Steve On Broadway (SOB)

Living The Dreams

Living The Dreams

Just over twenty years ago, I took in the touring production of Michael Bennett's sizzling, sensational Broadway show Dreamgirls at the National Theatre in Washington, DC. I remember being completely awed by its intense emotional honesty and gorgeous, rich score.

Of course, by the time I had actually seen Dreamgirls in April of 1986, the original show had already opened and closed on Broadway. The musical first opened at the Imperial Theatre on December 20, 1981 and closed on August 15, 1985 after 1,521 regular performances.

Thankfully, I had seen the 1982 Tony Awards where it had been nominated for thirteen awards. Although the show was passed over for Best Musical in favor of Nine, it did score a total of six wins, including for Jennifer Holliday as Best Actress in a Musical for her brave portrayal of Effie Melody White.

During the awards broadcast, Tony Randall introduced Holliday and her fellow castmembers for an extended performance of what was to become her signature song, "And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going" (see clip below). I recall being absolutely mesmerized with Holliday's performance during the awards program. I had witnessed raw talent at its finest.


As a regular listener to Casey Kasem's "American Top 40" radio countdown of the upper two-fifths of Billboard's Hot 100 list, I cheered when the song made its debut later that same summer and enthusiastically charted its progress as it climbed all the way to number 22 in the fall of 1982. The haunting tune will forever live on the soundtrack -- if you will -- of my own life.

So when the opportunity to see Dreamgirls came to my then hometown of Washington, DC in the spring of 1986, I leapt at the chance to go see it. The ticket for Mezzanine D 112 set me back an exorbitant $40 -- much more than I ever previously paid for any entertainment event. Yet somehow, my memories of Holliday's performance more than justified the cost in my mind.

I was still relatively new to the whole concept of seeing Great White Way fare. By the time I saw Dreamgirls, I had actually only seen one show on Broadway: Cats in 1985 (to this day, I've never understood the appeal of that long-running hit).

The remainder of my brief experience in seeing live theatre from New York had either been on the West End (Annie in 1979) or limited to other touring companies (Julie Harris in The Belle Of Amherst in 1980, Neil Simon's Chapter Two in 1980 and Bennett's seminal hit A Chorus Line in 1981).

The touring cast of Dreamgirls visiting DC 21 years ago included Sharon Brown as Effie (she would ultimately replace Lillias White in the brief 1987 Broadway revival), Deborah Burrell as Deena Jones (she had originally portrayed Michelle Morris on Broadway and ultimately replaced Sheryl Lee Ralph as Deena Jones), Lawrence Clayton as C.C. White (Clayton had served as a replacement to the original C.C. Obba Babatundé), Herbert L. Rawlings as James Thunder Early (Rawlings would revisit the role in the 1987 revival), Weyman Thompson as Curtis Taylor, Jr. (Thompson had various roles in the original Dreamgirls and replaced that production's first Curtis Ben Harney; he later originated the role of Curtis in the 1987 revival) and Arnetia Walker as Lorrell Robinson (a role she would reprise in the '87 Broadway revival).

There was something about Dreamgirls that took hold within me. The story about Effie Melody White was so overpowering that it became the standard by which I judged other musicals.

So great and lasting was its impact that when I learned that a now significantly slimmed-down Jennifer Holliday herself would reprise her Tony-winning turn as Effie at Atlanta's Fabulous Fox Theatre in July of 2002, I snagged some tickets online, flew down to Georgia and was completely blown away by her performance (as well as the rest of the production).

Here's what I said previously about that wonderful, memorable performance, which I ranked third among all the shows I saw during the 2002-03 Theatrical Season:

Dreamgirls (Fox Theatre, Atlanta, GA) – Reprising her career-making role as Effie, Jennifer Holliday returned to her theatrical roots one last time and brought the house down with one of the most satisfying, yet gut-wrenching performances of her signature song, “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going.” There was not one dry eye in Atlanta’s Fabulous Fox Theatre. And the rest of the production was every bit as excellent.

In addition to Holliday (who for that last stint as Effie required a fat suit to portray her), the excellent cast included Alisa Gyse reprising her 1987 Broadway revival role as Deena Jones, Norm Lewis reprising his 2001 Broadway benefit concert performance as Curtis Taylor, Jr., Joe Wilson, Jr. as C.C. White, Eugene Fleming as James Thunder Early and Ramona Keller as Lorrell Robinson.

While I realize now that my tastes have matured over the course of the past 28 years that I've been seeing Broadway productions, and some of them creakingly show their age, Dreamgirls remains timeless. If anything, my 2002 visit to the show made me proud for distinguishing excellence at a younger, easily impressionable age.


Which brings me to last night when I finally had the opportunity to see the silver screen treatment for this great American musical. With all my heartfelt emotion for Dreamgirls' story, I have anxiously awaited the screen adaptation from the moment I first learned it was in the works. I was thrilled just seeing the trailer one year ago, and last month, I rushed out the day the soundtrack was first in the stores to get my first real taste of the talent in the film.

Since I was in Australia over the Holidays -- and the film has yet to be released there -- I purposely and studiously avoided reading any of the reviews so I could form my own opinion. I'm no movie critic, but I can tell you that I adored this gem. I loved it.

