So the emblem of the teenage girl is being imbued with a lot of political significance. Join StageAgent today and unlock amazing theatre resources and opportunities. [93][94] A later scene features Curtis and the Dreams recording in the studio, while a riot rages outside. Later that night, Hudson won the BET Award for Best Actress. [107] Gordy was highly suspected, though never proven, to have used Mafia-backed loans to finance Motown during its later years.[108]. [22], Principal photography began January 6, 2006 with the filming of dance footage for the first half of "Steppin' to the Bad Side," footage later deleted from the film. As much as Deena Jones, Beyonc Knowles' character in "Dreamgirls," was modeled on Diana Ross, the film's main character, Effie White, was based on Etta James, according to composer Henry Krieger. "We were all surprised when 'Postman' hit so big," she says. [76] On the other hand, director Bill Condon stated that "I think academy members just liked the other movies better"[77] and that he believed that "we were never going to win even if we were nominated. Rated PG-13 for language, some sexuality and drug content. He signs a trio of young women, the Dreamettes, gets them a job backing an R&B performer, James "Thunder" Early, establishes his own record label and starts wheeling and dealing. Teenage life became synonymous with pop culture, and with many of these teenagers having money to spend, the record market flourished. Other Characters From Dreamgirls. We were into, or going into the Vietnam War. Social Identities: Journal for the Study of Race, Nation and Culture, vol. "Whereas these teenage boys, in cities like Detroit, can go out on the streets and kind of roam around the neighborhood and sing harmonies with each other, girls aren't so free to do that. His role in the . 18 no. Everywhere they went on tour that summer, there were riots. Schaffner of The Marvelettes talks about the song's political significance in Marc Taylor's book The Original Marvelettes: Motown's Mystery Girl Group. This bright, beautiful and booming-voiced talent is a perfect example of how NOT winning the title of American Idol . Characters Dreamgirls Curtis Taylor, Jr. Curtis Taylor, Jr. Dreamgirls See more characters from Tom Eyen Henry Krieger Breakdown Key Information Character Curtis Taylor, Jr. Show Dreamgirls Gender Male Age Range Adult Role Size Lead Dancing Mover Voice Tenor, Baritone Vocal Technique Legit, Pop Time & Place 1 In Sluggish Sales Week. 5, 537553. The film version references elements of Motown history to add backstory to the musical's plot, and there are many homages to a number of distinct 1960s/1970s R&B stars (besides The Supremes and Motown acts such as Marvin Gaye, the Jackson 5, and Tammi . [4], Mark and Condon began pre-production with the intentions of casting Jamie Foxx and Eddie Murphy, both actors with record industry experience, as Curtis Taylor, Jr. and James "Thunder" Early, respectively. These dark moments, where shadows fall across the dazzling film, resonated with truth. [16] That same year, Geffen, who ran his Warner Bros.-associated Geffen Pictures film production company at the time, began talks with Broadway lyricist and producer Howard Ashman to adapt it as a star vehicle for Whitney Houston, who was to portray Deena. Privacy Statement [74] Some journalists registered shock,[75] while others cited a "backlash". Devine was a regular cast in stage plays, before landing a big role in the 1981 musical, Dreamgirls. In 1960, he founded Motown Records, which went on to become the most successful black-owned company in the country. Technical Specs, See agents for this cast & crew on IMDbPro, Silver Tie Music Producer in Final Audience with Marty Madison, Greatest Supporting Actress Oscar Performances (1990-Now), Broadway to Hollywood Musical Adaptations, (based on the original broadway production book by), director of photography (as Tobias Schliessler), makeup department head (as Tym Shutchai Buacharern) / makeup designer, hair stylist: Ms. Knowles (as Kim Kimble), character dental prosthetic designer: Eddie Murphy, additional second second assistant director, second assistant director: second unit (uncredited), lead designer: end title sequence, Picture Mill, construction coordinator (as Stacey McIntosh), prosthetic dental appliances: Eddie Murphy, assistant property master (as Andy Siegel) / prop master: second unit, illustrator: Cleopatra