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Film
"Dreamgirls" Film Cast Finally Shaping Up; Usher and Fantasia Are Out, Keith Robinson and Jennifer Hudson Are In
posted on Nov 23, 2005
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The story of the rise and fall of an African-American girl group in the racially turbulent 1960s, "Dreamgirls" debuted on Broadway in December 1981 and ran for four years. The Broadway production was based loosely on The Supremes. Now, 20 years later, the musical is coming to the big screen with an all-star cast.
Additional casting has been announced for the DreamWorks Pictures' and Paramount Pictures' upcoming screen version of the Tony Award-winning musical "Dreamgirls." Former "American Idol" finalist Jennifer Hudson has been cast in the pivotal role of Effie Melody White, the role made famous by Jennifer Holiday in the original 1981 Broadway show when Holiday belted out her signature tune "And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going."
Keith Robinson has joined the lineup of the movie version of the Broadway musical as the composer C.C., brother of the pivotal character of Effie. Robinson's recent credits include "Fat Albert" and roles on the FX series "Over There" and NBC's "American Dreams."
The casting of Hudson and Robinson are considered a coup as R&B singing star, Usher, was reportedly in negotiations for the parts, though no deal was reached.
"American Idol" winner, Fantasia Barino's name had been bandied around for the role of Effie. The Daily New's Lloyd Grove reports Fantasia was at one point considered a lock for a role in the film; Denzel Washington reportedly directed her screen test, and even offered to do a cameo if she was cast. Speaking to the Daily News, Hudson confirms that even she was surprised to edge out Barrino. "I was sure Fantasia got it," she said. "But they said they wanted me. They said I was born for this."
Hudson and Robinson join the film's previously announced stars: Academy AwardÆ winner Jamie Foxx ("Ray"), Beyonce Knowles ("Austin Powers in Goldmember") as Deena Jones, Eddie Murphy ("The Nutty Professor," "Dr. Doolittle"), Danny Glover (the "Lethal Weapon" franchise), and Tony AwardÆ winner Anika Noni Rose (Broadway's "Caroline or Change").
Set in the turbulent late 1960s and early 1970s, "Dreamgirls" follows the rise of a trio of women - Effie (Jennifer Hudson), Deena Jones (Beyonce Knowles) and Lorrell Robinson (Anika Noni Rose) - who have formed a promising girl group called The Dreamettes. At a talent competition, they are discovered by an ambitious manager named Curtis Taylor, Jr. (Jamie Foxx), who offers them the opportunity of a lifetime: to become the back-up singers for headliner James "Thunder" Early (Eddie Murphy) who is managed by Marty Madison (Danny Glover). Curtis gradually takes control of the girls' look and sound, eventually giving them their own shot in the spotlight as The Dreams. That spotlight, however, begins to narrow in on Deena, finally pushing the less attractive Effie out altogether. Though the Dreams become a cross-over phenomenon, they soon realize that the cost of fame and fortune may be higher than they ever imagined.
DreamWorks Pictures, which is co-producing "Dreamgirls" along with Paramount Pictures, has put forth an offer that will encourage amateur productions of the musical. Effective January 1, 2006, DreamWorks Pictures will pay the licensing fees for all amateur productions of the musical "Dreamgirls" in the United States and Canada. This will encompass any amateur productions mounted in the calendar year 2006 at high schools, colleges and in community theaters, but will not extend to dinner theaters and other professional productions. The program is being offered in conjunction with the owners of the original musical - which includes the estate of Michael Bennett, who directed, choreographed and produced the original Broadway musical, and the Toms-Witmark Music Library Inc. - with the goal of introducing a new generation of theatergoers to "Dreamgirls" in advance of DreamWorks' late 2006 release of the long-awaited screen version of the musical. Theatre companies interested in mounting a production of "Dreamgirls" should contact Toms-Witmark Music Library Inc. by phone at (212) 688-2525; via fax at (212) 688-3232; or at http://www.tomswitmark.com.
"Dreamgirls" opened on Broadway at the Imperial Theatre on December 20th, 1981 and was a smash hit. The Broadway musical ran for 1521 performances and won 8 of its 15 Tony AwardÆ nominations. Jennifer Holliday, Sheryl Lee Ralph and Loretta Devine were the three Dreams, and Cleavant Derricks, Ben Harney and Obba Babatunde were also featured. "Dreamgirls" was revived in 1987 with Lillias White, Alisa Gyse and Arnetia Walker. Heather Headley, Audra McDonald.
Bill Condon is directing the film version, from a screenplay he adapted from the stage musical's original book by Tom Eyen. Condon won an Academy AwardÆ for his screenplay for "Gods and Monsters" and received an OscarÆ nomination for his screenplay adaptation of "Chicago." Academy AwardÆ-nominated producer Laurence Mark is producing "Dreamgirls," and Patricia Whitcherr ("The Terminal," "Memoirs of a Geisha") is executive producing with, with David Geffen, a producer of the Broadway musical. The lyrics are by Tom Eyen, with music by Henry Krieger. A co-production of DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures, "Dreamgirls" will be distributed domestically by DreamWorks, with Paramount handling the international release.
Filming of "Dreamgirls" is set to begin in January with the film scheduled for release in December of 2006.
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