Dreamgirls to open in the West End

[RW3]

Posted: 2/4/16 at 6:34pm

and Amber Riley is Effie White!

http://www.westendframe.com/2016/02/its-official-dreamgirls-to-open-at.html

[pupscotch]

Posted: 2/4/16 at 6:38pm

I hope there is a Broadway transfer!!!

Updated On: 2/4/16 at 06:38 PM

[CindersGolightly]

Posted: 2/4/16 at 6:38pm

Cast recording and Broadway transfer, cast recording and Broadway transfer, cast recording and Broadway transfer, cast recording and Broadway tranSFER PLEASE.

Posted: 2/4/16 at 6:48pm

OMG!!!!!

[gypsy101]

Posted: 2/4/16 at 6:58pm

THIS NEWS IS SO WONDERFUL!!!!! I've changed the title of the thread to reflect this fantastic news.

[gstrus2]

Posted: 2/4/16 at 7:00pm

God, I hope this transfers to Broadway. 

[NOWaWarning]

Posted: 2/4/16 at 7:05pm

Amazing news! I'm so happy that she's doing more theatre. She was the MVP of the Wiz, to me. And it's doubly exciting that Casey Nicholaw is directing! I can't wait to see what he does with it.

[Shrek3]

Posted: 2/4/16 at 7:06pm

Well aint that perfect. 

[Sunny11]

Posted: 2/4/16 at 7:08pm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VG3rOVB9WeI

 

[Wildcard]

Posted: 2/4/16 at 7:31pm

Wait and see if it's any good first before wishing for a Broadway transfer

[mistermanifesto]

Posted: 2/4/16 at 7:34pm

I don't know how y'all felt about it, but the star of The Wiz Live was Amber Riley. She killed it. The charisma, emotive singing was there. Amber Riley will do the role Justice. 

Updated On: 2/4/16 at 07:34 PM

[DAME]

Posted: 2/4/16 at 7:38pm

She is a horrible actress.  She is all shtick. 

[ChildofEarth]

Posted: 2/4/16 at 7:40pm

This is exciting for her and she's a great singer. 

As over revivals as I am (and this was JUST done), I wouldn't mind it coming over.

[Shrek3]

Posted: 2/4/16 at 7:45pm

I don't know how y'all felt about it, but the star of The Wiz Live was Amber Riley. She killed it. The charisma, emotive singing was there. Amber Riley will do the role Justice. 

 

Exactly. She was the best thing about the WIZ. She's going to own this. Congrats to her.

[E.Davis]

Posted: 2/4/16 at 7:49pm

ChildofEarth said: "This is exciting for her and she's a great singer. 

As over revivals as I am (and this was JUST done), I wouldn't mind it coming over.

 

What revival are you talking about? The 2001 Actors Fund Concert or the 2009 tour that took aspects of the 2006 film version. Theres never been a Broadway revival of this one since '87.

Updated On: 2/4/16 at 07:49 PM

[pupscotch]

Posted: 2/4/16 at 7:51pm

ChildofEarth said: "This is exciting for her and she's a great singer. 

 

As over revivals as I am (and this was JUST done), I wouldn't mind it coming over.

 

"

There hasn't been a revival since 1987. It's high time Dreamgirls was revived.

 

[gypsy101]

Posted: 2/4/16 at 7:56pm

ChildofEarth said: "This is exciting for her and she's a great singer. As over revivals as I am (and this was JUST done), I wouldn't mind it coming over."

 

Yeah, what are you talking about was just done? The movie version was 10 years ago but it hasn't been on Broadway in like 30 years.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 2/4/16 at 7:56pm

I could see this becoming one of fox's live musicals.

[Dave19]

Posted: 2/4/16 at 8:43pm

I think this is perfect casting.

 

I wish she was old enough for the role when the film version came out.

[NJ_BroadwayGirl]

Posted: 2/4/16 at 9:56pm

I'm such a fan of Amber's and so happy for her. This will be wonderful. She was rejected by the producers of American Idol when she was 17 ... Her perseverance has long since shown them what they missed. 

[BobbyBubbi]

Posted: 2/4/16 at 10:01pm

The thing I love most about Dreamgirls is the juxtaposition of true Broadway glitz and grit. Which was indicative of Times Square and New York at the time. It is also indicative of London right now. 

 

The film lacked this quality. It was too polished and very mechanical. Here’s to hoping the revival can recapture some of those visceral attributes. 

I was surprised, after a quick look at the Wiki page, that this will be first West End production. Were there any whispers of a London transfer for the initial '81 production? Or any production preceding this one for that matter? 

 

Updated On: 2/4/16 at 10:01 PM

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 2/4/16 at 10:08pm

She was hardly the MVP of THE WIZ, that title rightfully goes to Sharice Williams. Riley has a very charismatic presence that's unlike the majority of those GLEE kids, but I've never thought of her acting as being particularly interesting or deep. To be fair, Jennifer Holliday's TV acting is pretty terrible and she is the definitive Effie, yet I don't see Riley being able to pull off the huge task of succeeding Holliday. 

I actually randomly decided to pop in my Blu-Ray of the film this past weekend and while some of the scenes are outstanding, the whole thing just deflates the more it goes on, and the transitions from scene to scene are jarring, not to mention the fact that there isn't a "book" musical number until well into 30 minutes of the movie.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 2/4/16 at 10:13pm

After3ight is turning over in his urn. 

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 2/4/16 at 10:38pm

I actually randomly decided to pop in my Blu-Ray of the film this past weekend and while some of the scenes are outstanding, the whole thing just deflates the more it goes on, and the transitions from scene to scene are jarring, not to mention the fact that there isn't a "book" musical number until well into 30 minutes of the movie.

 

It really seems to have disappeared from the public consciousness, Hudson's Oscar be damned.   Every time I think about watching it, I remember something stupid about it, like how Danny Glover talked so quietly or how Loretta Devine seemed drunk and insane, or that stupid Michael Jackson kid and I just can't. 

 

I thought Reilly was the weakest actor in The Wiz, but she was also saddled with that stupid Apple joke, some I have a little compassion. 

[Kavana]

Posted: 2/4/16 at 10:39pm

They should have created a new star for the Original West end cast of this. Idk...Dreamgirls is THE SHOW to show those vocals.