It's Been 20 Years... DREAMGIRLS Broadway Revival? (Variety) — Page 2

I've said it before, but there's an interview where Beyonce said she wanted to be the first black woman to have an oscar, a grammy, an emmy, and a tony. Not that I think she'd be capable of winning a tony as Deena, but who knows, she might go for it. If she were starring, then the production would definitely be guaranteed a success.

I would love it if Sharon Leal came back to broadway as Deena. With Jesse L. Martin as Curtis. Don't know about any of the other parts. Maybe Billy Porter could play Jimmy again.

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I totally agree, Kringas.

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You can bet that any Broadway revival of DREAMGIRLS will be an EXACT recreation of Bennett's original staging -- much like the A CHORUS LINE revival, Bennett estate executor (ans revival producer) John Breglio would not allow any major changes.

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Dame, I was just thinking the same thing. Do the original, "original", not the scaled down original "revival".

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I think that DREAMGIRLS should come off much better than ACL does now. The book and score still seem fairly fresh and not at all dated, and the designs and Bennett's staging are still state of the art 25 years later (amazingly, I've yet to see a show in all these years since that looks more modern or technologically advanced). And unlike ACL, DREAMGIRLS has been re-mounted several times since Bennett's death, both for Broadway (1987 revival which was basically a return engagement of the national tour that Bennett himself staged before his death) and in several productions around the country (that have used the original staging to varying degrees -- in Atlanta, Philly, Detroit, et al).

I've seen the show several times since Bennett's death and the audience response is always exactly the same -- if anything the show seems MORE popular now than it originally did in the 80s. For a revival, yes, let's hope they have Robin Wagner recreate his computerized light towers (rather than using the mobile ones on wheels that the bus-and-truck tours had). And I imagine they'll grab Brenda Braxton (who was the show's original dance captain and staged the Actor's Fund Concert) to do the re-creation of the staging and choreography. Frankly, as long as they cast it well and don't do it on the cheap, a new revival would be a can't-miss proposition.

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Updated On: 12/4/06 at 03:19 PM

Jennifer's agents have been picky as to what vehicle she stars in next. They have already turned down a couple of movie scripts. By the time Dreamgirls is ready for the stage, if it is to be revived, she probably would've signed on to another project already. Her focus right now is her CD that Clive Davis is supervising.

I understand that the show never played the West End and it is planned for the spring. I've not heard more details on this yet.

Seeing as how the integrity of the original production is so fiercely protected, I wonder what are the chances of the film's new songs being added to the stage production (a la "Maybe This Time" in Cabaret). In the case of MTT, I think it added to the piece. I guess I have a problem with "Listen" because I see it as little more than an attempt to win an Oscar for Best Song and to give Deena (but more importantly, Beyonce) her own little AIATYING.
What do you guys think? Add the new songs giving DG a little freshness for the new millenium, or let the film be the film and leave well enough alone onstage?

Nicci Gilbert was one of the top 3 finalists for the film role of Effie and I think she'd make a good Effie on stage.

I remember there were rumors of a revival after Deborah Cox's run in "Aida" and I think they should snatch her up for Deena before she gets too old. If not her, then Sasha Allen.

What I really find myself wondering about is whether the next new cast recording will have the entire score on it. That would be terrific.

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