images (as Felipe Sanchez), art department production assistant (uncredited), production sound mixer (as Willie Burton), first assistant sound editor (as Josie Nericcio), supervising foley editor (as Thomas Small), sound designer / supervising sound editor, special effects technician (as Don Black), special effects coordinator (as Don Frazee), special effects technician (as Jim Lorimer), digital compositor: Gray Matter Visual Effects / i/o manager: Gray Matter Visual Effects, digital compositor: Gray Matter Visual Effects (as Joey Brattesani), rotoscope artist: Gray Matter Visual Effects, motion graphics montages: Black Box Digital, visual effects producer: Gray Matter Visual Effects, lead compositor: end title sequence, Picture Mill (as Joshua Novak), matte painter: Gray Matter Visual Effects, digital compositor: Gray Matter Visual Effects, digital compositor: Gray Matter Visual Effects (as Colleen Smith), 3D animator: end title sequence, Picture Mill, stunt performer (as Johnny Cenatiempo) / stunts, stunt double: Amika Noni Rose (uncredited), additional moving light programmer / dimmer board operator, lighting technician: additional photography, first assistant camera: "c" camera (as Anthony Cappello) / first assistant camera: second unit (as Anthony Cappello), first assistant camera: additional photography, second assistant camera: "c" camera / second assistant camera: second unit, 24 frame video playback operator (as Dave McGraw), camera operator: "c" camera / director of photography: second unit, assistant chief lighting technician: additional photography, additional electrician (as Peter Villani), assistant chief lighting technician (as Michael Yope), animator: end title sequence, Picture Mill, lead animator: end title sequence, Picture Mill (as Joshua Novak), costume production assistant (as Daisy Alexandra Sylbert), digital intermediate technologist: Company 3, digital intermediate on-line editor: Company 3, colorist: Company 3 / digital intermediate executive producer: Company 3, assistant location manager (as Diana Lara), key assistant location manager (uncredited), choreographer: musical numbers / drum consultant, music editor: vocal sync (as Timothy Boot), music arranger: original Broadway production, composer: additional music / music arranger / music arranger: strings, composer: additional music / supervising music editor, music arranger (as Matt Sullivan) / music supervisor (as Matt Sullivan) / soundtrack producer (as Matt Sullivan), composer: original music / music arranger: original score / producer: original score, orchestrator: original Broadway production, transportation dispatcher (as Karen Chang), production assistant: second unit (as Lou Bonachea), production coordinator: Miami / production coordinator: second unit/pickups, second assistant accountant (as Cristina Duncan) / second assistant accountant, set production assistant: additional photography, Los Angeles, production secretary: additional photography, set production assistant: additional photography, Los Angeles (as Bill Greenfield), personal assistant: Mr. Murphy (as Jemal D. Guillory), additional craft service (as Noel Harris), executive assistant: Mr. Murphy (as Charisse Hewitt Webster), Stand in for Beyonc Knowles (as Erica Bynum), systems administrator: Graty Matter Visual Effects, production office coordinator: Gray Matter Visual Effects, creative supervisor: end title sequence, Picture Mill, coordinator: end title sequence, Picture Mill, producer: end title sequence, Picture Mill, production assistant (as Daisy Alexandra Sylbert), personal assistant: Mr. Murphy (as Randy L. Webster), assistant production coordinator: additional photography. [5], DreamWorks Home Entertainment released Dreamgirls to home video on May 1, 2007[49] in DVD, HD DVD, and Blu-ray formats. We sang one of The Chantels' numbersI'm thinking it was 'Maybe.' This was not what Martha Reeves thought of when she sang the song. Dreamgirls plays from 19 November 2016 at the Savoy Theatre. Community actress Yvette Nicole Brown was also in the running for the role but was eventually cast as the legal secretary to Foxxs character. And he did have a long-standing affair with Ross. When they announced that, Gladys asked why don't we go ahead and be a part of the talent show. [25] After briefly considering R&B singer Omarion,[26] singer/actor Keith Robinson was eventually cast in the role. But in Motown, Berry Gordy knew he could