USA Today Article on Dreamgirls

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 2/28/06 at 10:24am

From USA Today:

"In a show of confidence, DreamWorks and Paramount Pictures, the studios behind the estimated $70 million showbiz saga about a girl group based on The Supremes, invited 450 media types to the film's set at the Orpheum Theatre on Monday night. That is on top of putting out a teaser trailer a full year before the opening Dec. 22. The official website (dreamgirls.dreamworks.com) features a behind-the-scenes video and photos.

The early hoopla is an attempt to reach out to an audience beyond fans of the stage show. Neither Phantom, Rent nor The Producers went far enough to turn a stage production into a cinematic experience, says Craig Zadan, a Chicago executive producer who is overseeing next year's Hairspray with partner Neil Meron. Rent and The Producers "were loyal to a fault to Broadway audiences," Zadan says, even hiring most of the original casts. With the 10-year-old Rent, "they all looked 35 and were playing 18."

The trick to a successful transfer to the big screen, Meron says, "is to honor the roots but do the movie." That is what writer and director Bill Condon, Oscar-nominated for his Chicago script, hopes to do with Dreamgirls. Like Chicago, the Motown-inspired Dreamgirls features A-list talent: R&B queen Beyoncé Knowles, Jamie Foxx and Eddie Murphy. For extra youth appeal, there's Jennifer Hudson, the six-octave American Idol dynamo who makes her movie debut in the pivotal role of Effie.

Condon revealed to USA TODAY earlier that instead of telling the story through song, as in the Broadway version, he has added spoken dialogue. "It is a realistic medium," he says. "And Dreamgirls is a very emotional, somewhat gritty story grounded in reality."


http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2006-02-27-dreamgirls_x.htm

[Pippin]

Posted: 2/28/06 at 10:59am

I hope they weren't lazy a'la rent and just turned the recatitives into the dialogue. that was one of the worst decisions for rent. I understand that the film will be a different medium, but let's try some class on this go around.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 2/28/06 at 11:08am

Well I certainly agree that the major flaws with the film versions of RENT, THE PRODUCERS and PHANTOM are unimaginative rethinkings of the material for the screen. Condon is a good director - hopefully he'll be able to make DREAMGIRLS pop.

[Pippin]

Posted: 2/28/06 at 11:25am

I have faith that he will not only deliver, but there will be definate oscar hype over the film this time next year.

[TonyaFanatic]

Posted: 2/28/06 at 5:04pm

did anyone on here go to the preview? wed love to hear how u felt.

[TheaterAddict7652]

Posted: 2/28/06 at 5:08pm

I personally am feeling a little iffy about the movie, simply because I really don't think that Beyoncé Knowles or Jennifer Hudson can act. Hopefully I'll be surprised!

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 2/28/06 at 5:21pm

And I am telling you, Oscar, you're not going... to ANYTHING other than Dreamgirls!

Dreamgirls, the one to beat!

[EvelynNesbit1906]

Posted: 2/28/06 at 5:33pm

It should be interesting to see what conceit he has come up with for staging the musical numbers, assuming that there's going to be some consistency (I've never seen the show but from what I hear, not every song is a stage performance).

Already I doubt Beyonce and Jennifer Hudson. But, if Bill Condon can make Brendan Fraser deliver a credible dramatic performance, then he may be able to do the same with the idols.

[NYC4Life]

Posted: 2/28/06 at 5:35pm

Has Jennifer Hudson done a musical before?

[OasisBroadway]

Posted: 2/28/06 at 5:42pm

[threadjack]

Evelyn, love your avatar and quote.

[/endthreadjack]

[EvelynNesbit1906]

Posted: 2/28/06 at 5:48pm

Glad you said so. I was thinking about changing both.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 2/28/06 at 5:51pm

I am NOT one of your FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANSSSSSS!

