re: Jennifer Holliday strikes again- Page 2

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 12/12/06 at 1:01pm

Once again, this is classic depression and, as a sufferer myself, I know that acting-career dissapointments/frustrations/screwovers (perceived and real) set it off more than anything else. I feel for her, I really do. I just wish she had a friend or something to tell her to chill out a bit. Maybe she doesn't, which makes it even more sad.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 12/12/06 at 1:03pm

Classic depression - but with a camera and a mic.

[istoleatv]

Posted: 12/12/06 at 1:17pm

Patti LuPone has spoken out on Evita, and Ethel sure did on Gypsy. The only difference, is that all the actresses who were snubbed by Hollywood, had other projects going on and moved on. I don't think Jennifer Holliday has had another Broadway show since, nor does she probably want one. I heard the interview she did with Wendy Williams, and she doesn't sound that upset - she just wants to keep working. She made a comment about "why can't Jennifer Hudson sing the song, and I sing the song" which makes me think she legally can't sing the song. But ya, she needs to get paid for them using her voice on the early trailer. Loretta Devine has a good agent, and has been working in film for a long time. She was great in the movie, by the way, but purple isn't her color! Jennifer Hudson has given interviews and said that she would faint if she met Jennifer Holliday and that she has listened to her music growing up.

[morosco]

Posted: 12/12/06 at 1:30pm

"...instead of being ungrateful she should be gracious and thankful that the films success is throwing a little much-needed attention her way..."

Good point. Now would be a great opportunity to display some humility. Instead she has chosen to act like a spoiled bratwurst.

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 12/12/06 at 1:47pm

Yeah I really think she needs help. It's interesting that a woman who sings gospel has become so down and depressed. I feel bad for her.

[Kringas]

Posted: 12/12/06 at 1:51pm

It's interesting that a woman who sings gospel has become so down and depressed.

Is gospel music known for raising serotonin levels?

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 12/12/06 at 1:53pm

ummm no but the gospel you're supposed to sing about is.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 12/12/06 at 1:53pm

Holliday played Teen Angel in the GREASE revival and Mama Morton in CHICAGO on Broadway since DREAMGIRLS and starred as Bessie Smith in a self-penned Off-Broadway show called DOWNHEARTED BLUES. She also toured a couple of shows (SING MAHALIA SING and Maurice Hines' HARLEM SUITE) back in the 80s that never made it to Broadway (the former because Bennett told her that the Mahalia Jackson vehicle wasn't a good enough show for her to make her return to Broadway in -- true, perhaps, but she was incredible in it and she'd have at least gotten a Tony nod for her performance that was, if anything, more impressive vocally than her Effie was). She's also done Effie a few other times and will be doing it again next July in Atlanta at the Black Arts Festival.

She's made a lot of mistakes, had some bad breaks and also gotten some terrible advice throughout the years that has prevented her from achieving the level of fame that her talent deserved. Damn right she's bitter -- though, sadly, her failed career is as much her fault as anyone else's.

It'd be nice if she got another shot at the big time one of these days. The woman still gets a standing ovation every time she opens her mouth and can stop a show faster than almost anyone in the business. Perhaps, if THE WIZ revival happens (or if the producers of HAIRPSRAY want to give her a chance at Motormouth Mabel), she'll get a shot at moving out the shadow of DREAMGIRLS for a little while (though she'll never fully escape it).

Updated On: 12/12/06 at 01:53 PM

[mateo]

Posted: 12/12/06 at 1:55pm

Holliday singing "I know where Ive been" - thats something I'd LOVE to hear.

[Mischief]

Posted: 12/12/06 at 1:56pm

Ms. Holliday is bound and determined to make sure it's not over until the fat lady sings.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 12/12/06 at 1:56pm

If DREAMGIRLS ever gets revived on Broadway, I would hate to see the meltdown Holiday would have over that.


She should be in PORGY AND BESS!

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 12/12/06 at 1:58pm

Well it sounds like she doesn't want to be out of the shadows of Dreamgirls. To her it's her legacy. She wants to always be remembered for that. I think it's her Hello Dolly.

[Kringas]

Posted: 12/12/06 at 1:58pm

ummm no but the gospel you're supposed to sing about is.

Really?

This may be a threadjack, but why do you use a variation of "Ummmmm" in so many of your posts?

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 12/12/06 at 2:02pm

That's a really good comparison, jazzy. It IS her Dolly. Both Holiday and Channing are both crazy...in two totally different ways.

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 12/12/06 at 2:03pm

because it's my own personally way of saying "is this a real question" without being really nasty.

[best12bars]

Posted: 12/12/06 at 2:03pm

Munk---Holliday would chew that Gershwin score into big fat mess. It's not for her. She would have to tone it down so far that she wouldn't be "Jennifer Holliday" anymore. So why cast her?

Now, Holliday as Motormouth Mabel would be great... if she could check her ego at the door.

Margo---It's a shame that Mahalia Jackson vehicle never made it to Broadway. Sometimes you can hold out TOO long for a "quality train" that's never going to come.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 12/12/06 at 2:04pm

I know that there's really nothing for Holliday in PORGY, but I was sort of thinking they could Lilias White-something up, a la "Brotherhood of Man."

But really, I wasn't serious.

[Kringas]

Posted: 12/12/06 at 2:04pm

because it's my own personally way of saying "is this a real question" without being really nasty.

Ummmmmm, okay.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 12/12/06 at 2:05pm

?

[best12bars]

Posted: 12/12/06 at 2:06pm

I would like to see her on Broadway again too!

Hairspray would be the best fit as of now.

What about The Color Purple? Quick!!!

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 12/12/06 at 2:06pm

BEst12Bars have you heard the clips from the London production that's supposed to come over? Yeeaaaah I think Jennifer might fit with the way they're singing that stuff...no it's not a good thing.

[best12bars]

Posted: 12/12/06 at 2:07pm

Eeeewwwww, really?

Are they riffin'-and-wailin' it up?

I don't think I could bare to listen to the clips then...

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 12/12/06 at 2:10pm

I've seen PORGY & BESS several times over the years (and heard over a dozen recordings of it) and just don't see what in the world Holliday could play in it. She doesn't have the right voice for Bess, Serena or Clara (and is pushing it age-wise for those). Maria only has one solo -- that's often cut in performance (I think it's cut from this streamlined Trevor Nunn revision). And I can't imagine her wanting to do The Strawberry Woman -- less than 5 minutes of stage time (assuming it's not cut as well).

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 12/12/06 at 2:10pm

noo they're not riffing at all...they just sit there. Which would be fun but they're musical theatre voices(and not the best ones either). I find it very boring and destructive to the score.

Porgy Clips Updated On: 12/12/06 at 02:10 PM

[best12bars]

Posted: 12/12/06 at 2:12pm

Poo--HHHOORRRRR---gy, I's yo-ahhh woooooaaaahhh-mun no---HAAAAAA-oowwww. I IS-ah... I-iiii IS-ah!!!