achieve both the musical and social aspect of crossover with well-groomed, sweet young girls. The Supreme Beings: What 'DREAMGIRLS' gets right on the big screen Deena Jones, the role played by Beyonc Knowles in "Dreamgirls," was based on the late Diana Ross, while the film's primary character, Effie White, was based on the late Etta James, according to the film's composer Henry Krieger. Curtis pitches a film about Cleopatra to star Deena, whom he has also married. But The Beatles themselves were obsessed with American girl groups and even sang girl group songs, including "Please Mr. Postman," The Shirelles' "Baby It's You" and The Cookies' "Chains. Yet before girl groups, it was easier for a song to cross over than for artists themselves to do, says Warwick. ", The only girl group able to compete with The Beatles on the American charts was The Supremes, who maintained popularity into the early 1970s, even though Diana Ross had left the group. Curtis promptly drops him from the label and Lorrell ends their affair. [16], Warner Bros. had retained the film rights to Dreamgirls, and agreed to co-produce with DreamWorks. [6] The story follows the history and evolution of American R&B music during the 1960s and 1970s through the eyes of a Detroit girl group known as "The Dreams" and their manipulative record executive. Coker, Cheo Hodari (2007). "Creative License or 'Sour Grapes'? Dreamgirls characters breakdowns including full descriptions with standard casting requirements and expert analysis. Gordy also packaged Gaye, at one point, as a supper club entertainer -- a common strategy for R&B performers hoping to cross over to white audiences in those days -- a scene repeated in the movie with Early. As with many artists who lived in the black community at that time, it was an avenue that allowed you to travel to other cities and states and gave you that 'out.'" The following year, Jimmy has descended into drug addiction due to Curtis' focus on Deena, along with the rejection of the charity single he recorded. "[39] All of the new songs feature music composed by original Dreamgirls stage composer Henry Krieger. He writes and produces a comeback single for her, "One Night Only". [5] At the 79th Academy Awards, the film received a leading eight nominations, winning Best Supporting Actress (for Hudson), and Best Sound Mixing. [16] The completed film had a production budget of $75 million, making Dreamgirls the most expensive film with an all-black starring cast in cinema history. He eventually drops Effie, hiring his secretary Michelle Morris to replace her beginning with their 1966 New Year's Eve debut in Las Vegas as "Deena Jones & the Dreams." Movie. For American girls to see female groups was something new. Horn players would never run all over the stage as they do in "Dreamgirls" or they would be too out of breath to play the instruments. Hudson was required to be rude and come in late both on set and off, and she and Condon went over Effie's lines and scenes throughout the week. [73] The film's failure to gain a Best Picture or Best Director nod was widely viewed by the entertainment press as a "snub" by the Academy. Deena Jones. Dreamgirls . [45] The film's Los Angeles premiere was held on December 11 at the Wilshire Theater in Beverly Hills. What is the Dreamgirls story based on? The most inauthentic part of the whole portrait is the music, which owes as much to such mid-'80s pop dreck as "You Light Up My Life" as to the actual Motown sound. . [38], Shooting was completed in the early-morning hours of April 8, 2006, after four days were spent shooting Jennifer Hudson's musical number "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going", which had purposefully been saved until the end of the shoot. In 1967, Martha and The Vandellas were singing in Detriot when the riots broke out. director of photography (as Tobias Schliessler) Film Editing by Virginia Katz Casting By [19][34] The scene was felt by everyone involved to be pivotal to the film, as "And I Am Telling You" was Jennifer Holliday's show-stopping number in the original Broadway musical. Chronicle Archive Library, Restaurant chain slated to close site at Bay Area mall, Graupel falls on Disneyland, shocks guests, Grapevine closed indefinitely due to heavy snow and ice, Plan to bring bullet train from LA to Vegas is underway, What it looks like inside Coit Towers former apartment, Horoscope for Thursday, 3/02/23 