Sheryl Lee Ralph speaks on Dreamgirls- Page 2

[apdarcey]

Posted: 6/26/06 at 2:45pm

but isn't ralph arguing that deena should be as "obviously black" as effie. she's not arguing for a lighter skinned deena, even though to the majority of us that point seems to make more sense.

she's saying they should be as "obviously black" as each other because deena still has to be pushed to the top. whereas if she were lighter she wouldn't have to be, it would just be natural.

[TonyaFanatic]

Posted: 6/26/06 at 3:07pm

the point im trying to make is this, how can you say beyonce is a light, bright, blackish blonde girl when Aaliyah was just as light, had just as many whitish features to her and turn around and say something like this? it's confusing and a little contradictory....i don thing b was cast because she was light-skinned, but i don think it will hurt the story either.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 6/26/06 at 3:22pm

Morosco, not sure if you've seen a stage production of Dreamgirls, but there is a point where the girls are on a television show, and Effie notices that the camera is only focused on Deena.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 6/26/06 at 4:32pm

Dottie - I believe morosco was quoting one of the lines in the show.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 6/26/06 at 4:44pm

"Believe or not in the 1980's when Dreamgirls opened we completely changed theater, we changed who came to the theater, and who was interested in theater. And now 25 years later, people find it so easy to act like we didn't do what we did."

Yeah, right. Keep dreaming.

[best12bars]

Posted: 6/26/06 at 4:48pm

Apparently ethnically and culturally diverse audiences had never heard of Broadway before "Dreamgirls," according to Ms. Ralph.

Her statement is kinda insulting to the entire history of the American Musical. It may have brought black audiences back into the theatre after a bit of a lull, but it certainly didn't introduce them to the concept.

Updated On: 6/26/06 at 04:48 PM

[Gothampc]

Posted: 6/26/06 at 5:30pm

"Her statement is kinda insulting to the entire history of the American Musical."

I guess she never heard of (all pre-Dreamgirls):
Pearl Bailey & Cab Calloway in Hello Dolly
1976 revival of Guys & Dolls
Raisin
Purlie
The Wiz
Ain't Misbehavin
Bubbling Brown Sugar
Eubie!
You're Arms Too Short to Box with God
Lena Horne: Lady & Her Music
One Mo' Time

Updated On: 6/26/06 at 05:30 PM

[evilNpunk]

Posted: 6/26/06 at 5:40pm

Updated On: 12/2/14 at 05:40 PM

[best12bars]

Posted: 6/26/06 at 5:48pm

Well, looking at the trio of ladies that they cast in the film, it's a "photo finish" as to who's the fairest of them all. It depends on the shot you're looking at, and the lighting used in that shot. I'd say it's a toss of the coin as to how black their skin tones are.

...and the fact that I'm even typing that is kinda sad and unnecessary.

Even though that's what Ms. Ralph meant by her comment, it comes off as more of a racial slam directed at the casting of Beyonce for not being obviously black enough, as she says.

[NYC4Life]

Posted: 6/26/06 at 6:16pm

"Patti and Glady's came later."

Gladys Knight and the Pips had their first big hit in 61 with "Every Beat Of My Heart" i think it was in the top 5 singles.

Patti Labelle and the Bluebelles had their first big hit in 63 i think with "Down the Aisle".

So what do u mean by they were later, they were big when the supremes were big. Isn't that the time Dreamgirls takes place?

[ozone20]

Posted: 6/27/06 at 9:28am

Someone was referring to Taral Hicks (dark skin very pretty voice) for the role of Deena from A Bronx Tale and Mama I Want To Sing. She is the sister of D'atra Hicks who was also from "Mama" and understudy for BJ crosby in smokey Joes.
Updated On: 6/27/06 at 09:28 AM

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 11/9/13 at 3:30pm

Sheryl sings a Dreamgirls medley on Rosie O

[theatregeek6]

Posted: 11/9/13 at 4:53pm

Where do you people even FIND a 7 year old post to revive??

Posted: 11/9/13 at 7:53pm

This could have warranted its own thread.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 11/9/13 at 8:13pm

Yea, about 15 years ago.

How old is that clip?!

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 11/9/13 at 9:11pm

No matter what you think of Rosie, her show was amazing with the amount of broadway talent she got to perform.

[PattyO'Furniture]

Posted: 11/9/13 at 10:17pm

Agreed. I got my Broadway from her and the Tonys as a far-removed-from-Bway teenager.

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 11/9/13 at 11:12pm

Well, color me surprised. I always thought one of the points of the show was that Deena--as played by Ralph--was closer to white concepts of what a pop singer should be, NOT that she was as "black" as Effie.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 11/10/13 at 9:41am

I find this statement to be really disturbing and delusional:

And now 25 years later, people find it so easy to act like we didn't do what we did.

What is she talking about? Who are these "people" she is referring to. If anything the filmmakers always gave credit where credit is due in regards to the show and it's place in musical theater history. I know this interview is 7 years old but she's so off base with that comment.

I hope she realized she wasn't the first or the last Broadway performer not to reprise their stage role in a film version. I think that's where the animosity stems from. So many years had passed and still no film version so I guess those in the original cast thought it would never happen and they would be "it".

When the movie finally came to fruition the thought of other actors "taking over" those roles became a threat.