Norm Lewis in Dreamgirls...

[KMF_NYC]

Posted: 8/4/04 at 4:56pm

YUMMY!

Posted: 8/4/04 at 5:12pm

Even if he has a lot of fans he is still one of the most underappreciated performers on Broadway.

[KMF_NYC]

Posted: 8/4/04 at 5:15pm

you got that right -- I also think your name sake is very under-rated

[MyNameInLights]

Posted: 8/4/04 at 5:19pm

When I first looked at this thread title, my mind registered it as Norm MacDonald. No no no! Hahaha.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 8/4/04 at 5:19pm

He was one of the highlights at the DREAMGIRLS concert a few years ago -- he vocally surpassed Ben Harney, the original Curtis.

Posted: 8/4/04 at 5:21pm

Margo - I've alway's been afraid to listen to the concert Dreamgirls because of my experience of it with the OBC. Were you there, and more importantly, what did you think?

Posted: 8/4/04 at 5:22pm

Thanks KMF_NYC. Me too.

[KMF_NYC]

Posted: 8/4/04 at 5:25pm

DGrant..
I know you posed the question to Margo, and as always her opinions reign supreme (in my opinion) -- however since I was at teh concert, it was simply amazing -- nothing will ever suprpass the OBC, but this evening was magical and we are fortunate that it was preserved for future enjoyment!

Posted: 8/4/04 at 5:27pm

KMF - I don't want to imply that any input isn't welcomed - and thanks for the thumbs up - I've heard it was QUITE the event

[Dolly_Levi]

Posted: 8/4/04 at 5:28pm

Saw Norm as Curtis opposite Jennifer Holiday at the National Black Arts Festival production of Dreamgirls in Atalanta in 2002. Norm was, in a word, breathtaking. I had no idea that he possessed such a powerful, beautiful voice and he handled the role with ease. If, as often buzzed about, Dreamgirls finds its way back to Bway, he MUST do the role.

BTW: Saw Ramona Keller (currently one of the Radio trio in Caroline) as Lorrel and she was a hoot. Her voice gave me chills and she was funny as hell. Perfection.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 8/4/04 at 5:36pm

I was there. It was a week after 9/11 and the audience was especially amped because of it. Lewis was remarkable -- probably the most fully-realized performance of the night, from a vocal and acting perspective. Lillias White was fine -- I've heard her sing "And I Am Telling You" much better than she did that night (she ran out of gas halfway through), but acquited herself in Act II with a sublime "I Am Changing." Audra's voice is way too rich for Deena (too much vibrato for 60's pop music), but she did alright. Heather Headley had major problems negotiating Lorell's treacherously high tessitura (she was flat and struggled on all of her high notes in "Ain't No Party), but acted the part well. Billy Porter had a cold and was too raw at times (even for a screamer role like Jimmy Early), but overall was good. Darius de Haas was OK as CC (not crazy about his wide vibrato) and Tamara Tunie was out of her depth as Michelle.

The recording's main value is that it preserves the entire score for the first time commercially (the OBC represents barely a third of the music). Some of the real highlights of the score were not recorded for the OBC -- something longtime DREAMGIRLS fanatics like myself have cursed David Geffen for over the years -- so this recording is worth purchasing if only for that.

Updated On: 8/4/04 at 05:36 PM

Posted: 8/4/04 at 5:39pm

Thanks Margo - what you say is oh so true - but then, there's been a few things over the years that we've wanted to curse at David about

Dolly - it's hard for me to imagine Jennifer still doing this role - but god knows I'd be first in line to see her try!

This Norm Lewis sounds like quite the talent!

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 8/4/04 at 5:46pm

In addition to the Dreamgirls recording, listening to Norm on the OBC album of LaChiusa's Wild Party -- a gorgeous performance.

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 8/4/04 at 6:00pm

Norm is just an incredible performer and all around witty, humble and gracious guy. One of my favorites in this business.

I first met him through Rob Evan at Rob's China Club concert a number of years ago. He was invited by Rob to sing with him. (there's some photos on my fan photos of this one)

He doesn't have a website or a fan club, despite an e'norm'ous amount of very impressed fans. I don't think he acknowledges how much his talents are appreciated because whenever we chit chat, he always teasingly says "shut up", with the warmest smile you can imagine. He is the real "McCoy". His "Dreamboy" role awaits him. SHUT UP!

Updated On: 8/4/04 at 06:00 PM