Agreed. Its also worth noting that SLR is an alto and couldn't belt those high notes like Holliday and Devine. All of Deena's onstage music is written in her upper register, forcing her head tones more than her full voice, thus creating the illusion of a lighter singing voice. Brilliant on the composer's part.
Sounds like Curtis grew up singing in Gospel choir. "Heavy" really has to be seen to be appreciated. I saw Roz Ryan as Effie in the show in 1985, and she really killed it in this number. I also saw Miss Holliday twice on tour and she knocked "Heavy" out of the park as well. It would be hard to live up to those 2.
I wish producers would stop casting heavier girls to play Effie. That's not what the character is about. Effie is kicked out of the group because of her attitude, not her weight. Producers should follow what Michael Bennett did with the character and cast girls who have the acting chops, the attitude, and the voice. The last girl he casted as Effie was a thin, beautiful, lungs-of-steel girl named Sharon Brown. And she proved to be one of the best Effie ever!
@babyboi1002 , I agree. Effie doesn't just need a big voice, it has to be unique too- a voice that no one but Effie Melody White would have. THAT'S what made Jennifer Holliday's interpretation so legendary. I do have to say, though, on behalf of this production, I love the girl playing Lorrell. She sounds ferocious and fiery where most Lorrells shrink into the little girl vibe of her. And she's owning it.
Mediocre performances like this are why I wish I knew the proper steps for putting on this production!!!! This is one of, if not my favorite scenes in the whole show! When done right, its amazing! Seems like they put more money in the quality of the sets and costumes and not in the quality of actors and music production!
Thanks for posting these audios, amazing quality. I'm missing out :( Hopefully it's coming to London/West End. Could you post I'M LOOKIN FOR SOMETHIN' and MOVE :)
@babyboi1002 Nothing irritates me more than a Deena who can sing as good as Effie!!! Deena vocally based upoun Diana Ross or even Dionne Warwick for that matter.Effie is Arethea ,Gladys,Patti. See the difference people
I totally agree! I am sure I will enjoy seeing the new show strictly b/c Hey it's Dreamgirls!! But I need my original ACT II opening. My unabridged One Night Only Disco... No Listen!!! I think Syeasha is beautiful, but I need a different type of Deena!!! I am just glad I have all my OBC stuff and my bootlegs of the unchanged productions with Frenchie and etc..
Deena should be able to carry a tune, but not from the depths of her soul like Effie. Too many Deenas are too good vocally for the part. How hard is it to find a pretty actress with only minimal vocal talent?
@babyboi1002 i totally agree Deena is not suppose to be a great singer....and it takes away from the show...its sad that the best version of this show has been the originals....they need to go back and start over and cast the way michael saw it!
@babyboi1002 I know what you mean from what I've seen and heard. There's something thats less "soulful" in the orchestrations than from back in the day.
Agreed. Its also worth noting that SLR is an alto and couldn't belt those high notes like Holliday and Devine. All of Deena's onstage music is written in her upper register, forcing her head tones more than her full voice, thus creating the illusion of a lighter singing voice. Brilliant on the composer's part.
Sounds like Curtis grew up singing in Gospel choir. "Heavy" really has to be seen to be appreciated. I saw Roz Ryan as Effie in the show in 1985, and she really killed it in this number. I also saw Miss Holliday twice on tour and she knocked "Heavy" out of the park as well. It would be hard to live up to those 2.
I wish producers would stop casting heavier girls to play Effie. That's not what the character is about. Effie is kicked out of the group because of her attitude, not her weight. Producers should follow what Michael Bennett did with the character and cast girls who have the acting chops, the attitude, and the voice. The last girl he casted as Effie was a thin, beautiful, lungs-of-steel girl named Sharon Brown. And she proved to be one of the best Effie ever!
@babyboi1002 , I agree. Effie doesn't just need a big voice, it has to be unique too- a voice that no one but Effie Melody White would have. THAT'S what made Jennifer Holliday's interpretation so legendary.
I do have to say, though, on behalf of this production, I love the girl playing Lorrell. She sounds ferocious and fiery where most Lorrells shrink into the little girl vibe of her. And she's owning it.
Mediocre performances like this are why I wish I knew the proper steps for putting on this production!!!! This is one of, if not my favorite scenes in the whole show! When done right, its amazing! Seems like they put more money in the quality of the sets and costumes and not in the quality of actors and music production!
I saw this tour in Pittsburgh....It was AMAZING.
Thanks for posting these audios, amazing quality. I'm missing out :( Hopefully it's coming to London/West End. Could you post I'M LOOKIN FOR SOMETHIN' and MOVE :)
I'm sorry, but I adore the new production and the cast!!!
No where in the breakdown does it say that Deena be a mediocre singer .
God this sucks. Michael Bennett must be rolling over in his grave.
@babyboi1002 Nothing irritates me more than a Deena who can sing as good as Effie!!! Deena vocally based upoun Diana Ross or even Dionne Warwick for that matter.Effie is Arethea ,Gladys,Patti. See the difference people
I totally agree! I am sure I will enjoy seeing the new show strictly b/c Hey it's Dreamgirls!! But I need my original ACT II opening. My unabridged One Night Only Disco... No Listen!!! I think Syeasha is beautiful, but I need a different type of Deena!!! I am just glad I have all my OBC stuff and my bootlegs of the unchanged productions with Frenchie and etc..
Is this the 2016 tour? No discount to those actresses, but there was no blend. It really was just yelling.
Please tell me this is the one with moya Angela in it cause she the QUEEEEN!!!
@atlsuperstar I will say Linda wasn't a bad singer at all...but she sure as hell looked the part...lol!
SO SO SO True!
Deena should be able to carry a tune, but not from the depths of her soul like Effie. Too many Deenas are too good vocally for the part. How hard is it to find a pretty actress with only minimal vocal talent?
Its a musical !!! you still need good vocal ability and technique. Not just mediocre....
@babyboi1002 I dont either, I totally agreem wit you .Deena should NEVER sing as good or half as good as Effie
@babyboi1002 i totally agree Deena is not suppose to be a great singer....and it takes away from the show...its sad that the best version of this show has been the originals....they need to go back and start over and cast the way michael saw it!
@babyboi1002 I know what you mean from what I've seen and heard. There's something thats less "soulful" in the orchestrations than from back in the day.
@MarrzyDouglas I second this request! Love the Stepp Sisters number! :-D
@MotownConnoisseur30 you couldnt be more wrong