USA Today Article on Dreamgirls- Page 2

[Mikey4]

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

Hey, my first reply on this site. Well, here goes my big DG story. I had the privilage last month of filming a scene in "Dreamgirls". I had two lines as a reporter asking Jen Hudson some quetions in a red carpet scene. What I know and saw was this...Bill Condon from hour one to hour twelve when we wrapped at 6 am was a complete gentleman. He worked with Jeniffer with great respect and kindness. Jennifer was also a doll. Jaime Foxx was great. Beyonce and Eddie were not in my scene. The script(of which I recieved around 7 revisions over 2 months proir to filming, even with my little part) seems to keep much of the integrity of the original. I don't wanna give much away but wait till you see how he's expanded in montage the rise of the dreamettes and other songs. Something the stage unfortunately couldn't do. You also see some more of Effie's later backstory. My red carpet scene(not in the stage play), does a great job of advancing the story too. On a side note...When I heard they were finally doing this last spring, I figured they were probably going to expand the cast it being a movie so I wrote the casting director and told her that if she needed any forty something reporters, etc, that i would love to audition. I also added that Michael Bennett actually hired me as a "Dave" vacation replacement back in "84" but the show closed before I could be put in and that it always had a place in my heart. And now, sorry to sound so cheesy, one of MY longtime "DREAMS" has been realized. Thanks for reading all this and I think this is gonna be one great transfer from stage to screen.

[Kringas]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 3:14am

Is "Heavy" still in it?

[Mikey4]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 3:37am

I'm sorry but I don't think I should start a precident of telling what's in it. I really don't mean to be rude but I know there are alot of us out there who have fav parts. Please forgive me. Maybe it will be better as a surprise for all. Thanks.

[Kringas]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 4:08am

It's okay. I was just asking. Chill.

[TonyaFanatic]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 11:09am

in twotrey's article kreiger said that the four new songs are " in addition to the existing score" that gives me goosebumps.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 11:14am

Yes, "Heavy" is still in it. I specifically asked a production source very close to Condon and he confirmed that Condon kept it in (which is SO smart because it takes care of a ton of exposition in just a few minutes and keeps the show moving and foreshadows the climactic firing of Effie).

[best12bars]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 11:47am

Mikey4---Thanks for such a classy post. I appreciate your restraint in telling everyone in advance what IS and ISN'T in the film.

[Mikey4]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 1:48pm

Hey Twotrey, I live in L.A. so if you ever want someone to carry your reporter pad or camera to the next DreamGirls event, I'd love to. I guess they probably will never invite us smaller actors in the movie to stuff like that.

[TonyaFanatic]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 4:26pm

"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."

absolutely. no one can judge the performances of anyone yet seeing as how the film isnt even finished yet.

[Kringas]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 4:45pm

Thanks, Margo. "Heavy" is my absolute favorite number in the show, so I'm happy to know at this point it's still in there.

[Thetruth]

Posted: 3/2/06 at 4:04pm

"it was singer Faith Evans in what amounted to little more than a cameo, who was the impressive one. "

Faith Evans sounded like she was reading off of a cue card. This comment is laughable.

[TennesseeTwang]

Posted: 3/2/06 at 8:52pm

Aww now Thetruth, don't take it out on Faith because Beyonce's work was weak.