While the silver screen incarnation differs in many substantive ways from its stage predecessor, the heart and soul were more than left intact. While no one can touch the riveting live portrayal of Effie quite the way it was performed by Jennifer Holliday, Jennifer Hudson came awfully close (I still maintain that there's nothing like a truly live performance regardless of who's in the role). She was as near perfection as anyone could possibly hope for. Hudson more than connected solidly with the audience and in my humble estimation is completely deserving of an Oscar.

Virtually every performance in "Dreamgirls" was impressive, including those from Beyoncé Knowles as Deena Jones, Jamie Foxx as Curtis Taylor, Jr. and Anika Noni Rose as Lorrell Robinson. However, special props must surely be reserved for Eddie Murphy as James Thunder Early and Keith Robinson as C.C. White.

But ultimately, the story and its music are the prevailing stars. Just as I found tears flowing down my face during my two visits to see the stage versions of Dreamgirls, I experienced the same empathy, joy and pain of this moving and distinctly American story once again at the movies.

If you haven't yet had the opportunity to experience this riveting piece, do yourself a favor and get thee hence to a movie theatre near you. And should Dreamgirls ever tread the boards again, make it a point to see the show live.

This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).

Labels: Atlanta, Broadway, Dreamgirls, Film, Jennifer Holliday, Musical, Washington DC

posted by Steve On Broadway (SOB) @ Saturday, January 06, 2007 5 comments

Dreamgirls (The SOB Review)

Dreamgirls (The SOB Review) – Fox Theatre, Atlanta, GA

**** (out of ****)

The biggest theatre event of the year may have been Arthur Laurents’ production of Gypsy starring Patti LuPone in New York, but some 800 or so miles to the south-southwest, another event -- Dreamgirls starring the incomparable Jennifer Holliday -- was giving it a run for its money.

When Jennifer Hudson’s beautifully nuanced performance earned her a very well-deserved Academy Award, it seemed as though the torch of Effie Melody White had finally been successfully passed to a new generation with considerable aplomb.

Yet the specter of Jennifer Holliday’s haunting creation of the original Dreamgirl never completely vanished. Despite having truly created the role of Effie, the movie provided no obligatory tip of the hat toward the former Tony-winning best actress in the big screen retelling -- no cameo, no nothing.

But there she was last February, singing on a balcony overlooking Hollywood’s Kodak Theatre and the Academy Awards, defiantly belting out her signature tune on the very night Hudson’s brilliant work would be honored as if to prove that the young actress/singer was welcome to borrow Effie Melody White, but no one else could truly own it.

Personally, I thought the way in which the film story was told was riveting and moving. But it was most definitely not the Dreamgirls that first captured my heart back in the 80s. Much had changed rather dramatically, but nothing more so that Effie’s story.

Ironically, the character of Effie was relegated to that of a second-stringer in the film, a supporting character whose story -- just like her lead-singer status -- was demoted to back-up Deena Jones.

More recently, the two Effies converged on the BET Network for a duet on “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going” that demonstrated how formidable this über-Effie could really be. To Hudson’s enormous credit, major props were given to the lady who gave birth to the role, and rather than overpowering the young upstart, Holliday instead simply brought the song home to rousing effect.

All of this Effie-ness came to an exhilarating conclusion over the past couple weeks at Atlanta’s Fabulous Fox Theatre. As if to prove that she and Effie are not going to take a backseat to anyone, Jennifer Holliday returned one more time to role that for more than a quarter century was hers and hers alone. In a glorious and absolutely thrilling performance, not only does Jennifer Holliday triumphantly reclaim the mantle of Effie Melody White, but she reigns supreme. Holliday maintains the undisputed claim on Effie.

While Holliday alone would have made this Dreamgirls dazzle, she was not alone in providing some truly magical and electrifying performances. In fact, the moment I realized this show would be otherworldly was at the onset of “Steppin’ To The Bad Side” when the foursome of Curtis Taylor Jr. (a superb David Jennings), C.C. White (Destan Owens), James Thunder Early (a mostly pitch-perfect Eugene Fleming) and Wayne (James Harkness) sent the first, palpable jolt of energized lightning ricocheting through the receptive audience, thanks in part due to Kevyn Morrow’s supercharged choreography (Morrow played C.C. in the 1987 Broadway revival).

Once the audience was overcome with pure unadulterated excitement, the performances -- including those by a Cindy Herron-Braggs as a less than benevolent diva Deena Jones, who claws her way to the top, and Brandi Chavonne Massey as a luscious Lorrell Robinson -- continued building steam. And it certainly didn't hurt that Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj's gorgeous revival of Dreamgirls once again rolled out the original Broadway costume and set designs created by Theoni V. Aldredge and Robin Wagner, respectively.

When it comes to Dreamgirls’ plot points, it’s worth noting that the film’s story arc differs substantially from its original source material. As noted above, Effie Melody White remains the central story in the stage show.

