Effie Melody White?

#1

Effie Melody White?

Posted: 1/1/10 at 12:46pm

In DREAMGIRLS, the character of Effie is often listed as Effie Melody White, but as far as I can remember, she's not actually ever referred to using a middle name within the show.

Does anyone know why this is the case?

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Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.

Updated On: 8/2/10 at 12:46 PM

#2

re: Effie Melody White?

Posted: 1/1/10 at 12:55pm

Melody is her real name & Effie is a nick name I believe.

#3

re: Effie Melody White?

Posted: 1/1/10 at 12:58pm

I thought they called her by her full three names somewhere in Act 2. Before One Night Only maybe?

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"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."

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blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22

#4

re: Effie Melody White?

Posted: 1/1/10 at 1:04pm

It's definitely not in that scene, best12bars. The recording technician says over the speaker, "Recording Effie White, 'I Miss You Old Friend'" without any middle name. Similarly, he later says, "Recording Effie White, 'One Night Only.'"

I thought it may have been in the scene before "I Am Changing," but it's not there either- Marty says, "I told you- Effie White is the best singer you're gonna find in Chicago... in the country!"

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Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.

Updated On: 1/1/10 at 01:04 PM

#5

re: Effie Melody White?

Posted: 1/1/10 at 1:54pm

best12bars, I think you are right. I seem to remember them saying her name in the show.

#6

re: re: Effie Melody White?

Posted: 1/2/10 at 11:33am

bump

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Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.

#7

re: re: re: Effie Melody White?

Posted: 1/2/10 at 11:42am

somethingwicked---are you talking about the original show (which I saw) or one of the revivals, concerts, or the movie?

It's been a long time, and I could easily be mistaken, but I thought all three names were used (at least) once in the original Broadway production.

---

"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."

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blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22

#8

re: re: re: Effie Melody White?

Posted: 1/2/10 at 4:33pm

I can't remember "Melody" ever being spoken in the show.

But we do learn in the show that the C.C. in C.C. White stands for Clarence Conrad.

#9

re: re: re: Effie Melody White?

Posted: 8/2/10 at 7:21am

During the Original Try-Out in Boston in November of 1981, Deena refers to Effie by her full name! And I think thats it...

#10

re: re: re: Effie Melody White?

Posted: 8/2/10 at 9:55am

Yeah, I was gonna say I'm pretty sure that they mentioned it in an early workshop. Also, I think there used to be a song with Melody in the title.

If it were a nickmame it would be Melody "Effie" White.

#11

re: re: re: Effie Melody White?

Posted: 8/2/10 at 12:38pm

yeah, thats from an audio bootleg (opening night obc) i remember hearing that name also

Updated On: 8/2/10 at 12:38 PM

#12

re: re: re: Effie Melody White?

Posted: 8/2/10 at 1:00pm

I have always heard that "Effie" comes from an intentional nod to Florence Ballard, the Supremes member the character is loosely based on. "Effie" is an occasional nickname for "Florence".

#13

re: re: re: Effie Melody White?

Posted: 8/2/10 at 2:54pm

I've never heard of Florence being called by the nickname "Effie". In everything I have read on The Supremes the nickname they refer to the most, or at least acknowledge, is "Blondie".

Updated On: 8/2/10 at 02:54 PM

#14

re: re: re: Effie Melody White?

Posted: 8/2/10 at 3:12pm

I didn't mean to imply that Ballard was ever actually called Effie. It's just that Effie can sometimes be a nickname for the name Florence. "Flossie" is another one, but I know of at least 2 Florences (both in their 70's) who are affectionately called Effie.

Updated On: 8/2/10 at 03:12 PM

#15

re: re: re: Effie Melody White?

Posted: 8/4/10 at 1:06am

I recently listened to Dreamgirls concert and I don't remember them using that name.

#16

re: re: re: Effie Melody White?

Posted: 8/4/10 at 5:32am

Deena refers to Effie Melody White during the Dreams final performance in the Boston tryout.

And Florence 'Flo' Ballard was nicknamed 'Blondie' for her natural auburn highlights.

Effie is the name of the mother in "Sparkle". Which of course is a slight inspiration for Dreamgirls...