Brave Sir Robin2 said: "Adrienne Warren for Lorrell! She'd slay "Ain't No Party"!
She actually already played Lorrell in the most recent national tour and she did, in fact, slay.
I'm not a big fan of including "Listen." Mainly just because I love the original music and lyrics for Effie and Deena's reunion. "Listen" does make it a bigger moment, though.
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/1/14
Patina Miller strikes me as an Effie voice and personality in a Deena body.
Patina is a great actress and can totally pull off entire journey of Deena. Adrienne Warren's Lorrell, while it will be exciting, would be a wasted role for her. She's far too talented. I say give her Deena if Patina's unavailable.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
I am not liking the changes this new version has....
The Vogue Sequence is cut
Listen is added as a duet (like the recent Longbottom National Tour)
The opening to Act 2 has been changed once again... to what? Who knows?
There is a weird curtain call with Dreams former selves
Can we get a Color Purple reunion going? Patrice Covington would be a great Lorrell. Isaiah Johnson as Curtis! Kyle Scatliffe as CC!
Do we think a name will come in for Jimmy Early?
Also, if you're going to add a song from the movie... Make it Love You I Do!
It's confirmed
http://www.playbill.com/article/london-dreamgirls-is-broadway-bound
JENNIFER HUDSON should revive her role...Think of the sales... And the chance to hear her sing AND I AM TELLING you live... Chills....
double post
tripe post ugh sorry!!
Understudy Joined: 2/12/16
Skimbleshanks2 said: "JENNIFER HUDSON should revive her role...Think of the sales... And the chance to hear her sing AND I AM TELLING you live... Chills....
"
I am one of the biggest Jenifer Hudson ever, and I don't think her reprising the role would be the best idea. Sure it may bring in tickets but I think it would be overkill. She's already done the ultimate performance of the role and won every award under the sun for it. It's cemented in history and I think maybe outside of a special one night only special concert or something, I think it's wise she leaves the character alone. She's had her time with it, and it's time for other women to have their shine with the production. I don't wanna see Hudson end up like Holliday, still hanging onto this part 30 yrs from now for dear life, but I think she's already proven she's beyond that.
Understudy Joined: 2/12/16
I saw the 2009 tour version of Dreamgirls, and although I didn't care for the production/direction (I felt the led PANELS LOOKED CHEAP AND TOOK AWAY FROM THE BEAUTY OF THE ORIginal production) the talent was second to none. Syesha Mercado and Adrienne Warren were magic and MOYA ANGELA has a voice that could literally rip the roof off of any building. Up until the Color Purple revival I've never heard a more beautiful blend of voices, the whole cast were A game players. I'm looking forward to this revival so I can hopefully see a closer version to the original staging.
Understudy Joined: 2/12/16
I still stand by my dreamcast afor Keke Palmer as Deena, and Shaniece Williams from the Wiz Live as Lorell to accompany Amber Riley. I think it's perfect casting, the girls are perfect ages, and they have enough popularity together to drive tickets sales through the roof. I so hope somebody involved with the Broadway productions reads this and think its a god idea also, and makes it happen
Saw this in London. Loved it. Amber Riley is incredible.
Leading Actor Joined: 11/21/10
cuz-i-can said: "I still stand by my dreamcast afor Keke Palmer as Deena, and Shaniece Williams from the Wiz Live as Lorell to accompany Amber Riley. I think it's perfect casting, the girls are perfect ages, and they have enough popularity together to drive tickets sales through the roof. I so hope somebody involved with the Broadway productions reads this and think its a god idea also, and makes it happen
"
I agree with this casting and feel it would be a nice balance vocally!!
As far as casting goes, the girl playing Deena in the West End (Liisi LaFontaine) is American. I imagine she'll be brought over to open the show in NY along with Amber Riley.
Marisha Wallace, Riley's alternate, is also American.
I thought the show was very good, not great, but very good. I'm sure it will come over because there's been lots of hype about it. The guy who played Curtis was the standout for me, but I felt like his costumes wore him. I'd like to see a couple of set/costume changes when it transfers.
Broadway Star Joined: 9/15/16
I just checked www.dreamgirlsbroadway.com and while nothing is there, I found that the domain is owned by AKA, the marketing company behind the revival. Can't wait to see this and hope it will take the Shubert!
I really don't see Shubert being available in 2017-2018 season. I guess we'll find out how well the production stands post Midler, or when she even leaves, but it's a huge and I daresay long awaited revival of a beloved musical. It will survive more than a year.
Broadway Star Joined: 3/23/05
Jordan Catalano said: "Well, maybe Holliday can play Deena."
Haha! In 'The Color Purple', although her face looked like a 40 year old's, her movement and posture was that of a 90 year old.
Broadway Star Joined: 9/15/16
Hello, Dolly's mailer says, "See Bette Midler in Hello, Dolly through January 14th, 2018."
Does this mean the show is a limited run and will close January 2018 or is it just Bette that will be leaving? If it's the latter, I'd think the Shubert would be perfect for Dreamgirls but who knows!
The problem with Hello Dolly getting replacements after Middler is how well the production itself is received. If it is received well, you can bet that the Grand Dames of Broadway will happily line up to play the role of a lifetime, just as they did for the original production. I would expect Donna Murphy, Patti Lupone, Christine Ebersole, Bernadette Peters, Bebe Neuwirth.....to all be vying to be her replacement.
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/13/09
Donna Murphy is already to set to begin playing the role once a week after the Tonys when Bette reduces down to a seven performances per week schedule (I believe it was announced that Donna would be performing the Tuesday night shows), as well as covering Bette's vacations.
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/20/13
Here is Amber and Liisi singing "Listen"
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p04qyw6j
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
When is the cast recording coming out?
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