Here, she has the heartwrenching epiphany that that her demotion to back-up singer to Deena coincides precisely with the blossoming of an affair between the newly-anointed diva and Curtis, who stole Effie’s heart and virtue early on. To see Effie fall in love earlier is to see the comic heart of Holliday’s performance; but to see Effie’s double whammy fall from grace is to see the heart of the show.

As powerful as Hudson’s performance in the movie was, it’s this added nuance that makes Holliday’s delivery of “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going” so particularly potent on stage. Somehow, Holliday pulls this incredible outpouring of heartbroken anguish from the deepest, innermost recesses of her very being and spews it forth in an as chilling a show-stopping performance as I have ever seen. The angst of Holliday’s Effie is not only that of a dream lost, but more importantly, of a love lost.

One of my friends who joined me for both this and Holliday’s last outing as Effie at the very same theatre five years ago observed that watching this Dreamgirls on the heels of silver screen version was like filling the blanks. For me, seeing this Dreamgirls was a chance to once again witness one of the greatest live theatrical performances of all time and savor it.

This is Steve On Broaday (SOB).

Related Stories:
Talk To The Hands: Jennifers Edition (June 28, 2007)
The Hits From Coast To Coast (March 8, 2007)
Holliday: You're Gonna Love Me...Again! (February 20, 2007)
Dreamgirls Revival Heading Toward Broadway? (January 26, 2007)
Living The Dreams (January 6, 2007)
Flashback: Best of 2002-03 (May 25, 2006)

Labels: Atlanta, Dreamgirls, Film, Jennifer Holliday, Jennifer Hudson, Musical, Revival

posted by Steve On Broadway (SOB) @ Monday, July 30, 2007 0 comments

Dreamgirls (The SOB Review)

Dreamgirls (The SOB Review) – Apollo Theatre, New York City, New York

**1/2 (out of ****)

Dreams don’t necessarily always come true, at least not in the way you hope.

But a partial realization is better than a complete pipedream going up in smoke. And so it goes not only with the lofty aspirations of Effie Melody White in Dreamgirls, but also with the entertaining, if somewhat disappointing, revival of the musical itself.

When I learned that this show, one of my all-time favorite musicals, would be revived -- and at the Apollo Theatre, no less, the fabled venue prominently featured in the tuner’s opening scene -- I began to fantasize about how a new stage incarnation could reclaim the collective consciousness of an audience whose memories of the original had been wrestled away by the decent, if dramatically different silver screen incarnation from 2007.

Director Robert Longbottom’s Dreamgirls may have avoided stepping into the bad side in the most pejorative of senses. Yet it’s remarkable how many steps backward he’s taken via liberties with the vastly superior original book by Tom Eyen, as well as making it seem a bit cartoonish.

Not only has a new version of the song “Listen” been lifted from the film version (this time sung as a duet between Effie Melody White and Deena Jones), but like the movie, this Dreamgirls has unnecessarily shifted too much of its heart away from what should be Effie’s enthralling and supremely urgent story. In doing so, the irony is that Longbottom has nearly subjugated Effie to the type of supporting role her character rails against playing within the fictional Dreams.

There are flashes of brilliance in its hardworking cast to be sure, and they make Henry Krieger and Eyen's score come alive. It should be heartbreaking to watch any rendition of “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going.” Fortunately, Moya Angela wells up with the requisite mix of anger and anguish to nearly make this the show-stopping tune it’s intended to be.

However, nearly all of this Dreamgirls’ biggest flourishes come from the giant LED screens that Howard Werner has used in lieu of scenery. That’s not necessarily all bad as the dizzying array of displayed images provide an added texture to the proceedings. Unfortunately, it’s almost the single most electrifying aspect of the show, and all fingers point back to Longbottom again for not investing more in his talented cast’s ability to move the story along with heart and soul.

The biggest exception here, and it is extraordinarily large, is Chester Gregory’s astonishing, captivating turn as the fictional R&B pioneer, James “Thunder” Early. Gregory’s supporting performance is so electrifying that his breathtaking mega-wattage practically leaves those illuminated LED panels in the dark.

Longbottom’s slick choreography is serviceable, albeit a tad uninspired, much like his direction, leaving dreams dashed for those anticipating something truly unforgettable. At least this Dreamgirls avoids devolving into a nightmare, and is more enjoyable than not.

This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).

In keeping with the new Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulations that unfairly discriminate against bloggers, who are now required by law to disclose when they have received anything of value they might write about, please note that I have received nothing of value in exchange for this post. I paid my own way for this performance.

Labels: Apollo Theatre, Chester Gregory II, Dreamgirls, Moya Angela, Musical, New York City, Off-Broadway, Revival, Robert Longbottom, The SOB Review

posted by Steve On Broadway (SOB) @ Sunday, December 06, 2009 0 comments

And I'm Telling You I'm Going...

And I'm Telling You I'm Going...

Nearly 28 long years after Henry Krieger and Tom Eyen's Dreamgirls first took Broadway by storm, a new revival is opening tonight a few miles to the north at Harlem's estimable entertainment shrine, the Apollo Theatre. Seems especially appropriate and exciting given that Dreamgirls begins with an off-stage announcer intoning, "Ladies and gentlemen, the Apollo Theatre continues its legendary talent contest..."

