"It does what a musical is supposed to do; it takes you to another world. And it gives you a little tune to carry in your head. Something to take you away from the dreary horrors of the real world. A little something for when you're feeling blue. You know?"
I saw this in London and as a huge fan of this show (it was my very first Broadway show) I wasn't all that impressed. I loved Amber as "Effie" she was exceptional. I wasn't too taken with Liisi La Fontaine. SchuylWERKsister is spot on with the assessment that she is way too contemporary sounding and takes you right out of the period. She lacks the charisma and special star quality to be a believable "Deena Jones". "Deena" may not be the better singer but she has to be played by someone who has that IT factor to justify Curtis' decision to put her up front and relegate "Effie" to the background.
I'm open to new interpretations of older works but with "Dreamgirls" I wish they would just revive the original Michael Bennett staging with all it's bells and whistles - so that this new generation of theatergoers can experience it and be thrilled and awed the way my 13 year old self was when I first saw it.
Well I've seen Robert Longbottom's staging twice. Beautiful production with LED screens. 1st was Segerstrom Center and 2nd 6 years later La Mirada. Moya Angela did both performances as Effie and she was amazing
Just got back from London where I saw this new production. It was just good. It lacked the greatness of the original. The cast was mediocre except for Marisha Wallace who was one of the best Effie's I've ever seen (I've seen several productions of Dreamgirls). The staging lacked the tightness of the original and the design - although with some interesting and even nice touches - just didn't work in the same way that Robin Wagner's simple every moving towers did.
I love Dreamgirls and I too am open to other interpretations of classic productions, but this wasn't it.
ARTc3 formerly ARTc. Actually been a poster since 2004. My name isn't Art. Drop the "3" and say the signature and you'll understand.
Can't they just use the Bennett choreo? Better off waiting another season as it's already a crowded season for revivals.
A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.