Henry Krieger at dreamgirls last night

[Pippin]

Posted: 1/11/06 at 11:22am

the composer of dreamgirls was in the audience last night at the Prince Music theatre in Philly. the show was amazing last night, probably the best performance so far. Henry loved the show, and afterward Albert Innaurato held a talkback with him. he said that the Prince's production was the "most heartfelt production" he has ever seen of the show. he also stated that this version tells the story of the girls the best out of the shows that he has witnessed. He is a very meek, nice and soft-spoken man, and I felt so blessed to be in the presence of a great songwriter. after the talkback, he took the cast up onstage for a private talk and told Nova Payton, the actress who plays Effie, that her version was the best acted he had ever seen. (yes, ladies and gentlemen, better than Ms. Holiday.) It was an amazing night, and I am so proud of the performers for doing such a wonderful job for one of the creators of the shows.

interesting note- Henry said that Nell Carter was supposed to be the original Effie, but just before workshops began, Nell got "Gimme a break" which took off, so she wasn't available to do it, and that's when they found Ms. Holiday.

for all you people in the tri-state area- come over to Philly to see this production!!! I just found out today that we are once again extending into late February, so there are plenty of chances left!!!
dreamgirls @ the prince.

[Pippin]

Posted: 1/11/06 at 11:25am

this is an add on. he also talked about the film. his work on it is done. I know this has been stated, but he has written four new songs, and added on to some already existing ones as well. he is very excited for the changes and knows that in Bill Condon's hands the film will be great. *****POSSIBLE SPOILER*****He also said that James "thunder" Early's character dies of an overdose after Curtis fires him, so when Effie sings "I miss you old friend" there is a greater subtext for the song.

[morosco]

Posted: 1/11/06 at 2:15pm

"He also said that James "thunder" Early's character dies of an overdose after Curtis fires him, so when Effie sings "I miss you old friend" there is a greater subtext for the song."

How does Effie singing "I Miss You Old Friend" to C.C. White in any way relate to Jimmy Early's death?

[Gothampc]

Posted: 1/11/06 at 2:29pm

"and told Nova Payton, the actress who plays Effie, that her version was the best acted he had ever seen. (yes, ladies and gentlemen, better than Ms. Holiday.)"

That's no surprise because Holliday was never a great actress. If she was, she would have the career that Loretta Devine has had. Holliday's strength (like Ethel Merman's) was the ability to belt to the back of the house.

[Pippin]

Posted: 1/11/06 at 2:32pm

I believe they may be changing who the song is sung to, or she will be simply recording it in remembrance of Jimmy. All I know is that Henry said that Jimmy's death will have an effect on that song.

[morosco]

Posted: 1/11/06 at 2:34pm

"...Holliday was never a great actress..."

Indeed. No one will ever sing that role as well as Holliday did, but her acting skills were limited. She was young and inexperienced. Her performance at times appeared to be the result of Bennett giving her line readings.

[best12bars]

Posted: 1/11/06 at 2:40pm

You know, if all goes well in filming, this could be THE career-defining role for Eddie Murphy.

[Kringas]

Posted: 1/11/06 at 2:51pm

There's a chunk of "I Miss You Old Friend" that's not on the OBC (but is on the concert cd) with those actual lyrics. Perhaps Effie will be singing those as well, instead of some random singers in a recording studio.

And, Best12, I agree with you. If this film is well-made and Eddie rises to the task, I could see this being his role of a lifetime.

Updated On: 1/11/06 at 02:51 PM

[Gothampc]

Posted: 1/11/06 at 2:54pm

"You know, if all goes well in filming, this could be THE career-defining role for Eddie Murphy."

Eddie will always be Buckwheat to me.

[TheQuibbler]

Posted: 1/11/06 at 3:00pm

Oh, I do hope the show extends. I go to college in Philly, but my Christmas break fell right when the show was. I go back on the 15th, the final performance. I really hope the decide to extend again!

[SquaneishaWashington]

Posted: 1/13/06 at 2:37pm

I was at the show on Tuesday with some people from my church and I heard from some money person that was at some reception with the writer that the show was being extended for another 6 weeks!!!! They are capitalizing on this production honey! The composer loved it and I there may be a limited run at some casino down in Atlantic City based on the Prince's production. It's gonna be a DREAMGIRLS year y'all....and about time that the younger generation knows the show truly. That concert was great but the people were all wrong...now people will hear that Motown sound. Congrats the the theater and creators. GO SEE THE SHOW!

[Pippin]

Posted: 1/13/06 at 2:50pm

the show has been extended thru Feb. 26. they are pulling out all the stops with this production.


and best12, I totally agree. the role of Jimmy could be Murphy's comeback role. he needs something huge to pull him out of the kiddie crap he has been doing for the past 4 years.
www.princemusictheatre.org

Updated On: 1/13/06 at 02:50 PM

[Barihunk]

Posted: 1/13/06 at 3:21pm

I think it's great that the Prince has (finally) a success on their hands with this show, but I don't think it's at all surprising that they are extending the run. The Prince only seats 450 people. If they sell out 8 shows a week for 12 weeks that means roughly 42,300 will have seen the show. To put things in perspective this is still less than the number of people who see "Wicked" or "Spamalot" in 3 weeks time. It's also less than 1% of the entire Philly Metro area population. Let's try to keep some perspective.

Updated On: 1/13/06 at 03:21 PM

[Pippin]

Posted: 1/13/06 at 4:14pm

very true.

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 1/13/06 at 4:56pm

Another extension, how exciting for the Prince! "And I'm Telling You...I smell a Barrymore"...said it when I covered Arden's Sweeny Todd and saying it now.

One of my clients, Renee Chambers is in this production and she is having a ball.

Congrats. to the entire staff...Ride that wave all the way to the shore!

[OasisBroadway]

Posted: 1/16/06 at 8:57am

This show is truly fantastic. If anyone is in or around Philadelphia and can get to see it, you definitely should. The show was entertaining from start to finish, the score is superb and the performances by some of the leading cast members was outstanding. I highly recommend it!