Directed and choreographed by Robert Longbottom, this Dreamgirls stars Moya Angela in the coveted role of Effie Melody White, Syesha Mercado as Deana Jones, Adrienne Warren as Lorrell Robinson, Chaz Lamar Shepherd as Curtis Taylor, Trevon Davis as C.C. White and Chester Gregory as James "Thunder" Early.

If you're a regular reader of Steve On Broadway, you know that this ranks among my all-time favorite musicals, which I first saw almost a quarter century ago when a touring production visited Washington DC's National Theatre.

That 1986 incarnation of Dreamgirls starred Sharon Brown as Effie (she would ultimately replace Lillias White in the brief 1987 Broadway revival), Deborah Burrell as Deena Jones (she had originally portrayed Michelle Morris on Broadway and ultimately replaced Sheryl Lee Ralph as Deena Jones), Lawrence Clayton as C.C. White (Clayton had served as a replacement to the original C.C. Obba Babatundé), Herbert L. Rawlings as James Thunder Early (Rawlings would revisit the role in the 1987 revival), Weyman Thompson as Curtis Taylor, Jr. (Thompson had various roles in the original Dreamgirls and replaced that production's first Curtis Ben Harney; he later originated the role of Curtis in the 1987 revival) and Arnetia Walker as Lorrell Robinson (a role she would reprise in the '87 Broadway revival).

As I've previously noted, when I first saw Dreamgirls, there was something so vital and raw that took hold within me. The story about Effie Melody White was so overpowering that it became a standard by which I judged other musicals. I was completely awed by its intense emotional honesty and gorgeous, rich score.

By the time I had actually seen Dreamgirls in 1986, the original show had already opened and closed on Broadway. The musical first opened at the Imperial Theatre on December 20, 1981 and closed on August 15, 1985 after 1,521 regular performances. But I had the opportunity to see Jennifer Holliday perform what would become her signature tune "And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going" at the 1982 Tony Awards. I was simply blown away by her heartfelt performance as she recreated her heartthumping visceral rendition, which you can see here.

Since 1986, I've enjoyed two enormously entertaining opportunities -- both in Atlanta -- to witness the great Jennifer Holliday perform on stage as Effie Melody White. But now the torch has been passed to a new generation with the start of a national tour, officially kicking off with its November 22 opening at the venerable Apollo Theatre, the landmark that has given rise to so many legendary performers throughout its storied history. Reports indicate that the show will not only tour internationally, but that there's even a chance it may return the New York City for a possible Broadway berth.

I'm hoping and praying that director Longbottom does not disappoint (as he unfortunately did with the current Broadway revival of Bye Bye Birdie). I'm happy to report that the advance buzz I'm hearing from an array of voices I trust is that this could very well be a dream come true.

And I'm telling you, I'm going to be at the Apollo soon with a full report on my own experience.

This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).

Labels: Broadway, Dreamgirls, Jennifer Holliday, Musical, Revival, Robert Longbottom

posted by Steve On Broadway (SOB) @ Sunday, November 22, 2009 0 comments

Dreamgirls Revival Heading Toward Broadway?

Labels: Broadway, Dreamgirls, Film, First Word On New Show, Jennifer Holliday, Musical, Revival

posted by Steve On Broadway (SOB) @ Friday, January 26, 2007 2 comments

Holliday: You're Gonna Love Me...Again!

Holliday: You're Gonna Love Me...Again!

Jennifer Holliday will once again reprise the theatrical role that made her a Tony-winning star. Come this July, the 46 year-old Holliday will return to Atlanta's Fabulous Fox Theatre to portray Effie Melody White in the Theatre of the Stars' revival of Dreamgirls.

The production is in conjunction with The National Black Arts Festival; Dreamgirls is scheduled to run July 20-29.

Now, before you all go on about how she's no longer age appropriate for the role, consider this: when she last appeared in a staging of Dreamgirls at the very same venue a mere five summers ago, she triumphed in single-handedly stopping the show. She truly brought down the house.

Having missed her original Broadway performance, I made tracks to Atlanta in 2002 just to witness her as Effie. Seeing her was to see musical history. I'll forever place her performance among the best I've ever experienced. And trust me, it was an experience unlike any other.

Holliday previously pledged never to revisit the role again. With talk of a new Broadway revival starring Jennifer Hudson, the same dynamo who claimed the role of Effie in that "little" film version of "Dreamgirls," could it be that Holliday is out to prove once again that no one can ever push her to the sidelines over the role of a lifetime that she created?

Whatever the case may be, I might just find it necessary to check into flights for Atlanta once again.

Post Script (February 23, 2007): Jennifer Holliday is the subject of a feature in Friday's USA Today in which she discusses the film version of "Dreamgirls," her singing role near the Oscars and her decision to move forward with another go at Effie Melody White. I'm telling you, I am going to Atlanta!

This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).

