Musicals: December 2006 Archives

First of all, I don't know how I can call myself a gay man and not ever have seen a stage production of "Naked Boys Singing." So I think it's a good thing that this current off-Broadway musical hit that has also played all over the world, is being made into the full-length movie by Funny Boy Films, according to an article I just read in The Hollywood Reporter. The movie has been shooting this week at L.A.'s Hayworth Theater. A behind-the-scenes documentary of the nudity-ffilled-feature has also been filmed. The movie version of the 16-song revue is being directed by Robert Schrock, who directed the original stage production and is being produced by Kirkland Tibbles. Since opening at L.A.'s Celebration Theater in 1998 then moving to its current New York run a year later, "Naked Boys Singing" has played in more than 20 countries and tourned theaters around the U.S. But there has been controversy at times such as being shut down by the local vice squad in Milwaukee as well as in Atlanta and in Puerto Rico.
Well, now I GOTTA see it! Will keep ya posted on release dates etc.

I've never met Andy Cohen, the senior vice president of production and programming at Bravo, but I sure love his blog which is on Bravo's Outzone TV page. Andy is a huge fan of "Dreamgirls" and of the Supremes, whose story inspired the movie. He posted one of the most in-depth interviews I have yet to see with former Supreme Mary Wilson and I am not only providing the link (above) but some excerpts of what I found to be most compelling:

ANDY: BEYONCE SAYS SHE STUDIED THE SUPREMES AND SPECIFICALLY DIANA ROSS.. DID YOU SEE DIANA IN DEENA?
MARY:She didn't... I don't know if it was directorial decision or an actresses decision or what but in the original play it was that way as well. That character was not a Diana Ross character per se in total - only in the facade. It was not really the inside of the person. It didn't go there. That would've changed the script if she was playing Diana. As an actress she could've made different choices to be more knowledgeable but that would've been TOO Diana Ross. This way they have an out - it's loosely based. Diana is not that character in all respects. And I thought that was fine. Unles they were going to say outright it was about us. They have not said this is our story. The Jennifer Holiday character IS Florence [Ballard]. Most people don't know that but that is Florence. That's what happened basically along with a lot of other things, I don't think the mass public really has a clue about that part.

ANDY: THERE IS A LOT OF SPECULATION ABOUT WHETHER DIANA ROSS IS GOING TO EMBRACE THIS FILM IN THE WAY THAT YOU HAVE..... ANY THOUGHTS?
MARY: I've always wanted our story to be told so I embrace the play because sitting there watching the play in the 80s... people ask when I knew the Supremes had made it - and seeing the play was one of those moments. That was one of the moments when I saw that our career, when I saw those three girls from the Brewster projects had dared to dream had made them come true. That was one of those moments that I knew we had truly impressed the world. Whether they say it's our story or inspired by or what, that was the moment I embraced it because it showed me we had touched the world with our being, with our songs, with our look - I mean look they're copying our images, it's not us but it's our image! You can't say that for the Ronettes! Of course I embraced it. We made history.

ANDY: SO THEN WHY WOULDN'T DIANA EMBRACE IT?
MARY: Because she also made history as Diana Ross, so obviously for her that's what she wants to embrace. And that's her right. That's her right. For me I didn't go on to become a major star. I went on to become a major great human being, but the world doesn't want to read about that in rag magazines! (Laughs) But I am a great human being! I am what my mother wanted me to be and she was very proud of me. My intentions are good and I want to do great and do the right thing and that's the most you can want in life. I've said before that If I had to die, I would want to come back as Mary Wilson. I like me that much. I remember a friend of mine said that a big executive told him, 'that Mary Wilson thinks she's a such a star.' Well, right! I've always thought I was a star - when I was in kindergarten I was a star! I think more people should feel like that. People should feel good about yourself, it doesn't mean you're better than anyone else..

Working for the TV show "Extra," Wilson conducted s television interview with Beyance Knowles and Jennifer Hudson at the "Dreamgirls" premiere in L.A. last week. Wilson asked Hudson about Jennifer Holliday, who originated Hudson's role on Broadway and who has felt snubbed by the moviemakers and the studio:

ANDY: DID [HUDSON] GIVE [HOLLIDAY] THE CREDIT?
MARY: Yes she did. People have got to be honest and have enough integrity in themselves to speak out, and Jennifer has got to come out and talk about how wonderful it was to be a part of it. No one's gonna come out and beg you to do something if they can make money without you. I learned that. So you have got to stand up on your own and take your own credit. This young girl does not know probably how to embrace Jennifer Holiday, which would be a wonderful thing for her because she (Hudson) has the pipes to do this part and can also give credit to Holiday for creating the part... It's like having Aretha Franklin and Gladys Knight meet, you know, they're both great singers and they can meet together and be friends. This spearation thing, this competion - I don't like it, I hate it. People of our race especially. We've got to embrace each other. We've all done great things and the next generation is gonna carry on and do better but no one should forget what was done before them to pave the way. We walk on their shoulders. I hope that my asking the question helped things along. I want people to know that Jennifer Hudson does respect Jennifer Holiday.

