Is Dreamgirls dead?

[YvanEhtNioj]

I would loooove to see this at the Marquis Theatre. Mainly for the simple fact i would love to see that advertising on the huge blank wall outside. 

[Bibby87]

Seeing it again tonight in the West End with Marisha - Marisha needs to come over and be Amber's standby she is just soo incredible 

[Loopin’theloop]

Dancingthrulife2 said: "The west end production is one of the worst things I've seen in professional/commercial theater. The direction is all over the place and is no better than that of the abominable Carousel revival."

I have to agree with the above. The West End production is a mess. The staging and direction are self conscious, Michael Bennett didn’t create a show that moved constantly, he created a show that have the impression of moving constantly. He knew how you to use stillness and to focus a moment. The West End production is staged and played at one level of in your face. It’s exciting to begin with but the human eye and ear can only take in so much for so long until it all becomes a mish mash. In the same way that vocal harmony is most effective when their is unison to counter it, this production feels like an acid trip. It doesn’t mean that the audience aren’t enjoying it but it could be more enjoyable if everything wasn’t in primary colours and bold type throughout. It feels like a juke box musical, intent on keeping its energy at ten to trick the audience into believing they are having a better time than they are, which is sad because the material is better then that. 

[Daddy Warbucks]

Loopin’theloop said: "...the human eye and ear can only take in so much for so long until it all becomes a mish mash."


Sorry couldn't help myself.  I'm actually ecstatic for Dreamgirls to transfer.  I'm just hoping they can nail the casting. 
 

[ScottyDoesn'tKnow2]

Loopin’theloop said: "Dancingthrulife2 said: "The west end production is one of the worst things I've seen in professional/commercial theater. The direction is all over the place and is no better than that of the abominable Carousel revival."

I have to agree with the above. The West End production is a mess. The staging and direction are self conscious, Michael Bennett didn’t create a show that moved constantly, he created a show that have the impression of moving constantly. He knew how you to use stillness and to focus a moment. The West End production is staged and played at one level of in your face. It’s exciting to begin with but the human eye and ear can only take in so much for so long until it all becomes a mish mash. In the same way that vocal harmony is most effective when their is unison to counter it, this production feels like an acid trip. It doesn’t mean that the audience aren’t enjoying it but it could be more enjoyable if everything wasn’t in primary colours and bold type throughout. It feels like a juke box musical, intent on keeping its energy at ten to trick the audience into believing they are having a better time than they are, which is sad because the material is better then that."

Excellent points. I would love to see a production with the original Bennett staging because it's been over 35 years since it debuted on Broadway and I'd argue there are two generations of theatre fans who have never seen anything like it.

[robskynyc]

Warbucks2 said: "Loopin’theloop said: "...the human eye and ear can only take in so much for so long until it all becomes a mish mash."


Sorry couldn't help myself. I'm actually ecstatic for Dreamgirls to transfer. I'm just hoping they can nail the casting.
"

it would be dope to see JHud come back as effie, no?

[silent]

If and when this happens, can they go back to the original staging?

Cut Listen out as a duet please!

[Bwayfan292]

If it literally means anythig, Hailey Kilgore posted someone saying Hailey for Deena and Jailen for Effie.

Jailen also posted a video of her singing and im telling you, in a rehearsal room with tons of cameras, and other broadway people, reshared the story saying give her the tony now.

[Sondheimite]

Jai'Len Josey has been the only person I want for Effie since I saw Spongebob a year ago.  

[Sondheimite]

I want Dreamgirls back on Broadway badly.

But I feel like this is going to end up like the recent Carousel if the London production/direction transfers.

I want a GOOD production of Dreamgirls on Broadway.  I'm so sick of Casey Nicholaw's bag of tricks in general and I don't want his Casey Nicholaw's Bag Of Tricks Production of Dreamgirls on Broadway.  

 

[Blue_Lotus]

I would love to see Dreamgirls back on Broadway again...just not this particular production. I would love the new generation of theater fans to experience the magic of Michael Bennett’s original staging.

[MadsonMelo]

I loved the West End production aside from the actress playing Deena.

It was a glamorous and glorious night at theater with great production value and an amazing cast.

[YvanEhtNioj]

I know this topic pops up every few months.. but I'm hoping this is still a thing. With so many shows closing, it's not like there isnt any space. 

[Megsamegatron]

YvanEhtNioj said: "I know this topic pops up every few months.. but I'm hoping this is still a thing. With so many shows closing, it's not like there isnt any space."

At the end January there was a casting call for Dreamgirls on Playbill and in the description it said TBA 2019/2020 for show dates so I still haven't given up hope 

[Mister Matt]

This has been on-again/off-agaon as much as a Funny Girl revival.  If the tour a few years ago was any indication, it's probably best not revived.

[Theatrefanboy1]

Honestly. I hope it is. The London production left lots to be desired. And unless you have a couple big names in it. I can’t see that Production last more than a couple months before closing shop

[RippedMan]

Nicholaw is such a hot director right now - or maybe it's dying after Tuck and The Prom - and I'm surprised this didn't happen faster. They've had, at least, 3 casting calls for it in the past 3 years, so if it's not dead, I don't know what is stalling it. 

[alex814]

Did anything ever come from those Equity auditions held a while back? This transfers feels more dead now than ever

[RippedMan]

They’ve had 2 rounds of auditions, I’d assume it’s dead. Given Casey’s track record he must know the right people, so if he wanted this to come in, it would have.

[BJR]

He gave an interview recently saying it was a matter of schedules and he really hopes it comes in next season. 

[RippedMan]

What has Amber R. done in the past year?

[ucjrdude902]

Last I heard, from a pretty reliable source, it was issues with finding a theatre to hold the production.

[YvanEhtNioj]

Welp. There may Be a few open soon.

[emo_geek]

I'm excited for this. I saw her perform with Shoshana Bean in LA a few months ago and she sounded fantastic. 

[JSquared2]

After seeing Alex Newell sing "Hold Me In You Heart" from KINKY BOOTS at the Carnegie Hall NY Pops Celebration for Cyndi Lauper this week, Alex would make a GREAT Effie!  He brought down the house with his number.