Click here for ticket information.
Related Stories:
Dreamgirls Revival Heading Toward Broadway? (January 26, 2007)
Living The Dreams (January 6, 2007)
Flashback: Best of 2002-03 (May 25, 2006)

Labels: Atlanta, Broadway, Dreamgirls, First Word On New Show, Jennifer Holliday, Jennifer Hudson, Musical, Revival

posted by Steve On Broadway (SOB) @ Tuesday, February 20, 2007 7 comments

SOB's Favorite Shows Of The Noughties: #12 - Dreamgirls

SOB's Favorite Shows Of The Noughties: #12 - Dreamgirls (2007, Fox Theatre, Atlanta, GA)

Introduction: Hard as it is to comprehend that we're already 119 months into this "new" millennium, we are fast approaching the end of its first decade. While we have yet to agree on what exactly we should call the '00s, I'll take a cue from the fine folks at The Times of London and the BBC and henceforth refer to them at the Noughties.

With that small introduction, I'm pleased to present my list of plays and musicals that wowed me the most during that time. Out of the hundreds and hundreds of shows I've seen over the last ten years, I give you my countdown of my 25 personal favorite shows of the Noughties.

Tempting fate by returning once more to the role that made her a star over a generation ago, Jennifer Holliday succeeded in proving yet again that she is the quintessential Effie Melody White. In the summer 2007 Atlanta revival of Dreamgirls, the incomparable Holliday seemed to relish further substantiating that she and Effie are not going to take a backseat to anyone. In a glorious and absolutely thrilling performance, not only did Jennifer Holliday triumphantly reclaim the mantle of Effie Melody White, but she reigned supreme.

While Holliday alone would have made this Dreamgirls dazzle, she was not alone in providing some truly magical and electrifying performances. In fact, the moment I realized this revival would be otherworldly was at the onset of “Steppin’ To The Bad Side” when the foursome of Curtis Taylor Jr. (David Jennings), C.C. White (Destan Owens), James Thunder Early (Eugene Fleming) and Wayne (James Harkness) sent the first, palpable jolt of energized lightning ricocheting through the receptive audience, thanks in part due to Kevyn Morrow’s supercharged choreography.

With an audience already overcome with pure unadulterated excitement, Holliday’s delivery of “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going” became particularly potent on stage. Somehow, Holliday pulled this incredible outpouring of heartbroken anguish from the deepest, innermost recesses of her very being and spewed it forth in as chilling a show-stopping performance as I have ever seen. For me, seeing this Dreamgirls was a chance to once again witness one of the greatest live theatrical performances of all time and truly savor it.

This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).

In keeping with the new Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulations that unfairly discriminate against bloggers, who are now required by law to disclose when they have received anything of value they might write about, please note that I have received nothing of value in exchange for this post. I paid my own way for this performance.

Labels: Atlanta, Dreamgirls, Jennifer Holliday, Musical, Revival, SOB's Favorite Shows Of The Noughties

posted by Steve On Broadway (SOB) @ Friday, December 18, 2009 0 comments

SOB's 7 Singular Sensations Of '07 - #7: Jennifer Holliday

SOB's 7 Singular Sensations Of '07 - #7: Jennifer Holliday

Introduction: While others use the end of the year to provide their lists of the top shows of the past year, here at Steve On Broadway (SOB), I wait until the conclusion of the entire Theatrical Season to provide my official tally.

Instead, I'm once again devoting the waning days of the calendar year to celebrate SOB's Singular Sensations -- those magical live performances that have stayed with me throughout the year. During 2007, I have enjoyed, been wowed and ultimately inspired by a dazzling display of excellent performances from some of the theatre world's best actors, singers and dancers of our time.

Without any further ado, I give you SOB's 7 Singular Sensations of '07:

And I’m telling you Miss Jennifer Holliday is one of those rare performers who commands the stage like no other. Making you all but forget Jennifer Hudson as Effie Melody White in a stunning summer revival of Dreamgirls in Atlanta, Holliday triumphantly and effortlessly reclaimed the role she created over a quarter century ago.

Here's what I had to say about Holliday's performance last July:

As if to prove that she and Effie are not going to take a backseat to anyone, Jennifer Holliday returned one more time to role that for more than a quarter century was hers and hers alone. In a glorious and absolutely thrilling performance, not only does Jennifer Holliday triumphantly reclaim the mantle of Effie Melody White, but she reigns supreme. Holliday maintains the undisputed claim on Effie.

(In “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going”) Holliday pulls this incredible outpouring of heartbroken anguish from the deepest, innermost recesses of her very being and spews it forth in an as chilling a show-stopping performance as I have ever seen. The angst of Holliday’s Effie is not only that of a dream lost, but more importantly, of a love lost.

One of my friends who joined me for both this and Holliday’s last outing as Effie at the very same theatre five years ago observed that watching this Dreamgirls on the heels of silver screen version was like filling the blanks. For me, seeing this Dreamgirls was a chance to once again witness one of the greatest live theatrical performances of all time and savor it.

Here's toasting that singular sensation, Jennifer Holliday -- my Effie for the ages!

This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).


