Dreamgirls Revival Taking Shape - Hudson to Reprise Effie?- Page 2

[CurtisTaylorJr2]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 1:30pm

I think Sharon Leal would be a good Deena

[JustinRZB]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 1:32pm

Maybe the revival will go the way of recent Grease revivals and incorporate the new songs into the show...

Especially if they plan to use the movie as a marketing tool.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 1:33pm

My vote for Deena would go to Renee Elise Goldsbery. The woman is a fantastic talent, and has the right voice, presence, and appeal for the role.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 1:38pm

Nope. Composer Henry Krieger has already said that the only way he'd consider changes is if they were approved by the entire original team and since Tom Eyen (original bookwriter and lyricist) and Michael Bennett are dead, the songs from the film will never be incorporated into the stage show. On top of that, John Breglio -- executor of the Bennett estate and producer of the ACL revival and any future Dreamgirls revival -- is fiercely protective of Bennett's legacy and would NEVER allow the original stage versions of either ACL or DREAMGIRLS to be tampered with. Not even slightly.

[defyingravity11]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 1:42pm

I really hope that they don't add the songs composed for the movie. It seems like they would just slow the pace of the show. Anyways, how likely is it that they'll do the revival like A Chorus Line or Les Miz?

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 1:49pm

As I said, the film songs WON'T be added to the stage version. Never Happen. Period.

And expect any Dreamgirls revival to be an exact replica of the original stage version -- or at least the last version of the show that Bennett himself personally supervised. He tinkered with the staging throughout the original Broadway run and restaged several numbers entirely for the LA premiere of the show in 1983 that he later incorporated into the Broadway production which was still running at the time. The next Broadway revival will probably be a carbon copy of the 1983 version.

Updated On: 1/26/07 at 01:49 PM

[theaterdude87]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 2:18pm

Just a though...don't bite my head off but LaChanze as Deena and Corey Reynolds or Chester Gregory II as C.C. White....just a thought.

[CurtisTaylorJr2]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 2:20pm

LaChanze just might work as Deena.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 2:28pm

LaChanze understudied Deena (and Michelle) in the 1987 revival of the show.

However, after winning a Tony for "The Color Purple" last year, don't expect her to return to Broadway in such an ensemble piece. Not to mention the fact that she may be a bit long in the tooth for it now..

Updated On: 1/26/07 at 02:28 PM

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 2:29pm

LaChanze is way too old at this point. Heck, she understudied Deena in the last revival 20 years ago.

Updated On: 1/26/07 at 02:29 PM

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 2:29pm

I highly doubt the Bennett estate will allow any textual or musical changes to the show. Good for them, I say. The film songs have no sonic place on stage.

[sondhead]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 2:54pm

"I think Sharon Leal would be a good Deena"

I loved the movie, but she was pretty terrible in it. I hope no one considers this if there is a revival.

The surprise that a carbon copy revival is imminent is odd to me. What's weird are these re-think revivals of late. The carbon copy revival in Broadway history is much more common. Especially with a show like Dreamgirls, why wouldn't you do it this way? Brilliant staging and it's hard to do regionally given the demands of the cast, so unlike Chorus Line you're not paying $100 to see a production you could easily see regionally for half the money.

Of course, I like the Chorus Line revival. I'd pay $100 to see a really good production of ACL regardless of its regional life.

Bennett is back! Now let's see an actual revival of Promises Promises. I know it's not as Bennett-full but the book is hilarious and the score is enjoyable. Do it!!!

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 3:10pm

I believe both Anika Noni Rose and Sharon Leal are good choices for Deena, though Rose's voice is probably too "soulful" for Deena.

[MovieGuy1031]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 3:20pm

Renee Elise Goldsberry for Deena, all the way.

Why wouldn't they consider Anika for Lorell in the revival? She won a friggin' Tony, and I thought she was outstanding in the movie and surpassed Beyonce...

And, obviously, J-Hud for Effie! If J-Hud turns it down, I hope it goes to a superbly talented person who ISN'T affiliated in any way with American Idol (a.k.a. Frenchie... ick.)

Posted: 1/26/07 at 4:07pm

GOLDSBERRY FOR DEENA 2008!

But ya, I can totally see Anika being the only one to transfer from movie back to Broadway, since that's where she got her start anyway. Would still love to see JHud of course, but it IS a catch-22.

I really would love to see JHud in the original costumes tho, and singing things like "when I like a man's eyes!"

And come to think of it I really hope Anika does it so we can finally hear her take on "Ain't No Party!" That will rock.

[NiteOwl]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 4:23pm

Renee Elise as Deena? she doesn't strike me as the Deena-type at all.
i think she's all wrong for the role.
and i wouldn't want to see anika do this on the stage.
and the more i think about it maybe it's a good idea if jhud doesn't do this ~ career wise.
and the movie songs should definitely stay where they are ~ in the movie.
i'm glad breglio is so protective of bennett's estate.

[atlsuperstar]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 4:31pm

I would have to agree...although jennifer coming to broadway would be great..I don't think it would be a good move! But I think for this to run off as a GOOD revival and not make the same mistake like the last one. They have got to get some good talent in there! I think Brandi Chavonne Massey would be a great Deena from Wicked! Also you have Kissy Simmons in THE LION KING!
Updated On: 1/28/07 at 04:31 PM

[TonyaFanatic]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 4:41pm

Jennifer shouldn't do it. It would probably be a bad career move. I personally believe she should do a film that has nothing to do with music at all.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 4:51pm

I agree. Hudson should do a non-musical film role -- drama or comedy -- and focus on touring her solo album. She really has nothing to gain career-wise by committing to doing a long Broadway run of DREAMGIRLS.

[ozone20]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 5:01pm

The ONLY role Anika should be considered for in the revival is DEENA. she was ok in the film as lorell but Lorell on stage needs to have more vocal sass, think a soulful soprano like Ramona Keller(BKLYN) or Stacy Francis(footloose). I'm using those girls as an example VOCALLY. thats the sound u wanna capture for Lorell in a stage version. Anika actually is too straight laced of a singer and lacks the sassy soul required. Each girl needs to have her OWN distictive sound. remember the original cast? no girl sounded alike. If Anika were to be cast as lorell her sound would be too similar to deenas and offer nothing special to the group sound as a whole or Aint no party. you need a high BELTING soprano with soul!

Jennifer Hudson should NOT do this revival. not because she cant, just not a smart career move.


Updated On: 1/26/07 at 05:01 PM

[TonyaFanatic]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 5:08pm

You know Margo I think this is definitely the point where her career goes in the right direction or the wrong. Ironic the way its happening again with an immensely talented performer put almost into the same exact situation. Like a fork in the road..

Updated On: 1/26/07 at 05:08 PM

[TheaterAddict7652]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 5:37pm

Regardless of whose cast, I'm estatic that this may be happening!

[broadway86]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 6:41pm

I think Sharon Leal would be a good Deena

I agree. She would be terrifc in that role.

Posted: 1/26/07 at 6:46pm

If they add the new songs from the movie, I would REALLY be happy.

As long as Heather Headly isn't Lorell again and Anika is in it as Deena...


I would DIE happy!

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 6:48pm

They. WON'T. be. adding. the. songs. from. the. movie.

Period.

And I wouldn't hold my breath for Rose.