Jamie Foxx and Usher Join Dreamgirls Film
By: BWW News Desk May. 12, 2005
Variety reports today that Jamie Foxx and Usher are set to join Beyonce in "Dreamgirls" to be directed by Bill Condon. Foxx will take on the role of Curtis Taylor Jr, the trio's manipulative manager. Usher is set to star as C.C. White, the group's choreographer. Dreamworks, who is the studio responsible for bringing the stage hit to the silver screen is also, according to Variety, trying to woo Eddie Murphy into the production as James "Thunder" Early and is "one part James Brown, one part Marvin Gaye - a charismatic womanizer and R&B star who gives the Dreamettes their first big break when he invites them to sing backup for him." Yet to be cast are the remaining 2 members of the Dreams. A nationwide search will take place for Effie with hopes of finding an unknown to fill the memorable role.
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.About Dreamgirls:
Dreamgirls is the story of the conventional American Dream of Making it Big in Show Business. The Three girls - Effie White, Deena Jone and Lorrell Robinson begin as a promising trio, and trusting friends. As the Dreamettes, green from Chicago, eager and wideeyed, they sing in a talent show at the Apollo Theater in New York. The girls lose this first bid for fame, but their talent attracts a sharp agent, Curtis Taylor, Jr. who convinces a popular star, James Thunder Early, to hire his hastily collected new clients.
Curtis falls in love with Effie, then, bartering her talent with a convincing argument moves Deena into Effie's lead spot and shifts his affections to Deena. Effie, deeply and defiantly in love with her man, rages with gospel fervor through the sear and pain of the infamous "And I am Telling You I'm Not Going". Complications ensue and every struggles with their own demons and fame.Dreamgirls opened on Broadway on December 20, 1981 and ran for 1521 performances, closing on August 11, 1985. It was later revived for a shorter run between June 28, 1987 through November 29, 1987. The book was written by Tom Eyen with music by Henry Krieger and lyrics by Tom Eyen.
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