Related Stories:
Dreamgirls (The SOB Review) (July 30, 2007)
Living The Dreams (January 6, 2007)
SOB's 6 Singular Sensations Of '06 - #1: Patti LuPone (December 30, 2006)
Honorable Mentions: SOB's Singular Sensations Of '06 (December 30, 2006)
SOB's 6 Singular Sensations Of '06 - #2: Cate Blanchett (December 30, 2006)
SOB's 6 Singular Sensations Of '06 - #3: Chita Rivera (December 29, 2006)
SOB's 6 Singular Sensations Of '06 - #4: Barry Humphries (December 28, 2006)
SOB's 6 Singular Sensations Of '06 - #5: Kitty Carlisle Hart (December 28, 2006)
SOB's 6 Singular Sensations Of '06 - #6: Meryl Streep (December 26, 2006)
Flashback: Best of 2002-03 (May 25, 2006)

Labels: Atlanta, Dreamgirls, Jennifer Holliday, Musical, SOB's 6 Singular Sensations Of '06, SOB's 7 Singular Sensations of '07

posted by Steve On Broadway (SOB) @ Thursday, December 27, 2007 2 comments

SOB's Best Of 2007-08: Best Revivals Of Musicals

SOB's Best Of 2007-08: Best Revivals Of Musicals

During the 2007-08 Theatrical Season, I was in the audience for revivals of nine different musicals from Atlanta to Winnipeg.

If the tuner at the top of my list seems at all familiar, it's because as my all-time favorite musical, it made my list last year as well. And while its leading lady remains the same, this year's production simply blew me away, beyond all expectations.

Here's my personal "5 Best" list of the musical revivals that thrilled me over the past twelve months:

5 - Sunday In The Park With George (Studio 54, Roundabout Theatre Company, New York, NY)

Art isn't easy. But in the hands of director Sam Buntrock, an exquisite theatrical masterpiece literally comes to life, bit by dazzling bit. In the stunning revival of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's Sunday In The Park With George, Buntrock's ingenious staging begins with a blank canvas, but Tim Bird and The Knifedge Creative Network more than effectively fill in the blanks with an enthralling, radiant projection design that is unequivocally the true star of this musical. This fictionalized account of the painstaking, lonely artistic process undertaken by neo-impressionist Georges-Pierre Seurat in creating his pointillistic painting "Sunday Afternoon on the Island of Grande Jatte" benefits from Daniel Evans' manic, disciplined artist. An astounding Jenna Russell renders an impish, yet heartbreaking performance as George's simple-minded and attention-starved muse. As wonderful as this duo is, the performance that touched me the most was the luminescent Mary Beth Peil as George's long-neglected mother sitting stoically in a haunting display of dignified sorrow as her son steals away her chance to know her only grandchild.

Sondheim's memorable score wins the day and eventually helps elevate it to a glorious conclusion. As noted at the beginning of the year, Sunday In The Park With George rated as one of the five stage productions I most eagerly anticipated for 2008. This is unmistakably a great work of art.


4 - Nine (CanWest Global Performing Arts Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada)

Winnipeg's Dry Cold Productions offered a gorgeous revival of Arthur Kopit and Maury Yeston's wonderful Nine last summer featuring amazing Manitoba talent. Who knew? This stark, yet beautiful revival served as an astonishing, albeit frugal, showcase for its fine, amassed troupe. What I've always enjoyed about Nine is its ability to illuminate a man, Guido Contini, who's precariously on the precipice of middle age, afraid to relinquish his youth. This Guido was forcefully played with vigor by Kevin Aichele, whose ability to perfectly capture Guido's playboy rapscallion -- as well as his aching epiphany that's he's no longer the boy he once was -- was nothing short of captivating.

Dry Cold Productions' little musical may have been short-lived and seen by relatively few, but its Nine has loomed large with me ever since taking it in last Memorial Day Weekend.


3 - South Pacific (Vivian Beaumont Theatre, Lincoln Center, New York, NY)

From the moment Ted Sperling cues his 30-piece orchestra, commencing the initial swells from the overture for one of the 20th Century's most beloved musical scores, it's clear that this South Pacific is going to be a special island of enchanting entertainment. Bartlett Sher's surprisingly innovative yet entirely natural direction makes this a truly majestic revival. Sher successfully shakes and stirs a credible concoction with handsome Brazilian baritone Paulo Szot opposite Broadway's serious musical "It Girl" Kelli O'Hara; together, they make an attractive, completely credible pairing. In his stirring portrayal of an evolved expat, Szot succeeded in eliciting genuine tears and chills (from me) as he realizes Nellie's rejection in singing "This Nearly Was Mine."

There are still plenty of great lessons to be learned from South Pacific, which remains a groundbreaking and entertaining landmark musical.


2 - Dreamgirls (Fox Theatre, Atlanta, GA)

Tempting fate by returning once more to the role that made her a star over a generation ago, Jennifer Holliday succeeded in proving yet again that she is the quintessential Effie Melody White. In last summer's Atlanta revival of Dreamgirls, the incomparable Holliday seemed to relish further substantiating that she and Effie are not going to take a backseat to anyone. In a glorious and absolutely thrilling performance, not only did Jennifer Holliday triumphantly reclaim the mantle of Effie Melody White, but she reigned supreme. While Holliday alone would have made this Dreamgirls dazzle, she was not alone in providing some truly magical and electrifying performances. In fact, the moment I realized this revival would be otherworldly was at the onset of “Steppin’ To The Bad Side” when the foursome of Curtis Taylor Jr. (a superb David Jennings), C.C. White (Destan Owens), James Thunder Early (a mostly pitch-perfect Eugene Fleming) and Wayne (James Harkness) sent the first, palpable jolt of energized lightning ricocheting through the receptive audience, thanks in part due to Kevyn Morrow’s supercharged choreography.

