Dreamgirls Film to Start Shooting in January '06

By: Jul. 13, 2005
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The upcoming film version of Dreamgirls is increasingly coming into shape, with production dates now set for the movie musical.  Dreamgirls will begin filming on January 8th, 2006 with the following Christmas slated as a release date.

While the show's towering central role, Effie Melody White, has not yet been cast, an open casting call was held on June 18th.  It was recently announced that Eddie Murphy will play soul superstar James "Thunder" Early, for whom the Dreams sing backup early in the show.  Murphy joins Beyoncé Knowles as glamorous Deena Jones (said to be based on Diana Ross), Usher as composer CC White and Jamie Foxx as Dreams manager Curtis Taylor Jr. Also yet to be cast are the remaining two members of the Dreams, who from humble (and more soulful) origins, become a pop sensation after ditching the phenomenally talented Effie.

Dreamgirls, which will be brought to the big screen by DreamWorks, will be directed by Bill Condon, the Academy Award-winner who received an Oscar nomination for his screenplay for the film version of Chicago.  He will also adapt the screenplay from Tom Eyen's book (Eyen also wrote the lyrics to Henry Kreiger's music).  DreamWorks' Adam Goodman and David Beaubaire (who produced the original 1981 stage production) are in charge of the film after pursuing the project for over 10 years, and Patricia Witcher is the executive producer.

Dreamgirls opened at the Imperial Theatre on December 20th, 1981. A smash hit, it ran for 1521 performances and won 8 of it 15 Tony nominations. The show featured a score by Henry Krieger and Tow Ewen, a book by Ewen, scenic design by Robin Wagner, costume design by Theoni V. Aldredge and lighting design by Tharon Musser. Dazzlingly staged by Michael Bennett, the show nonetheless lost the Best Musical Tony to Nine. Jennifer Holliday, Sheryl Lee Ralph and Loretta Devine were the three "Dreams" of the title, and Cleavant Derricks, Ben Harney and Obba Babatunde led a strong supporting cast. Dreamgirls was revived in 1987 with Lillias White, Alisa Gyse and Arnetia Walker. Heather Headley, Audra McDonald and White headlined the 2001 Actor's Benefit concert.

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