Need Dreamgirls advisement

[bradtwotrees]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 2:35am

Have you seen Dreamgirls? I need your advisement.

I'm a high school teacher and I want to take my group to see the Broadway production in L.A. I KNOW I'm going to get grilled by my principal (and possibly school board) on this, so I need you to advise me.

I know the movie (which he is also familiar with) has some moments of sexual innuendo and some moments of obvious sexual references. In this day and age of lawsuits, my district likes to play things VERY safe. Not only that, but we will be having parent chaperones on this trip and who knows who might be offended at what. I just like to play things safe, too. Some things are just not worth the battle, if you know what I mean.

Can you please tell me if the currently touring Broadway production is like the movie in this aspect? Or is it clean, family affair? I know that the Broadway version actually came out a long time before the movie and perhaps some of the risqué moments of the movie were added for the big screen.

I would appreciate any perspective you can give me.

Brad

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 7:49am

For starters... what you will be seeing is a new production, not the Broadway production. This 'new' production features new and different sets than the ones seen in the original 1982 Broadway production, plus this 'new' production adds the song "Listen" which was written for the 2006 film adaptation and which was not in the original 1982 Broadway production.

You also have to note... the stage-version of DREAMGIRLS is quite different from the 2006 film adaptation in many ways. On stage, DREAMGIRLS is performed almost like an opera as about 90% is virtually entirely sung. For the film adaptation, this was eliminated extensively. Scenes that are said 'singing' on stage are normal dialogue scenes in the film.

Where you get that Broadway is only 'family fare' is beyond me. If you're expecting Broadway musicals to be wholesome and sweet 'family fare', you need to check out shows like AVENUE Q, SPRING AWAKENING, TABOO, SWEENEY TODD, WEST SIDE STORY, the list is endless. With the exemption of a musical like ANNIE and those Disney musicals (BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, MARY POPPINS, THE LION KING, etc.), musicals are created and geared for older audiences. Some content may be suitable for a certain 'family' age range, but even then... these musicals are intended to entertain an older audience and created as such.

And no... the stage version of DREAMGIRLS does not feature the sexual content the 2006 film did though it does contain some safe profanity.

I recommend DREAMGIRLS for ages 12 and up. Girls will love it insanely as will the gay boys.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 9:17am

Juniors, Seniors, and possibly Sophomores should be fine. There's no nudity or sex scenes. There's just some mild language.

I didn't include high school Freshmen in the "OK" group because they tend to still be adjusting to their entering adulthood.

[bradtwotrees]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 9:51am

Brodyfosse123, Thank you, thank you! I appreciate your excellent response very much. I didn't know anything about this stage production at all.

(I think you misread me on the "family fare" part. I was only wondering if this was safe enough to take the family. I've taken my groups to "Wicked," "Phantom," "Lion King," "Cats," "West Side Story," "Sunday in the Park with George," etc. etc. and of course many of the classics.)

So, you say the "gay guys" would enjoy this--are you saying that this may be too "chickish" for the straight guys to enjoy?
Updated On: 7/21/09 at 09:51 AM

[Gothampc]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 9:53am

My advice is to get a copy of the script or a copy of "Dreamgirls in Concert" which has almost the entire show recorded. Pass out copies to the principal and/or school board. As a teacher, you must have to submit lesson plans, so tell them that this is an addition to your lesson plan. Let them see the material on their own and they can decide who it is suitable for. There's an old saying "Forewarned is forearmed."

[bradtwotrees]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 9:53am

CapnHook, thanks for your second, confirming point of view. I appreciate it very much.

[bradtwotrees]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 9:56am

Gothampc,

Thanks for the tip!

(BTW, I'm ROFL after reading your signature.)

[CapnHook]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 10:00am

Too "chickish"? I don't think so. I would say LEGALLY BLONDE is too "chickish."

I'd label DREAMGIRLS as historical, cultural, and entertaining. It's a period piece that's still completely relevant today.

The 'gay boys' will love it because of the recognizable music, and the fact that it's sung by "a big black lady who stops the show."

Posted: 7/21/09 at 10:36am

What were the obvious sexual references in the movie? The only one I can think of that migth be considered "Explicit" by a timid mom is the phrase "Common piece he's knocking off" which is lifted directly from the stage show.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 10:46am

Well, there's a weird scene where Beyonce says give me your baby, and they are have naked. And then she never mentions wanting a baby again.

[StageManager2]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 11:11am

There's also that bit during "I Want You Baby" when Jimmy and Lorrell are shown in bed having just "done it."

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 11:12am

Also, the short snippet in one of the film's montages showing Jimmy and Lorrell in bed together. While we're at it... the whole relationship between Lorrell and the married Jimmy Early. Oh, and let's not forget Jimmy taking out his drug stash for a fix in the film version.

Posted: 7/21/09 at 11:21am

I guess that explains why I have always been a failure at being an uptight suburban mom.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 11:27am

Speaking of plot points that go nowhere, why did Bill Condon add a first marriage for Curtis when it's never mentioned again?

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 11:49am

Kinda OT, but according to Strouse, Annie was designed to be an adult show, that they could bring the kids to see. I wanna say he quotes Hal Prince's comment of "Make a kid's show, and you'll run. Make an adult's show that their children can go see, and you'll have a hit."