It looks like they MIGHT get it right!!! Dreamworks/Paramount have assembled a stellar cast reprising one of the most beloved plays in the history of (dare I say 'black'?) musicals. In everything- from the choice of talent to the marketing strategies and production values- the planets appear to be aligning to bring the type of excitement and black celebrity wattage to the screen not seen in this genre since "The Wiz". Academy Award- winning screenplay writer Bill Condon ("Gods and Monsters") helms the directorship of the film, teamed with the very capable hands of Oscar-nominated producer Laurence Mark ("Jerry Maguire", "As Good As It Gets"). Names like Academy-award winning production designer John Myhre ("Chicago") and the ever-talented music video choreographer Fatima Robinson add extra talent pedigree behind the camera.
The brightest and most recognizable names in front of the camera headlining this imminent blockbuster are of course Beyonce, Jamie Foxx, Danny Glover, Hinton Battle and Eddie Murphy. In a daring and perhaps ingenious set of casting moves, movie screen novice Anika Noni Rose (most notable for her appearance in the Broadway play "Caroline, or Change") and "American Idol" favorite Jennifer Hudson- along with Beyonce- round out the trio around whom the storyline revolves. It would seem that the play's original director, producer and choreographer, Michael Bennett, would be proud with the choices. With all of this talent onscreen and off, it should be interesting around Oscar time next year...
And now,The RE-EDIT:
Jennifer Hudson is going to REALLY have to come with it!!! I was one of those pulling for her to beat out Fantasia for the coveted role of Effie White in what should be THE Christmas season 2006 mega-hit. We've seen countless reprisals and traveling companies offering their productions - none of which managed to capture the undeniable magic of the original cast; even vocal powerhouse Frenchie Davis couldn't match Jennifer Holliday's Torch Song rendition of "And I am Telling You I'm Not Going". Perhaps the only artist who came CLOSE to capturing the power of La Holliday's trademark song was Shirley Murdock, who covered it on her 1988 CD "A Woman's Point of View". Good luck, JHud!
But when you are competing with performances like this, the task can be daunting.
Very few can compare to Holliday's fire, conviction, and command of the play's most popular song with wreckless (and impeccable) abandon.
It looks like the Dreamgirls PR machinery is gearing up...I can't wait to see it!
2 comments:
i am really excited to see what the outcome will be. so much energy and press has been placed behind the movie already and its not even done taping.
Thanks for this site. It was a great flashback. I can't believe I saw the original and that it was 25 years ago. It was a "splash" and grand musical production that I enjoyed several times. Not to top the wonderful segment of "White Boys" from H A I R. Peace/ NYC
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