Isn't it about time for a major Broadway revival of DREAMGIRLS?

[morosco]

Posted: 1/26/24 at 2:29pm

Alex Newell must play Effie.

I Am Changing

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 1/26/24 at 2:33pm

Yes, it's time.

I don't know who currently holds the rights. It might still be Sonia Friedman for the Casey Nicholaw London production.

Newell is a great idea on paper if they can sing it 6-8 times a week.

[Kad]

Posted: 1/26/24 at 2:35pm

Considering their spotty attendance in both Once on This Island and Shucked, I really cannot imagine a production would gamble on Newell for a sustained run.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 1/26/24 at 2:36pm

We need it, but not the Casey Nicholaw production. 

And Jai'Len Josey for Effie!

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 1/26/24 at 2:48pm

We need a tv reality show “The Search For Effie” where each week one of the judges tells a girl “And I am telling you…you ARE going” until the finale when they say to the final girl “and I telling you…you’re staying!” 

 

That’s what we need. 

[Ke3]

Posted: 1/26/24 at 2:50pm

Not Alex Newell. I'm begging for people who look believably under 25. Jai'Len would've been amazing but she's focused on her music career and it's going well for her. I still think Hailey Kilgore would be a good Deena.

[BCfitasafiddle]

Posted: 1/26/24 at 3:08pm

Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia is doing Dreamgirls spring 2025. I will be there! They do great productions and I haven't seen a show of theirs since Memphis in 2015. A chance to see a well-done Dreamgirls is rare! Hop on the train to Philly!

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 1/26/24 at 3:12pm

We also have to remember that despite having a Tony and some press attention, Newell will barely sell any more tickets than someone who just graduated from a BFA program. And if it's Sonia producing, I am sure she won't want anything resembling the Beanie debacle if there is any question of Newell's vocal power, stamina, or age for the role.

Given the content of the piece and the demographics of the authors, I'd greatly prefer a woman of color to direct this (and no, not Schelle Williams)... Camille Brown? Whitney White?

[B212323]

Posted: 1/26/24 at 3:14pm

morosco said: "Alex Newell must play Effie.

I Am Changing"

The west end production starring Amber Riley was supposed to transfer but the shutdown foiled those plans 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 1/26/24 at 3:22pm

I need and want this Jamie Lloyd inspired production.

 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 1/26/24 at 3:39pm

I haven’t seen that video in years. It’s truly one of the greatest things to ever be uploaded to YouTube. 

[tomwsjr]

Posted: 1/26/24 at 4:36pm

Please keep Schelle Williams far away from directing on Broadway!!!!!!!

Updated On: 1/26/24 at 04:36 PM

[morosco]

Posted: 1/26/24 at 5:15pm

I know I'm likely in the minority here but I wish they would completely recreate the original Michael Bennett production with Robin Wagner's light towers, Tharon Musser's masterful lighting, and Theoni V. Aldredge's stunning costumes. All of the elements added up to a flawless look. 

[uncageg]

Posted: 1/26/24 at 5:41pm

Morosco, I have been wishing the same thing. I honestly don't think I would run to see a revival of this if they don't. (And I am sure they won't if it is ever revived)

If this ever happens and Newell is cast, I would think he would only do 7 shows, maybe 6, a week. He has the voice for it but I noticed his voice was a bit rough and he was lowering notes at the final performance of "SHUCKED". 

[JSquared2]

Posted: 1/26/24 at 5:45pm

uncageg said: "Morosco, I have been wishing the same thing. I honestly don't think I would run to see a revival of this if they don't. (And I am sure they won't if it is ever revived)

If this ever happens and Newell is cast, I would think he would only do 7 shows, maybe 6, a week. He has the voice for it but I noticed his voice was a bit rough and he was lowering notes at the final performance of "SHUCKED"."

 

Newell had been out of SHUCKED for the last 6 weeks with vocal problems and came back only for the last show, and in that show they had only one big solo and one easy duet.  No way Alex could sustain even a 6 performance week.  Amber Riley had similar issues in London.  

[JBradshaw]

Posted: 1/29/24 at 10:14pm

the walnut does great productions? Ha. At times yes, but mostly eh. 
 

BCfitasafiddle said: "Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia is doing Dreamgirls spring 2025. I will be there! They do great productions and I haven't seen a show of theirs since Memphis in 2015. A chance to see a well-done Dreamgirls is rare! Hop on the train to Philly!"

 

[Listener]

Posted: 1/31/24 at 9:22am

Amber had a great vocal sound for Effie, so I'm massively bummed she didnt transfer to Broadway. Is it really too late for her?

Morocco, you are not in the minority at all. Like with Phantom, I'd want to see the original staging and orchestrations and choreo, just with a new cast. Otherwise, it seems like diminishing returns.

Those original descending catwalks in Steppin To The Bad Side looked so awesome...but there's no clear video of them online. Would love to see that effect live.

 

[Dylan Smith4]

Posted: 1/31/24 at 9:51am

I know this is unlikely but I would love to see Marisha Wallace in the role again! 

[BETTY22]

Posted: 1/31/24 at 6:20pm

Very difficult to do on Broadway $$$$$ unless they have a big star attached to it. 

[morosco]

Posted: 2/2/24 at 12:22pm

Morocco, you are not in the minority at all. Like with Phantom, I'd want to see the original staging and orchestrations and choreo, just with a new cast. Otherwise, it seems like diminishing returns.
Those original descending catwalks in Steppin To The Bad Side looked so awesome...but there's no clear video of them online. Would love to see that effect live.

Here's some good video of the set in action on Broadway.
 Act 2 Opening

[QueenTwinnied]

Posted: 2/3/24 at 12:25am

JSquared2 said: "uncageg said: "Morosco, I have been wishing the same thing. I honestly don't think I would run to see a revival of this if they don't. (And I am sure they won't if it is ever revived)

If this ever happens and Newell is cast, I would think he would only do 7 shows, maybe 6, a week. He has the voice for it but I noticed his voice was a bit rough and he was lowering notes at the final performance of "SHUCKED"."



Newell had been out of SHUCKED for the last 6 weeks with vocal problems and came back only for the last show, and in that show they had only one big solo and one easy duet. No way Alex could sustain even a 6 performance week. Amber Riley had similar issues in London."

Yep, after Amber departed Effie was played by three actresses (Marisha Wallce, Moya Angela, Karen Mav) who rotated depending on the day. It's a beast of a role and I'd imagine finding anyone with enough star power who could also perform reliably would be difficult. 

[Alexander Lamar]

Posted: 2/3/24 at 7:41am

morosco said: "Morocco, you are not in the minority at all. Like with Phantom, I'd want to see the original staging and orchestrations and choreo, just with a new cast. Otherwise, it seems like diminishing returns.
Those original descending catwalks in Steppin To The Bad Side looked so awesome...but there's no clear video of them online. Would love to see that effect live.

Here's some good video of the set in action on Broadway.
Act 2 Opening"

 That was incredible! thank you for sharing  

I DEMAND this is produced IMMEDIATELY.

 

[binau]

Posted: 2/3/24 at 8:11am

Idk maybe I’m wrong but I don’t know if the show needs stars to survive. Feels like they could create an event by finding the most talented unknown in the USA to play the role and create an old fashioned star is born event. The material is somewhat known and accessible. Maybe it’s a little clunky at points but on the whole given the crap we see these days it’s a masterpiece next to others. If someone can take a risk mounting days of wine and roses I feel they can take less risk mounting this show.