Dreamgirls movie - What things do you feel should not be changed?

Or, if you will, what changes do you foresee that could be made that would diminish your overall enjoyment? It's a simple fact of life that the show will not be coming to the screen exactly as it was onstage, and I'm curious to know what some of you think should come to the screen exactly as played onstage.

For example, my heart will break a little if "Heavy" is not in it in it's entirety. The same with "It's All Over." And I'll also be quite bummed if the end of "And I'm Telling You" doesn't segue immediately into "Love, Love You, Baby."

Anyone else?

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I know a lot of people had complaints about Audra's voice for Deena, and I guess I can see their point to some degree. I do think, though, that the way she acted the role mitigates the fact that she doesn't have the "classical" R&B sound the role really calls for.

And I agree about Steppin'. It was one of the best numbers in the show when I saw it in Atlanta a few years ago.

I also hope (and I suspect they won't) that they keep the Act Two opening. It has such an energy to it that really thrills me. In a perfect world, they'd combine the original Act Two opening with the revised version. And, since I'm wishing for everything at this point, I hope they restore the press conference that used to immediately follow it.

But, seriously, I'll be one unhappy man if they screw around with "Heavy."

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Kringas...definitely feel the same here...saw your other post about the Michael Jackson kid in it making it too similar to the Supremes...HATE that idea.

If they mess with Heavy and It's all Over I will cry! I dont think "And I am Telling You" will be the same without the breakdown of the group.

Once again, tho...definitely going to trust Condon to do the right thing.

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Well, I'm sure the film will have more spoken dialogue and less singing then the play. Condon is a fine director, and I trust him with the material a lot more then say Chris Columbus with Rent or Joel Schumacher with Phantom.

Though the musical has a lot of die hard fans, DREAMGIRLS was not a flawless piece of musical theatre. There is room for the project to grow,expand and improve. The fact that Condon is working with the original writing team on the changes is definitely a good sign.

I'm afraid that the fluidity of the show might be lost in the movie. The stage show is light and moves quickly. I think the movie will have to be very careful not to be cumbersome.

One of the problems they are going to have is with "And I'm Telling You". It's such an emotionally packed number. We as an audience have the intermission to rest and say "Wow, what did I just experience?" The movie has to be careful that it doesn't come across as over the top. We don't have that luxury of intermission in the movies to step away and have catharsis.

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Updated On: 6/9/05 at 01:01 PM

"And yet its the emotional center of the score."

If they have a superb actress, they should take a cue from Judy Garland in "A Star is Born". A single camera shot of Effie in the dressing room that never blinks and never moves from the actress.

I shudder to think what it will be like if they make the mistake of flashbacks ala "Evita" and "A Chorus Line". Here's Effie walking in the park, and here she is the first day she realizes she's in love with Curtis, and here is 10 minutes of them in bed together.

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Updated On: 6/9/05 at 01:23 PM

I really wish the movie wouldn't happen. I'd rather people experience a first rate revival recreating Bennett's original production.

They can't touch the following songs that are dear to my heart and these songs are Heavy, It's All Over and the Press Conference. I get chills everytime I hear Deena say "Wonderful,what can I say but wonderful" Not too mention they better not lay a hand on The Opening of The Second Act Medley. A part I can see them cutting but I really wishe they wouldn't is The Vouge Sequnce. I hope they just do more with Michelle. The musical left her character so under developed, sometimes I would forget she's even there.

Detroit is true.

I trust Condon. Look how he adapted 'Chicago' from stage to screen. BRILLIANT!! In fact, I enjoyed the film version better than the stage.

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Sorry Capn but too much sh!t is posted on the 'net. When i read or hear it from a reliable source I will give it merit, until then I won't.

We probably wont have much verification of the validity of any of these rumors until way down the line, but it is fun to speculate.

I want I am telling you to be on point. I am scared of the people they have cast except for Beyonce. I think she can play her role.

hey u! swung your @ss on outta here! beyoncé is it! get over it, mmmmmkay?

anyway...to answer some of dreamboy2004's questions.

as far as my concern on the "one night only" number it's a very theatrical number.

it starts off with "effie" singing her rendition and then segues into the version sung by "deena and the dreams" but mid-way into the song each "dream": "deena", "michelle" and "lorell" start singing what is on their mind while they are performing the song on stage. it's letting the audience in on each of their thoughts.

i'm thinking for the movie they may just do this as voice overs. they'll show the group come out and sing the song and midway cut to each girl as we hear their thoughts as a voice over instead of actually showing them singing it out.

i vaguely remember the original opening to the second act. i recall it being a medley of their hits and then at the end there's this big press conference with all sorts of questions being asked which was basically done to get the audience up to speed on what has transpired in the years in between Acts I and II.

the second version of the second act i recall is the group singing a very vegasy version of "dreamgirls" and it basically showcases "deena" and all the male dancers. it reminded me very much of marilyn monroe's "diamonds are a girl's best friend" number from "gentlemen prefer blondes"...and it ends differently.