I think they need to cast her in the movie as Effie she would be AWESOME for the role !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Does anyone else agree or disagree?
...huh?
What movie?
...what?
Nope.
I saw Frenchie as Effie and thought she was great. I doubt she's enough of a "name" to get the film, but I loved her in it.
Her vibrato scares me. No thanks.
Love me some Frenchie Davis. She'd be great.
"I think it was the Korean tour or something. They were all frickin' asian!" -Zoran912
Ooh definitely. C'mon, there's enough Frenchie to go around to everyone. Anybody have any clips of her singing??? PM me.
Why cast woman of size who can sing (i.e Ms. Davis or another AI alumni Jennifer Hudson) when they can cast someone with little to no voice and no acting skills, but a slimer, more mainstream "diva" such as Beyonce...
-Vincent
Vinny, you are a genius. Well except you are like super P.C.:)
But anyway, it's a tough role to cast if they want to cast a "known". Obviously, thoughts first go to Queen Latifah but she probably doesn't have the pipes. I don't know if Frenchie can act, but she can surely sing.
I saw Frenchie play Effie at PCLO at least 5 times this summer (the Plaids saw every show free!). She exceeded all of the high expectations I placed on her. Absolutely wonderful - I would love for her to play the part in the film. She may not have the same passion that Holliday had, but she's closer than most and has pipes to knock you over. She was even sharp at times...one of the strongest belts I have ever heard.
I saw Frenchie Davis in that mini Dreamgirls tour in Seattle, and she was AWFUL. Horrible, can't act, has no idea how to interpret at song to suit her voice, all over the place in all the wrong keys, it was really really sad. She base her whole performance on "I am telling you..." and neglected the more than 3/4 of the show.
You obviously saw a different Frenchie. None of those things were problems once she did it in Pittsburgh. And trust me - I'm a bitch, especially when it comes to Dreamgirls. Just ask Robbie :)
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/10/04
Wasn't she recording an album with Jim Steinman?
I'm also in Seattle. I didn't think she was as terrible as Bobby did, but then again, I'll admit I'm a lot more forgiving. But I was unimpressed. She was a name to draw the crowd, but she didn't do a great job. I was wishing my tickets were for the next day because her stand-by went on for 3 days and I heard she was way better.
Swing Joined: 2/3/05
I saw that tour when it was in San jose, CA. Frenchie sang the **** out of it when I saw it but COULD NOT ACT.....AT ALL.
I'm with Bobby. Saw it in Seattle. She can't act. And her voice isn't even good enough, in my opinion. Both Ramona Keller and the woman playing Deena blew her out of the water. Effie has to be the best singer on that stage NO DOUBT, and while Frenchie is fantastic, she doesn't have the power and gospel fervor necessary to truly pull it off. Effie's voice needs to be peeling the paint off the walls. But above all, she can't act. She's like cardboard.
As far as Beyonce Knowles, she's not being considered for Effie, I'm assuming she's being considered for Deena, and she would make a damn fine Deena. If she's being asked to play Effie then I will puke.
Swing Joined: 2/3/05
RAmona Keller stole that show....robbed it blind.
I don't know about "robbed it blind," but she was very good. I was impressed that she did it very classy, didn't try to overdo the comedy. Her voice, though, definitely stole the show. "Ain't No Party" was an experience.
Great voice but the acting bothers me as well.
Broadway Star Joined: 2/21/04
I find it interesting that some don't think Frenchie should be cast as Effie cause of her acting but yet Beyonce would be perfect as Deena? Beyonce can't act either.
Stand-by Joined: 8/17/04
The reason Beyonce (or as Whoopi Goldberg apparently calls her, Bouncy haha) why she'd be an okay Deena is that she wouldn't have to 'act' all that much. She'd be playing herself for about 80% of the role, and it would work.
After seeing Frenchie in Pittsburgh's Dreamgirls and then hearing Jennifer Hudson (of Idol #3) sing it, I give it hands down to Hudson. Frenchie might sing the **** out of a song, but not only does Hudson sing the **** out of a song, but she FEELS every word that comes out of her mouth. I already liked her after AI, but after hearing her at the Hair concert in September, she won me over as a lifelong fan.
I doubt they'd give Effie to J*Hud, but I can hope!
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