My Thoughts on Dreamgirls

[AwesomeDanny]

Posted: 1/24/10 at 9:11pm

I saw today's matinee of Dreamgirls in Chicago. I was in the second to last row of the balcony, a little off to the right. I was going in a little scared from reviews I read on here, but my sister's excitement quickly spread to me before the performance started. I ultimately really like the show.

I liked the five panels as the set. I found it interesting how they would move to make the walls of a room or become the curtains in the wings. There was one square in a panel that occasionally flickered in act one, but it was fixed during intermission. I also liked how they were the TV screens when they were performing because we were able to see both what the TV audience saw and what was happening at the same time. I think the set (or lack thereof) didn't affect my viewing of the show at all, but I haven't seen the original production, so I could only compare it to the movie, in which all scenic design elements were obviously physically there.

Moya Angela as Effie blew the roof off. During "And I Am Telling You...", I had chills and goosebumps during the final verse or two, but it was nothing like what had ever happened before. I felt like I should have been standing, clapping, and crying, but I was luckily too awestruck to do anything. I've heard people saying her facial expressions were off, but I was too far away to make out any facial expressions. All I have to say is that she can REALLY belt.

Syesha Mercado as Deena was really good, but I felt like the character was more important in the movie. I liked her on American Idol, but I didn't watch much of that season. She was great, but I don't have much to say about her.

All in all, I loved it, but there's not much I can say about it. "Listen" worked well, but I felt like when they apologize, they shouldn't be belting and diva off-ing. It was a great experienced after pretty much being theater deprived for seven months, and it was well worth the ticket.
Updated On: 1/24/10 at 09:11 PM