With an audience already overcome with pure unadulterated excitement, Holliday’s delivery of “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going” became particularly potent on stage. Somehow, Holliday pulled this incredible outpouring of heartbroken anguish from the deepest, innermost recesses of her very being and spewed it forth in as chilling a show-stopping performance as I have ever seen. For me, seeing this Dreamgirls was a chance to once again witness one of the greatest live theatrical performances of all time and truly savor it.


1 - Gypsy (St. James Theatre, New York, NY)

Gangway world, get off of my superlatives! Suddenly, highfalutin words like "excellent," "superb" and "top-notch" just don't seem sufficient enough to adequately describe the unique experience of seeing the incredible Arthur Laurents-helmed revival of Gypsy now playing Broadway once again. Never have I enjoyed myself more or been so thoroughly entertained by a Rialto musical experience ever. This is most definitely a performance for the ages. To see it is to witness theatrical history being made.

The beauty of this fully-realized Broadway revival is that every breathtaking performance from start to finish matches that offered by the astonishing Patti LuPone, who makes her Rose at once sympathetic, conniving, sexy, funny, tragic and repulsive all at the same time. Add to that poignant portrayals -- the stunning metamorphosis of Louise offered by Laura Benanti in her best performance yet, and the completely credible, quiet dignity in Boyd Gaines' sympathetic take on Herbie -- and you get a classic musical the way it was truly intended to be seen.


What were the best revivals of musicals you saw over the past year? I invite you to join the conversation by sharing your theatre experiences with me.

This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).

Related Stories:
SOB's Best Of 2007-08: Best Revivals Of Plays (May 27, 2008)
SOB's Best Of 2007-08: Best Special Theatrical Events (May 24, 2008)
The SOB Five "Worst" Of 2007-08 (May 23, 2008)
SOB's Best & Worst Of 2007-08 Theatre Season (May 22, 2008)
SOB's Best Of 2006-07: Top Ten Of The Year (June 4, 2007)
SOB's Best Of 2006-07: Best New Musicals (May 22, 2007)
SOB's Best Of 2006-07: Best New Plays (May 21, 2007)
SOB's Best Of 2006-07: Best Revivals Of Musicals (May 18, 2007)
SOB's Best Of 2006-07: Best Revivals Of Plays (May 16, 2007)
The SOB Five "Worst" Of 2006-07 (May 14, 2007)
SOB's Best & Worst Of 2006-07 Theatre Season (May 14, 2007)
SOB's Best of 2005-06: #1 - Theater Of The New Ear (May 30, 2006)
SOB’s Best of 2005-06: #2 – Guys And Dolls (May 26, 2006)
SOB’s Best of 2005-06: #3 – Hedda Gabler (May 25, 2006)
SOB’s Best of 2005-06: #4 – A Blameless Life (May 24, 2006)
SOB’s Best of 2005-06: #5 – Reeling (May 23, 2006)
SOB’s Best of 2005-06: #6 – “MASTER HAROLD”…And The Boys (May 21, 2006)
SOB’s Best of 2005-06: #7 – Love Song (May 19, 2006)
SOB's Best of 2005-06: #8 - Billy Elliot The Musical (May 18, 2006)
SOB's Best of 2005-06: #9 - The Well-Appointed Room (May 17, 2006)
SOB's Best of 2005-06: #10 - Sweeney Todd (May 15, 2006)
SOB's Best and Worst of 2005-06 Theatre Season (May 12, 2006)
Flashback: Best of 2004-05 (May 26, 2006)
Flashback: Best of 2003-04 (May 25, 2006)
Flashback: Best of 2002-03 (May 25, 2006)
Flashback: Best of 2001-02 (May 24, 2006)
Flashback: Best of 2000-01 (May 23, 2006)

Labels: Dreamgirls, Gypsy, Jennifer Holliday, Musical, Nine, Patti LuPone, Revival, SOB's Best of 2007-08, South Pacific, Sunday In The Park With George

posted by Steve On Broadway (SOB) @ Wednesday, May 28, 2008 8 comments

Talk To The Hands: Jennifers Edition

Talk To The Hands: Jennifers Edition

Click here to see the absolutely spine-tingling duet of Jennifer Hudson and Jennifer Holliday singing "And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going" from Tuesday evening's BET Awards 2007 ceremony. Talk about a dream-team Dreamgirls pairing!

Today, I'm exactly one month out from taking in the Tony-winning Best Actress in a Musical from 1982 as she reprises her role as Effie Melody White for one last time at Atlanta's Fabulous Fox Theatre.

And I'm telling you I'm going! And I can't wait.

This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).

