Will Amber Riley led DREAMGIRLS transfer to Bway?
Will Amber Riley led DREAMGIRLS transfer to Bway?
Cfried
Broadway Star Joined: 9/15/16
#1Will Amber Riley led DREAMGIRLS transfer to Bway?
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
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#2Will Amber Riley led DREAMGIRLS transfer to Bway?
Posted: 10/8/16 at 5:24pm
Her name won't sell tickets
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
Sunny11
Broadway Star Joined: 9/3/14
#3Will Amber Riley led DREAMGIRLS transfer to Bway?
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.
#4Will Amber Riley led DREAMGIRLS transfer to Bway?
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
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/19/05
#5Will Amber Riley led DREAMGIRLS transfer to Bway?
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.
#6Will Amber Riley led DREAMGIRLS transfer to Bway?
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.
In our millions, in our billions, we are most powerful when we stand together. TW4C unwaveringly joins the worldwide masses, for we know our liberation is inseparably bound.
Signed,
Theater Workers for a Ceasefire
https://theaterworkersforaceasefire.com/statement
GreasedLightning
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/11/14
#7Will Amber Riley led DREAMGIRLS transfer to Bway?
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
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/14/05
#8Will Amber Riley led DREAMGIRLS transfer to Bway?
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.
#9Will Amber Riley led DREAMGIRLS transfer to Bway?
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
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/24/15
#10Will Amber Riley led DREAMGIRLS transfer to Bway?
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
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/5/13
#11Will Amber Riley led DREAMGIRLS transfer to Bway?
Posted: 10/8/16 at 10:29pm
I think this would be much more interesting with Latrice Royale.
#12Will Amber Riley led DREAMGIRLS transfer to Bway?
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.
They/them.
"Get up the nerve to be all you deserve to be."
Jeremiah
Swing Joined: 11/21/05
#13Will Amber Riley led DREAMGIRLS transfer to Bway?
Posted: 10/8/16 at 11:57pm
Marisha Wallace would make a great Effie. She played the part in Dallas not too long ago.
#14Will Amber Riley led DREAMGIRLS transfer to Bway?
Posted: 10/9/16 at 12:00am
Amber Riley will do just fine thank you.
#15Will Amber Riley led DREAMGIRLS transfer to Bway?
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.
"The sexual energy between the mother and son really concerns me!"-random woman behind me at Next to Normal
"I want to meet him after and bang him!"-random woman who exposed her breasts at Rock of Ages, referring to James Carpinello
#16Will Amber Riley led DREAMGIRLS transfer to Bway?
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
sparepart973
Broadway Star Joined: 4/7/12
#17Will Amber Riley led DREAMGIRLS transfer to Bway?
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
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#18Will Amber Riley led DREAMGIRLS transfer to Bway?
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.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
#19Will Amber Riley led DREAMGIRLS transfer to Bway?
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.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#20Will Amber Riley led DREAMGIRLS transfer to Bway?
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.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
Sunny11
Broadway Star Joined: 9/3/14
#21Will Amber Riley led DREAMGIRLS transfer to Bway?
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.
#22Will Amber Riley led DREAMGIRLS transfer to Bway?
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.
In our millions, in our billions, we are most powerful when we stand together. TW4C unwaveringly joins the worldwide masses, for we know our liberation is inseparably bound.
Signed,
Theater Workers for a Ceasefire
https://theaterworkersforaceasefire.com/statement
#23Will Amber Riley led DREAMGIRLS transfer to Bway?
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.
“I knew who I was this morning, but I've changed a few times since then.”
#24Will Amber Riley led DREAMGIRLS transfer to Bway?
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.
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"
#25Will Amber Riley led DREAMGIRLS transfer to Bway?
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.
