Dreamgirls's Heavyweight Champs
[posted by Sheigh Crabtree]
I just got back from a "Dreamgirls" screening at DGA here in New York. The crowd really enjoyed it -- broke into enthusiastic applause during "And I'm Telling You." But I did listen in on a heated argument between two Broadway aficianados in the lobby afterward comparing the talents of Jennifer Hudson and Jennifer Holliday who very memorably played Effie on stage. One guy was arguing that Hudson was doing a poor woman's Aretha Franklin imitation and that Holliday is a superior talent. The other guy said that Holliday was not "more original" since she was impersonating Mahalia Jackson. Below I posted Holliday singing "And I'm Telling You" at the '82 Tonys. See both renditions and decide for yourself. (Scrub through to 3:33 for just Holliday)
Jennifer Holiday = AMAZING
Posted by: Zimmergirl | November 27, 2006 at 01:13 PM
Hudson all the way...Holiday is too gruff for my liking.
Posted by: danpatric | November 27, 2006 at 03:19 PM
Yeah, it was fine.
Am I meanie for wishing Hollywood would take a break from any kind of musical production altogether?
Posted by: Caroline Bingley | November 27, 2006 at 08:58 PM
There is NO COMPARISON!! Jennifer Holiday ROCKS!!!!
Posted by: Des Bois | December 05, 2006 at 07:54 AM
With 18 days to the wide opening, I am exhausted from hearing about Dreamgirls. Being a theater professional, this story/show has been part of my life for 26 years. I have to say that after listen to the soundtrack, neither Foxx or Murphy have the vocal strength to do the music justice. And on Beyonce saying she had to "hold back" physically, what does she think real actors do? They hold back, go over the top or whatever choice they make to make their character work. You don't hear other actors on almost every chat show talking about their personal character choices.
Posted by: anastasia beaverhausen | December 06, 2006 at 07:42 AM