ANDY: THIS IS GOING TO OPEN UP ANOTHER ROUND OF PEOPLE WANTING YOU, DIANA, AND CINDY [BIRDSONG - FLO BALLARD'S REPLACEMENT] TO GET BACK TOGETHER. IS THERE A SNOWBALL'S CHANCE IN HELL?
MARY: If Diana decides she wants to do it, it'll happen. You need her to want it to happen and she may not want it to happen and that's her right. If she does I will be right there waiting. But only when she wants to and comes to me and says she wants to. People keep asking me and I keep saying "ask diana, stop asking me" Are you afraid to ask her? Did she scare you all that much? she's not that tough! (laughs)

ANDY: ARE YOU TWO IN TOUCH?
MARY: On occasions. Rare occasions.

For those of you with Dreamgirls fatigue, just skip this post! One of the movie critics who I respect the most, and who is not a snob about movies, is Joe Morgenstern of the Wall Street Journal whose Friday reviews are a must-read. Joe may have to see plenty of clunkers but he loves movies and it comes through in this review of "Dreamgirls" which he acknowledges has dramatic problems when it comes to the story. But he gives full credit to Hudson for making it all OK in the end. Here is some of what he wrote today:

"The human voice in full cry borders on the miraculous - an infant's throat can project tones of piercing urgency at phenomenal intensity. Then there's the phenomenon of Jennifer Hudson: her soaring, sinuous voice raises up the film version of "Dreamgirls" and finally transcends it...It's one of those show-stopping performances that makes your heart race and your ears stand on end-full of unrequited love and ferocious passion. She's the best part of the show by far."

He writes that when Hudson, as the wronged Effie launches into the show's signature anthem "And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going," and other songs, "all's right with the world."

Morgenstern praises writer-director Bill Condon who he says "has done the original 'Dreamgirls' proud...What's up there on the screen looks grand and sounds grander, a sumptious vehicle that glides from one number to the next - with periodic slowdowns for melodrama - like the two-toned Caddy in one of its songs."

It was even better the second time around. I'm blown away by it. After seeing "Dreamgirls" for the second time, I'm even more appreciative of this film written and directed by Bill Condon which hits theaters nationwide on Dec. 22 but begins exclusive engagements in Los Angeles and New York on Friday. I suggest buying the movie's soundtrack right away and get yourself nice and ready for this delicious movie-going experience - the best musical Hollywood has put out in many years. Better than "Chicago," better than "Moulin Rouge." It is already garnering nominations from critics' groups and I predict will get more nods than any other movie when the Golden Globe nominations are announced tomorrow morning.
I've already gone on and on about Jennifer Hudson's star-making turn as Effie White and, well, I repeat all of that with an exclamation point! All of her numbers are first-rate including "Love You I Do," "One Night Only" and "I Am Changing."

But let me say this, whatever you may hear about her nailing "And I'm Telling You, I'm Not Going," she's even better than that. The audience burst into applause when the number was over and I was, again, astonished at the absolute brilliance of it. What a moment in film history. She sings it so powerfully but she feels it too and conveys that to the audience - her heartbreak. God, she is GOOD!
I also had even more appreciation for Eddie Murphy's career-transforming performance as James "Thunder" Early. You will never think of him the same way again. My friend Donn, who I took to the screening, asked, "Is THAT him really singing?" It is. No stand-in! The guy can sing, dance, be funny, be tragic...be BRILLIANT! And Anika Noni Rose? She the third member of the Dreams and obviously modeled after the Supremes' Mary Wilson. She is sweet and lovely and can really sing a number. I overlooked her the first time as I just tried to process all the talent on the screen but this time I took her in and realize what a great performance she gives as the singer in the middle of Effie's dramas and Deena (Beyonce Knowles) rise to superstardom.
Beyonce is perfect in a role that doesn't have near the meat of Hudson's but does have its own moments, especially when the singer absolutely brings the house down with the anthem "Listen." She's singing it as a goodbye to Jamie Foxx's Curtis and Foxx deserves credit for getting all he can out of a role that is far less flashy than Murphy's. Foxx says so much with his eyes.
And now, for the hunk factor which I didn't address before. Eddie Murphy looks great but Jamie Foxx (forgive me) is a stone-cold FOX! One of the sexiest leading men to ever grace the screen.
And what about the gorgeous and oh-so-talented Keith Robinson who plays's Effie's brother (and the group's songwriter) C.C. White. How could I not have not paid ample enough attention to this stunning man during my first viewing? He sings beautifully and is as much a hearthrob as Foxx.
I promise to not review the film each time I see it because I will probably see in a bunch of times - that's how much I love it. But I want to congratulate this fine cast, Bill Condon for putting together the best movie of the year, honor composer and lyricist Henry Krieger and Tom Eyen, high-five producer Laurence Mark, give kudos to cinematographer Tobias Schliessler, choreographer Fatima Robinson, editor Virginia Katz, costume designer Sharen Davis, production designer John Myhre, and a big hand for casting director Debra Zane (what a genius) who cast the film with the help of Jay Binder.
Standing ovations all around!!!