[EvelynNesbit1906]

Posted: 2/28/06 at 5:57pm

People have made powerful screen debuts, even garnered Oscar nominations for them. Hopefully Condon's screenplay challenges Beyonce and Hudson as actors instead of trying to mask their weaknesses with too much singing. I see no reason to doubt Jamie Foxx or Eddie Murphy.

munk and Oasis, I hope you have both visited the OT board for some good news. :)

[TennesseeTwang]

Posted: 2/28/06 at 7:17pm

Well said EvelynNesbi1906. I'll admit to uneasiness concerning Beyonce and Jennifer's skills as actresses. "Bouncey" has been in three movies and has yet to rise to even a mediocre acting level. But Eddie and Jamie should both be excellent. They could even switch parts and still be superb.

[NYC4Life]

Posted: 2/28/06 at 7:41pm

I just read that this is Jennifer Hudsons first acting role. How on earth can someone say "I really don't think that Jennifer Hudson can act." That is really odd to me. Alot of people are amazing in their first roles. I doubt they would have cast someone that has no acting skills and not really a big fan base just for the heck of it. As for Beyonce she really has not proved herself as an amazing actor but the films and roles she has been in are really limited. I have high hopes for the girls but maybe that is just because i like to think positive and wish people luck.

[TheaterAddict7652]

Posted: 2/28/06 at 7:53pm

How on earth can someone say "I really don't think that Jennifer Hudson can act."

I don't mean to insult you, NYC4Life, but I just don't have faith in anyone who got famous from a reality tv singing contest to be able to act well.

[NYC4Life]

Posted: 2/28/06 at 8:00pm

I dont find it an insult. It is just seems weird to me. I just have no idea who she is. I have heard her sing and think she is great. Who would have thought Diana Ross could act, but she gave one of the best female performances of the 70's in Lady Sings the Blues. Raw and real. I would have never thought Cher would be a great actress but she blew me away in Silkwood and Moonstruck. Who knows it is all a toss up.

[TonyaFanatic]

Posted: 2/28/06 at 8:35pm

i kinda still dont understand what her being in a reality tv show has to do with anyone's potential to be a good actor.

[TheaterAddict7652]

Posted: 2/28/06 at 10:06pm

Exactly, that's why I have little faith in her acting skills

[TheQuibbler]

Posted: 2/28/06 at 10:34pm

I'm with NYC4Life, I don't think it's fair to judge Jennifer Hudson. There's no reason to have low expectations. You have to start somewhere.

[TennesseeTwang]

Posted: 2/28/06 at 11:27pm

"As for Beyonce she really has not proved herself as an amazing actor but the films and roles she has been in are really limited."

That's true of her roles in Austin Powers and The Pink Panther. But she had the female lead in The Fighting Temptations.

Despite the fact that the role was not that demanding, Bey came across as a pure amateur. Ironically, in a vehicle that was supposed to be a coming out party for Beyonce, it was singer Faith Evans in what amounted to little more than a cameo, who was the impressive one.

[NYC4Life]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 12:51am

The Fighting Temptations was a pretty boring movie with mediocre writing and directing. Maybe she has improved as an actress or maybe has not had a role that was interesting enough like Kim Basinger, Queen Latifah, or Heath Ledger. All 3 of them are examples of people that have been in and have given pretty poor performances, but have also had breakthroughs. I am not some huge Beyonce fan, I just think people limit people.

[WigInABox]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 1:11am

Another story on the press preview. Glad that Anika is finally getting some press!
Briefly on the set of 'dreamgirls'

[catstagestud]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 1:54am

I'm stoked for this film. I have faith in Condon to make great cinematic choices for it's transfer from stage to film. As for Beyonce, I've been kinda leary about her in the role of Deena but to be honest Beyonce IS Deena I think. I think I may have voted for Hudson hundreds of times during AI's 3rd season...She's got the voice to carry her own and I don't think that Condon would have her playing Effie if he didn't feel that she'd deliver in the acting because under all that amazing music lies the raw emotion of a woman who's fighting...I can't wait to see how this movie turns out.

Cheers,

C.

[twotrey]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 3:10am

I was there on Monday night.
My report from the DREAMGIRLS set visit event