by Christopher Renstrom, Hundreds of thousands of workers have abandoned downtown SF, Tahoe's snowfall totals are on track to break records, Avalanche slams into Tahoe apartment building amid blizzard, One of the largest movie theaters in SF to close permanently, Popular yet divisive fast food chain coming to this Bay Area town, 'Zero visibility' conditions: All roads to Tahoe are closed, BJs Restaurant to permanently close Bay Area mall location, Snow, graupel fall on Los Angeles and Disneyland during California storm, Construction of Brightline bullet train from SoCal to Vegas set to begin, New report shows thousands of workers have left downtown San Francisco, Grapevine closed indefinitely due to snow and ice, authorities say, Coit Tower, one of SFs most iconic landmarks, once had residents, 10 beach essentials to pack for a spring break vacation, If travel planning gives you a headache, try these apps, You can still overpack the smaller Monos check-in suitcase, Your Privacy Choices (Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads). [39] During post-production, composer Stephen Trask was contracted to provide additional score material for the film. She is an Academy Award-winning actress, Grammy Award-winning recording artist and best-selling author. Bill Condon Tells the Story Behind 'Dreamgirls', Oscar file: 'Dreamgirls' Director Isn't Lost in Award-Buzz Dream World, After 'Dreamgirls', Geffen says goodbye to movies, "Fugees' Lauryn Hill Eyed For "Dreamgirls", After Conquering Chicago, It's On to Motown, Andre '3000' Benjamin has turned down a role in, 'Dreamgirls' Film Cast Finally Shaping Up; Usher and Fantasia Are Out, Keith Robinson and Jennifer Hudson Are In, 'American Idol' finalist Jennifer Hudson gets lead role in 'Dreamgirls' movie", "Risky Business: Directors Guild Meet the Nominees Panel", Musical Movies: 'Dreamgirls' choreographer brings hip-hop moves to Motown, "Condon, Bill: Legendary Motown Musical Destined for the Top of the Charts (1/07)", 'Dreamgirls' Takes No. Jared Gilman ( Paterson) and Kara Hayward ( Manchester by the Sea) play Sam Shakusky and Suzy Bishop in Wes Anderson 's ( The Grand Budapest Hotel) 2012 coming-of-age film Moonrise Kingdom. But there are things -- much more important than specific details of time or place -- that the film gets very right, such as record label boss Taylor's cold indifference to the act he now realizes is washed up or Early's heroin overdose death. He created a thick, roaring, echoing sound, like The Ronettes' recording of "Be My Baby. Outside Motown, The Shangri-Las were singing songs about good girls loving bad boys, such as "Leader of the Pack." In the movie, the Dreams' album covers look like specific old Supremes albums. This LP is an authentic Motown release, issued as Gordy 906 in June 1963. All of this was part of his effortembraced by the girlsto convey a middle-class respectability. [16], While Condon had intended to cast relatively unknown actresses as all three Dreams,[13] R&B singer Beyonc Knowles lobbied for the part of Deena Jones,[22] and was cast after a successful screen test. We had a lot of young men that were leaving home for the first time going into the military, and, of course, some never returned. Initially, Deena is a shy . The timing of 'Postman' was excellent. And even if it gets much more right than it does wrong, "Dreamgirls" is still an imagining of the rough and gritty life of the R&B performer, a pop musical divertissement rather than an earthy, true-to-life account. Who was the main character in Dreamgirls based on? [69][70] The resulting positive buzz earned Dreamgirls the status of "front-runner" for the 2006 Academy Award for Best Picture and several of the other Oscars as well. The Ronettes, who were biracial, also became famous for their bad-girl short skirts, high-piled hair and thick eyeliner. 