Dreamgirls Script

[bare_nakedlady]

Posted: 1/11/07 at 6:35pm

I keep hearing from people and reading in these posts how much better the movie's script is than the original source material. I would love to read the original, but I can't seem to find it anywhere. My instinct tells me that it never was released as a script. I know they are releasing the movie version, but does anyone know where I could find the original???

[cheezedoodle]

Posted: 1/11/07 at 6:51pm

It is only available for lease through the Tams Whitmark company. However - I don't know how much you would get out of it as it's a libretto rather than a script. The stage production is mostly sung - not much dialogue in it.

Updated On: 1/11/07 at 06:51 PM

[Kringas]

Posted: 1/11/07 at 7:38pm

The concert cd is pretty much the full show, minus the original second act two opening and press conference, which were changed during the original run.

Posted: 1/11/07 at 7:38pm

Just have to say I disagree that it's a great book for the movie the stage book was far superior and answered alot of questions that the movie doesn't even touch on.

[Raviolisun]

Posted: 1/11/07 at 7:51pm

Like what?

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 1/11/07 at 9:07pm

Having seen the original Broadway production countless of times (including the original version BEFORE the Act 2 changes) as well as the film-adaption, I can quickly say...the film is more developed than the stage-version -- especially the Act 2 sections.

Though the Act 1 portion of the film is pretty faithful to the stage-version, the relationship of Effie and Curtis is showcased more -- the addition of Effie's "Love You I Do" adds a visual reference to their relationship. On stage there was only a glimpse of it during the "Party Party" sequence, but that's it. We accept that Effie and Curtis were in a heavy relationship because of references made to it during "It's All Over", but we never see anything remotely close to any romantic inclinations.

The Act 2 portion of the film is where Bill Condon wisely expanded upon, especially for Effie's character. We finally get a glimpse of her life AFTER The Dreams, something we did not see in the stage-version. On stage Effie had her "I Am Changing" moment in Act 2, then disappears till almost the end of the show. On film, her character actually has an arch (plus we actually see her daughter Magic). Same with the development of the Deena/Curtis relationship, which on stage is only referenced in the "When I First Saw You" sequence. On film Deena's character is better developed, as is Curtis.

If anything...the only character to lose out in the film-adaption is Michelle Morris. On stage her relationship with C.C. is referenced quite extensively, so we have more familiarity with her. In the film, aside for her non-registering intro when Curtis pulls her out of a crowd to be his secretary, as well as her bit in the "It's All Over" sequence (most don't even realize it's the same girl playing Curtis' secretary), she only has a few lines towards the end of the film, and that's it. We ASSUME she's with C.C. since they're always together.

That should pretty much cover the 'differences', I think.

[maybethistime]

Posted: 1/11/07 at 9:42pm

Huh! I didn't even realize it was the same actress as that girl who ripped off her nails! And having never seen the stage version, I didn't know she and C.C. were ever supposed to be together. Interesting!

[musicalfandukie]

Posted: 1/11/07 at 9:55pm

"Huh! I didn't even realize it was the same actress as that girl who ripped off her nails! And having never seen the stage version, I didn't know she and C.C. were ever supposed to be together. Interesting!"

i figured out all those things the first time i watched the movie not knowing much about the show even.

[bare_nakedlady]

Posted: 1/11/07 at 10:41pm

Thanks!! You are all so wonderful. I do have the Concert CD, and if that's pretty much it, then I'll have to take another listen. I have to say though, I feel that the movie and the Concert CD ARE two seperate entities, and I love both. Which is weird since I get really angry a lot of the times when they change things for the film. I feel both really stand on their own. I'm putting my Concert CD in now! Thanks again.

[JohnPopa]

Posted: 1/11/07 at 11:42pm

Um, the resolution of Jimmy's character is awfully different from each version too.

[wickedfan]

Posted: 1/12/07 at 9:27am

Starting with that Jimmy's plot line compleely ends afetr Curtis fires him. I think we're meant to believe that he just washes up into obscurity.