IT'S ALL ABOUT *DREAMGIRLS*

The men are better than the women on the recording. But still-it's nice to have parts of the score that went unrecorded in the much truncated OBC.

I believe Billy was very ill that night.

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I adore "heavy" and have grown quite fond of AIATY. At first i wasn't happy with Lillias' performance, but it has definately grown on me.

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How did I miss this thread? I'm in an Dreamgirls all the time mode right now, so I thought I'd weigh in.

I agree with many who people whose sentiment is that it's great to have the complete show recorded, but some of the performances leave something to be desired. I know Billy Porter's voice was going, but I didn't care one whit for his interpretation of Jimmy.

Love Audra. I don't have the problem with her as Deena that a lot of people have. I understand the criticisms, though, but she's never really bothered me.

Heather's voice is wrong for Lorrell, but I thought she really did a fine job of mining the part for comedy.

As for Lillias White, I'm pretty okay with her interpretation of Effie on the recording, save for the two inexplicable "woo"s that come out of her mouth (one in "It's All Over" and the other during "AITY"). They drive me nuts. Especially the one in AITY.

I'm okay with them using the revised Act Two opening, but I really wish the Act Two press conference would be restored. I'm pretty sure it won't be in the film version, but all I gotta do is dream.

And "Heavy" is the best song ever.

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I was thinking last night about the production I saw in Atlanta a few years ago. I thought it was amazing. The St. Louis Black Rep is doing it here in the spring. If it's a decent production, I imagine I'll be seeing it many times.

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That Atlanta production was AMAZING and remains one of my fondest memories of going to the theatre
Jennifer Holliday, Norm Lewis and Ramona Keller are all fantastic and seeing Ms.Holliday doing Effie after growning up on the OBCR is an experience I will never forget

I own this recording, also and there are some moments that truly shine and some moments that...did not. Lillias's version of AIATY has truly grown on me-- when I first heard it I was schocked at her runs and melisma but it gets better over time.

I really love Heavy on this recording and the part where Lillias hits the high note and Heather sings above her is pure genius. I saw a production of Dreamgirls this summer in Baltimore-- and the woman playing Lorrell truly shined in the role. Heather did not have the vocal range at all for it-- though her acting was dead-on. Vocally, I think that LaChanze would have been a better pick or someone else-- but Heather's "Ain't No Party" is a song I skip over every time I listen to it.

All in all, I enjoy this recording becuase it preserves the wonderful score, though it is not perfect. It is truly a wonderful experience to see this live!! If there are any amateur preoductions around you this year SEE THIS SHOW!!

My family and I made a road trip out it too! Dreamgirls is my all time favourite musical and my family has a long history with the show; my dad actually took my mom on a date to see the show shortly before he proposed.
We drove in the night before, saw the matinee the next day and drove back to Orlando right after curtain call
I too had rehearsals the next day, but it was more than worth it

I remember that whole production so vividly. I thought the cast was pretty much top notch across the board.

I'll never forget the man a few rows back from me during "AITY." In the midst of all the audience screaming, crying, etc I heard this lone voice behind me shouting out, "You better sing! You better sing!" It was totally surreal. It was the only time I ever saw a show getting a standing ovation at the end of the first act. The energy pulsating through the house at intermission was amazing.

Edited: No problem, Sidney. I thought tickets went on sale this week, but I called Metrotix and found out the Black Rep is handling their own ticket sales now. I called today, but they're only open Monday - Friday. Their number (if you need it) is 314-534-3810.

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Updated On: 12/10/05 at 02:13 PM

arm outstreched being "pulled back" as the curtain descends on her and The Dreams strut on stage singing "Love, Love You Baby" will forever be embedded in my mind.

That was my one quibble with the Atlanta production. I don't know if it was because Jennifer Holliday is who she is now, or if it was a set issue (the Atlanta set was a scaled down version of the Broadway original), but Effie stayed front and center for her last "love me," and curtains opened behind her, showing Deena and the Dreams onstage from behind. I wish they'd done it the original way.

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No, Ramona Keller was not Lorrell in Baltimore. It was an amatuer production-- the woman who played her (I think) was named Travinna Robinson.

The Effie that I saw was probably the most obnoxious, largest human being ever. Cynthia Wadell-Ragin. She had a big booming obnoxious voice, and the worst, most ill-constructed runs I have heard in a theatre. Her very apparent lisp was not helping the situation either. The entire cast shined, though Effe the leading lady was probably the weakest point of thes show. We all know that Effie is a bitch and very demanding-- but it is up to the actress playing her to give us some sort of affection for her character. By the time AIATY came around-- I wanted her to go.

Hopefully Jennifer Hudson will be able to capture the heart of Effie in her portrayal so we don't just see her as demanding.

oooh, i don't like that change.

Yeah, I didn't either, but it was the only misstep in an otherwise glorious production. I wonder what Bill Condon will do for the moment in the film (if indeed that moment stays in). This is gonna be one long year. I just really hope the movie is true to the stage version. Sometimes I lay in bed at night and try to telepathically contact Bill Condon. Over and over, I chant, "Don't f--- it up, Bill, Don't f--- it up."

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Updated On: 12/10/05 at 02:26 PM