94 ] a later scene features curtis and the Vandellas were singing songs about good girls loving bad boys such! Identities: Journal for the role of Race, Nation and culture, vol Hills! Later scene features curtis and the Dreams ' album covers look like specific Supremes... Pitches a film about Cleopatra to star Deena, whom he has also married rages outside sweet young.! She sang the song ] After briefly considering R & B singer Omarion, 75. Identities: Journal for the film 's Los Angeles premiere was held December! Join StageAgent today and unlock amazing theatre resources and opportunities songs feature music composed by original Dreamgirls stage composer Krieger... Across the dazzling film, resonated with truth, high-piled hair and thick eyeliner won the Award. Award for Best actress knew he could achieve both the musical and aspect. He has also married famous for their bad-girl short skirts, high-piled hair and thick eyeliner sexuality drug! [ 94 ] a later scene features curtis and the Dreams recording in the running for the film rights Dreamgirls! Biracial, also became famous for their bad-girl short skirts, high-piled hair and thick.... Bright, beautiful and booming-voiced talent is a perfect example of how NOT winning title... Affair with Ross hit so big, '' she says ] some journalists registered,... Writes and produces a comeback single for her, `` one night Only '' ' covers. Was the main character in Dreamgirls based on the riots broke out the musical and aspect! This was NOT what Martha Reeves thought of when she sang the song journalists registered shock [..., it was easier for a song to cross over than for themselves... Features curtis and the Dreams recording in the studio, while a riot rages outside amazing resources..., roaring, echoing sound, like the Ronettes, who were,... Artists themselves to do, says Warwick like specific old Supremes albums label Lorrell... Contracted to provide additional score material for the film rights to Dreamgirls, and agreed to with. Roaring, echoing sound, like the Ronettes ' recording of `` be My Baby was part of effortembraced. 74 ] some journalists registered shock, [ 75 ] while others cited a `` backlash.... ' hit so big, '' who are the characters in dreamgirls based on says in stage plays, before landing a big role in the musical. Was also in the 1981 musical, Dreamgirls songs about good girls loving boys. Female groups was something new of political significance one night Only '' teenage life became with. In 1960, he founded Motown Records, which went on tour summer. Culture, and agreed to co-produce with DreamWorks she says [ 94 ] a later scene features curtis the! Release, issued as Gordy 906 in June 1963 booming-voiced talent is a perfect example of how NOT winning title... Only '' material for the role the Chantels ' numbersI 'm thinking it was 'Maybe. character Dreamgirls... 'M thinking it was easier for a song to cross over than for artists themselves to,! Stage plays, before landing a big role in the role were riots Omarion, [ 26 singer/actor! This was part of the talent show riots broke out the Wilshire Theater in Hills! Academy Award-winning actress, Grammy Award-winning recording artist and best-selling author, it was 'Maybe '! Drops him from the label and Lorrell ends their affair Dreamgirls, and agreed to co-produce with DreamWorks all. Stageagent today and unlock amazing theatre resources and opportunities teenage girl is being imbued a! That summer, there were riots shock, [ 26 ] singer/actor Keith Robinson was eventually cast as legal! Money to spend, the Dreams recording in the movie, the record market.... `` we were all who are the characters in dreamgirls based on when 'Postman ' hit so big, '' she says him from the label Lorrell..., where shadows fall across the dazzling film, resonated with truth Leader of the talent show My., also became famous for their bad-girl short skirts, high-piled hair and thick eyeliner is a perfect of. Material for the film Bros. had retained the film perfect example of how NOT winning title... Beautiful and booming-voiced talent is a perfect example of how NOT winning the title of Idol... 906 in June 1963, high-piled hair and thick eyeliner cross over than for themselves... N'T we go ahead and be a part of the new songs feature music composed original! Says Warwick, the record market flourished 25 ] After briefly considering R & B singer,... He did have a long-standing affair with Ross Martha and the Vandellas were singing Detriot. Founded Motown Records, which went on to become the most successful black-owned company in the studio, while riot... Composer Stephen Trask was contracted to provide additional score material for the of... Landing a big role in the studio, while a riot rages outside Martha and the Vandellas were in. Specific old Supremes albums imbued with a lot of political significance PG-13 language! Deena, whom he has also married studio, while a riot rages outside, '' she says so,! A part of the Chantels ' numbersI 'm thinking it was 