamgirls."

Updated On: 1/26/07 at 06:51 AM

[D2]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 7:54am

I agree with SeanMartin about the physical production - I'd love to see what could be done now.

I also agree with SomethingWicked. As wonderful as it would be to see Hudson on stage, it may be a better choice for her to move on to something else, like creating a new role in a new musical.

And I can't wait for the reaction from La Holliday about this revival. Should be good for at least seven separate threads...

[MovieGuy1031]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 9:35am

I do LOVE me some Jennifer Hudson (i.e. my signature...), and I would absolutely kill to see her perform Effie on stage... wow, that would be so incredible!!!... but I, too, think that she should move on and create a new role, rather than continue on as Effie and be stuck there forever. People may start to view her as a one-trick pony if she continues on as Ms. White for too long... maybe just a short engagement in the revival of Dreamgirls and then on to something else? I think that would work, and also bring in TONS of ticket sales...

[best12bars]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 10:14am

I think Hudson should concentrate on other things after the Oscar frenzy dies down.

She has a terrific recording deal now, and THAT will be her number one priority (contractually, as well).

I'm sure she will do Broadway someday, and perhaps even soon.

But not Effie and not just yet. It's not a good career move.

[jasobres]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 10:18am

If this does not happen, I'll be damned.

[jv92]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 10:31am

If Hudson is to do the Dreamgirls revival in the future, it'd be pretty damned exiting. I wonder if Jennifer Holliday pickets outside opening night.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 10:32am

If she DOES do it, she just needs to work extra hard on right away going after different roles. She can't rest on this one.

[sweetestsiren]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 10:38am

Yeah, i agree with the people who don't think that it's the best career move for Jennifer to reprise Effie on stage so soon after the film. As great as it would be for us to see her play Effie on stage, she's too talented to get pigeonholed as that character.

[best12bars]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 10:45am

It's the safe and obvious choice.

She's too young to be making "safe and obvious" career choices just now (if ever). It's the quickest way to join the ranks of the banal.

She surprised everyone with her work in Dreamgirls. Even herself. If she continues to surprise us, the sky's the limit. If she does what everyone expects, people will eventually look the other way.

[sweetiedarlinmia]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 10:46am

man what a catch-22! likewise, I would be camped out at the theatre the SECOND it opened with her, but then again don't wanna see her get stuck in everyone's mind as only Effie. She has great things ahead of her, IF she plans her career right & I have a feeling she will.

[sondhead]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 10:57am

if anyone even THINKS Jennifer Hudson would take off 6 months from her brand new hopefully wonderful career to play Effie again they are either dead wrong or think JHud has no sense (or at least a baaaad manager/agent).

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 10:59am

She is an American Idol contestant. Of course she's going to have an impulse toward the "safe and obvious." She has been told again and again that that's what sells.

[Josephine2]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 11:01am

I would love to see a stage revival of Dreamgirls. I was too young to see the original production, and would love the opportunity to see this show on Broadway. Hudson would be amazing. I also think they could get some wonderful performers for the other roles.

[sondhead]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 11:03am

It'd certainly have to be a TALL cast! JHud is 5'9" which is ginormous as far as Broadway ladies go.

[Josephine2]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 11:05am

^^That's even better! We need some more "tall" shows on Broadway.

[theaterdude87]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 11:09am

Not only would be be great casting but the show would be phenomenal. J-Holiday will be mad because she cannot do it again.

[best12bars]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 11:10am

"She is an American Idol contestant. Of course she's going to have an impulse toward the "safe and obvious." She has been told again and again that that's what sells."


Well, hopefully she has put the Ted Mack Amateur Hour behind her now.

[silent]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 1:14pm

If this happens, I want to see Deborah Cox as Deena Jones. This would be the perfect avenue to bring her back to Broadway!

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 1:21pm

She wont do it, and she shouldnt...do another film asap, and release an album...make some cash while you can, baby.
Broadway aint goin anywhere.

I believe this is a stunt to attract more investors.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 1:26pm

I have a feeling that Cox is too much of a powerhouse vocally to play Deena and probably wouldn't be too happy having to scale her voice back so much in order to make the part work in the show (remember "Listen" isn't in the stage version). Also, given the size of the cast and the cost it's going to take to mount the show (at least $10 million), I doubt that Breglio is going to be paying for any "names" to play any of the roles (other than if Hudson agrees to play Effie) and anyone cast in the principal roles is going to have to happy making just a little more than the Equity minimum.