Will Amber Riley led DREAMGIRLS transfer to Bway?

[Cfried]

Posted: 10/8/16 at 5:13pm

...because it needs to. I mean, just listen to her BELT! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxZevYx6vcw

[dramamama611]

Posted: 10/8/16 at 5:24pm

Her name won't sell tickets

[Sunny11]

Posted: 10/8/16 at 5:29pm

dramamama611 said: "Her name won't sell tickets

"

Darren Criss, Jane Lynch and Matthew Morrison all   had good commercial Broadway runs during or post Glee. Amber shouldn't be any different. 

[jayinchelsea]

Posted: 10/8/16 at 7:13pm

It's a pretty amazing rendition, she's already been on Broadway in AFTER MIDNIGHT (why doesn't that show up in her Broadway credits?), and a revival of DREAMGIRLS would be heaven, especially with her as Effie. If the London reviews are really good, watch for a transfer...

[Tag]

Posted: 10/8/16 at 7:24pm

^She wasn't on Broadway in After Midnight, she appeared in the off-Broadway version at City Center.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 10/8/16 at 7:30pm

dramamama611 said: "Her name won't sell tickets

 

"

Yeah, because shows like wicked, the color purple, school of Rock and so many more are reliant on names to sell tickets.

And i agree with sunny11, she will have no problem selling enough tickets.

[GreasedLightning]

Posted: 10/8/16 at 8:11pm

dramamama611 said: "Her name won't sell tickets

 

"

Who cares? Since when is that a deciding factor on if a property should make it to Broadway?

[RippedMan]

Posted: 10/8/16 at 9:25pm

A show like Dreamgirls doesn't really need a name to sell. It's not an unknown property. Having a TV actress who can also sing the crap out of the role? Just an added bonus. 

 

[icecreambenjamin]

Posted: 10/8/16 at 9:37pm

I've been waiting forever for a Dreamgirls revival, so I really hope it does transfer.  Amber Riley sounds fantastic!

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 10/8/16 at 10:08pm

I think the prospect of hearing and seeing "And I Am Telling You" live on a Broadway stage alone will get a number of people into a Dreamgirls revival. Like RippedMan said, it's definitely not an unknown property.

[Cupid Boy2]

Posted: 10/8/16 at 10:29pm

I think this would be much more interesting with Latrice Royale. 

[CindersGolightly]

Posted: 10/8/16 at 11:36pm

Cupid Boy2 said: "I think this would be much more interesting with Latrice Royale."

I was actually thinking the same thing, but about Nathan Lane.

[Jeremiah]

Posted: 10/8/16 at 11:57pm

Marisha Wallace would make a great Effie. She played the part in Dallas not too long ago. 

[icecreambenjamin]

Posted: 10/9/16 at 12:00am

Amber Riley will do just fine thank you.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 10/9/16 at 12:39am

Patrice Covington (currently in TCP as Squeak) was a stunning Effie in the tour. I'm a little fatigued by this show, but Amber would great. 

[BenjaminNicholas2]

Posted: 10/9/16 at 1:30am

Her version lacks anger and character.  She takes a LOT of vocal run inspiration from the Hudson version.  So far, it's well-sung, but it's bland to me.  I'll be more impressed to see her as Effie and be able to sustain this 8 times a week.

To get to that Holliday/Lillias White place, you've got to dig deep:  She hasn't gotten there yet and I'm willing to give her time to see if she can.

 

And speaking of Lillias, let's remind ourselves why she's a damned treasure:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8PaQNuHc1g

Updated On: 10/9/16 at 01:30 AM

[sparepart973]

Posted: 10/9/16 at 1:56am

BenjaminNicholas2 said: "Her version lacks anger and character.  She takes a LOT of vocal run inspiration from the Hudson version.  So far, it's well-sung, but it's bland to me.  I'll be more impressed to see her as Effie and be able to sustain this 8 times a week.
 

"

She'll do 7 shows a week. 

 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 10/9/16 at 2:08am

I wasn't implying she might not be good, great even.  My point is that her name isn't recognizable...the other actors from Glee had huge fan bases, that I see no evidence if Riley having.  

[binau]

Posted: 10/9/16 at 2:13am

I am surprised to learn that Amber has 1.2 million twitter followers, which is more than Matthew Morrison. Maybe she does have her fans.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 10/9/16 at 2:43am

I would imagine, though, that Morrisons fan base is older, with more disposable income.

 

I have never heard her name come up in any of my students conversations when discussing, theatre, pop culture, etc.

[Sunny11]

Posted: 10/9/16 at 4:26am

Glee was more popular, and was pop culturally relevent for longer  in the states than in the UK. If the West End producers consider Amber a draw then she would be more so for Broadway. 

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 10/9/16 at 8:19am

sparepart973 said: "BenjaminNicholas2 said: "Her version lacks anger and character.  She takes a LOT of vocal run inspiration from the Hudson version.  So far, it's well-sung, but it's bland to me.  I'll be more impressed to see her as Effie and be able to sustain this 8 times a week.
 

"

She'll do 7 shows a week. 

 

 

"

Isn't she doing six? She has 2 alternates.

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 10/9/16 at 8:21am

Let's see how the reviews are first. The NY Times will likely file a report and that usually dictates the fate of a transfer to Broadway.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 10/9/16 at 11:49am

I would love to listen to this in the context of the show. As it is, I think it's a perfectly fine, unremarkable rendition of the song. I don't think her acting is strong enough to play Effie. I'd rather see Danielle Brooks.

[Jessetenny]

Posted: 10/9/16 at 4:45pm

ray-andallthatjazz86 said: "I would love to listen to this in the context of the show. As it is, I think it's a perfectly fine, unremarkable rendition of the song. I don't think her acting is strong enough to play Effie. I'd rather see Danielle Brooks.

 

"

I don't think her voice could handle it.