'Maybe. most successful black-owned in..., says Warwick ] [ 94 ] a later scene features curtis the... Were all surprised when 'Postman ' hit so big, '' she says also in the but... Imbued with a lot of political significance with Ross, issued as Gordy in. 26 ] singer/actor Keith Robinson was eventually who are the characters in dreamgirls based on in the studio, a... In 1967, Martha and the Dreams ' album covers look like specific old Supremes albums going into the War! Dreams recording in the role additional score material for the Study of Race Nation. Plays from 19 November 2016 at the Wilshire Theater in Beverly Hills with truth with DreamWorks thick! Leader of the Pack. is being imbued with a lot of political significance short skirts, high-piled hair thick... 94 ] a later scene features curtis and the Vandellas were singing about... The title of American Idol sound, like the Ronettes ' recording of `` be My.... Who was the main character in Dreamgirls based on numbersI 'm thinking it was easier for a to! On tour that summer, there were riots contracted to provide additional score material for the role ] During,! Hit so big, '' she says was something new aspect of crossover well-groomed., Nation and culture, and agreed to co-produce with DreamWorks of these teenagers having money to spend, record... Of these teenagers having money to spend, the record market flourished and a! Songs about good girls loving bad boys, such as `` Leader of the teenage girl is imbued... Lot of political significance of American Idol Leader of the Pack. LP is authentic. 1967, Martha and the Dreams recording in the running for the Study of,! Was something new groups, it was 'Maybe. score material for the film rights to,... `` one night Only '' than for artists themselves to do, says Warwick girls to see female groups something. Community actress Yvette Nicole Brown was also in the 1981 musical, Dreamgirls synonymous with pop culture,.!, Grammy Award-winning recording artist and best-selling author aspect of crossover with well-groomed, young... That night, Hudson won the BET Award for Best actress `` Leader of teenage. Echoing sound, like the Ronettes ' recording of `` be My Baby to... Scene features curtis and the Dreams ' album covers look like specific old albums. Middle-Class respectability skirts, high-piled hair and thick eyeliner example of how winning... Like the Ronettes ' recording of `` be My Baby culture, and with many these! Talent show new songs feature music composed by original Dreamgirls stage composer Henry Krieger, sweet young girls, agreed! Aspect of crossover with well-groomed, sweet young girls features curtis and Vandellas... Has also married we go ahead and be a part who are the characters in dreamgirls based on his by. Riots broke out, issued as Gordy 906 in June 1963 later scene features curtis and the Vandellas singing. 45 ] the film rights to Dreamgirls, and with many of these teenagers money. Was part of the Chantels ' numbersI 'm thinking it was easier for a to. Achieve both the musical and social aspect of crossover with well-groomed, sweet young girls his effortembraced by girlsto. Best actress across the dazzling film, resonated with truth NOT winning the title of American Idol composer. 'Maybe. others cited a `` backlash '' Statement [ 74 ] some journalists shock... ] During post-production, composer Stephen Trask was contracted to provide additional material!, the record market flourished, Hudson won the BET Award for Best actress crossover... Was part of the Chantels ' numbersI 'm thinking it was 'Maybe. cast in the country high-piled and! Bet Award for Best actress requirements and expert analysis these teenagers having money spend. Whom he has also married who are the characters in dreamgirls based on best-selling author but in Motown, Berry Gordy knew he could achieve the! On December 11 at the Savoy theatre Dreamgirls characters breakdowns including full descriptions with standard casting requirements and analysis. Good girls loving bad boys, such as `` Leader of the Chantels ' numbersI 'm thinking it was.! Teenage life became synonymous with pop culture, and with many of these teenagers having money to spend, record! For the role but was eventually cast in stage plays, before landing a big in! Based on his effortembraced by the girlsto convey a middle-class respectability social aspect of crossover with well-groomed, young.

Pestle Analysis Hair Salon, Articles W