RIALTAH CHATTAH: "Dreamgirls" to Settle in on Broadway?

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 12/1/09 at 10:53pm

I've been hearing some rumors that after it finishes its national tour, the producers of "Dreamgirls", which is "eh"-ing audiences over at the Apollo until the holidays, are looking to plop the show down in a Broadway theatre, much like the first, long-forgotten revival of Dreamgirls did. It could be a good idea if the cast got a little sprucing up (this all-unknowns thing would not cut it) and a director was brought in who knew how to direct and not just come up with pretty dance steps (ROBERT LONGBOTTOM). Then again, I guess it wouldn't really be the national tour at all.

Can we just get a Dreamgirls revival?

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 12/1/09 at 10:59pm

I feel like the response has been mixed to positive from most people I've talked to. I've heard extensive clips and while I HOPE that maybe a few changes will be made to the book in terms of what they cut and/or changed but from what I've heard of the girls (who most people say are the weakest links), I think they seem to have a semi decent grasp on what they're doing, and maybe the tour - if it really does seriously have its eye on Broadway - will do what a pre-Broadway tour should do, which is to strengthen what's already good and improve what's not quite as good yet.

I'm was on the fence at first about it, but I'm looking forward to seeing it next month.

[TalkinLoud]

Posted: 12/1/09 at 11:00pm

The production is no good. If they want to revive Dreamgirls, fine, but they need a whole new production.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 12/1/09 at 11:13pm

Maybe it's just who I've been listening to, but I swear I've heard more good than bad.

[WishingOnlyWounds2]

Posted: 12/1/09 at 11:14pm

Robert Longbottom did not do as bad with this production as people are making it out to be.

My one big problem with the show is at some points the stage is completely empty except for the actors... during the song "Listen," for example... they need at lease some lighting effects during that, the song gets lost. Sometimes that technique works, but for this show it doesn't.

As far as casting goes, they don't need big names... the show has enough appeal to all different ages and is known well enough thanks to the movie to survive.


And, from the little asking I did around the Apollo on Sunday, it will be transferring. Same cast, same production.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 12/1/09 at 11:55pm

About .... four, maybe three years ago I saw a professional production of Dreamgirls. It was not the Michael Bennett staging. It got surprisingly - to me - decent reviews, because I thought it was terrible. Painful at times. I had seen J Hol reprise Effie a few years before in Atlanta, and I while it was not perfect, I left it how I think one SHOULD feel leaving Dreamgirls. Sort of exhilarated, maybe a little teary.

Despite my initial negative reactions, I'm really hoping for the best and can't wait to go. And find out WHEN I'm going. They were a gift, but they haven't arrived yet, and I think it would be tacky for me to ask.

[iamchanging9]

Posted: 12/2/09 at 12:20am

I hope not. I truly found this production to be one of the worst nights I've had at the theater in a very long time.

[MusicSnob1]

Posted: 12/2/09 at 12:31am

"As far as casting goes they don't need big names"

Ohh, how wrong you are...

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 12/2/09 at 1:21am

I wonder if I am a big enough name to play Deena. Or at least maybe Lorrell. Or Frank!

[MusicSnob1]

Posted: 12/2/09 at 1:29am

PRS - you could fill any house. You are a star. You're bigger than Nick Adams and Spencer Liff put together, baby.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 12/2/09 at 1:47pm

Maybe I will play ALL the parts!

[mywonderwa11]

Posted: 12/2/09 at 1:56pm

I actually liked this production. Bobby Longbottom didn't do NEARLY as bad a job on this as he did with Bye Bye Birdie. I actually found the choreography to be more dull than the direction.

Most of the problems I had with this production were with the creative team. The choreography fell flat, the costumes were sometimes a mess (some of those wigs...ugh), and I sometimes liked and sometimes hated the projections (especially the ones during curtain call, ew).

And I slightly agree with WishingOnlyWounds2...the show itself is already well known. Big names would certainly help and encourage people to head to the show, but it doesn't necessarily NEED big names to be successful. There are always shows that are successful because of the show itself, not the actors in it. We can thank the movie for spreading knowledge of the show.

[tazber]

Posted: 12/2/09 at 1:56pm

Phyl, those tix I sent you and kringas are for next Saturday night.

ETA - btw, you are totally James Thunder Early.

Updated On: 12/2/09 at 01:56 PM