Click here for tickets.
Related Stories:
Talk To The Hand: Kevin Edition (June 20, 2007)
Talk To The Hand: Tony Edition (June 19, 2007)
The Hits From Coast To Coast (March 8, 2007)
Holliday: You're Gonna Love Me...Again! (February 20, 2007)
Dreamgirls Revival Heading Toward Broadway? (January 26, 2007)
Living The Dreams (January 6, 2007)
Flashback: Best of 2002-03 (May 25, 2006)

Labels: Atlanta, Dreamgirls, Jennifer Holliday, Jennifer Hudson, Musical, Revival, Talk To The Hand

posted by Steve On Broadway (SOB) @ Thursday, June 28, 2007 1 comments

SOB's Best Of 2007-08: Top Ten Of The Year

SOB’s Best Of 2007-08: Top Ten Of The Year

Over the past week and a half, I've offered up my "Best Of" lists for each of the five major stage categories observed by the Tony Awards, including Best Special Theatrical Events, Best Musical Revivals, Best Play Revivals, Best New Musicals and Best New Plays.

Now, before I launch into which Broadway shows would get my Tony vote if I could actually vote and my own prognostications on who will win, here’s how the best of the best rank in my personal countdown of the “10 Best” theatrical productions I saw over the course of this exciting 2007-08 Theatrical Season:

10 - From Up Here

Venue: Off-Broadway's New York City Center, Manhattan Theatre Club, New York, NY

Top 10 Worthiness: Liz Flahive's poignant, yet darkly funny From Up Here provided a heaping healthy dose of what troubled teens need more than anything else: hope.

Exceptional Standout Performances: Tobias Segal and Julie White.

Status: Closes June 8. Go see it. Now!

SOB Review Rating: ***1/2 (out of ****)


9 - The Seafarer

Venue: Broadway's Booth Theatre, New York, NY

Top 10 Worthiness: Conor McPherson's chilling, mesmerizing and often funny The Seafarer was one helluva good morality play that came up all aces.

Exceptional Standout Performances: Jim Norton and Conleth Hill.

Status: Closed, but look for regional theatre companies, including Chicago's Steppenwolf, to mount productions over the next year.

SOB Review Rating: ***1/2 (out of ****)


8 - South Pacific

Venue: Broadway's Vivian Beaumont Theatre, Lincoln Center, New York, NY

Top 10 Worthiness: From the moment Ted Sperling cues his 30-piece orchestra, commencing the initial swells from the overture for one of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II's most beloved musical scores, it's clear that this Bartlett Sher-helmed South Pacific is going to be a truly majestic revival.

Exceptional Standout Performances: Paulo Szot and Kelli O'Hara

Status: Originally slated for limited run through June, but has since become an open-ended run. National tour is in the works.

SOB Review Rating: ***1/2 (out of ****)


7 - Dreamgirls

Venue: Fox Theatre, Atlanta, GA

Top 10 Worthiness: Two words ... Jennifer Holliday reprising her quintessential Effie Melody White in Atlanta's glorious revival of Dreamgirls, which offered up some truly magical and electrifying performances from start to finish.

Exceptional Standout Performances: Jennifer Holliday and David Jennings.

Status: Closed.

SOB Review Rating: **** (out of ****)


6 - Cymbeline

Venue: Broadway's Vivian Beaumont Theatre, Lincoln Center, New York, NY

Top 10 Worthiness: Lincoln Center's starry revival of William Shakespeare's celestial Cymbeline sent an unexpected, yet definable chill of delight shooting down my spine, thanks to Mark Lamos' brilliant, sparkling vision.

Exceptional Standout Performances: Martha Plimpton, John Cullum and Paul O'Brien.

Status: Closed.

SOB Review Rating: **** (out of ****)


5 - A Catered Affair

Venue: Broadway's Walter Kerr Theatre, New York, NY

Top 10 Worthiness: Like a rare vintage wine that deserves to be sipped and savored, the seriously sublime A Catered Affair opens up across the tastebuds into a glorious bouquet making this beautifully-acted, earnest chamber musical, rich with integrity, very intoxicating.

Exceptional Standout Performances: Faith Prince, Leslie Kritzer and Tom Wopat

Status: Open-ended run.

SOB Review Rating: **** (out of ****)


4 - The Beatles Love

Venue: Love Theatre, Mirage, Las Vegas, NV

Top 10 Worthiness: I blew my mind out with the excellent The Beatles Love, which roundly serves as the ultimate showcase for the catalogue of The Beatles via the best Cirque du Soleil production I have yet to witness.

Exceptional Standout Performances: The entire troupe from Cirque du Soleil and those Four Lads from Liverpool.

Status: Open-ended run.

SOB Review Rating: **** (out of ****)


3 - Passing Strange

Venue: Broadway's Belasco Theatre, New York, NY

Top 10 Worthiness: Passing Strange was not only the year's most cosmic, most unusual and most unexpected new musical, it was also real, full of heart and simply the best new tuner to hit Broadway all year.

Exceptional Standout Performances: Stew and Daniel Breaker.

Status: Open-ended run.

SOB Review Rating: **** (out of ****)


2 - Gypsy

Venue: Broadway's St. James Theatre, New York, NY

Suddenly, highfalutin words like "excellent," "superb" and "top-notch" just don't seem sufficient enough to adequately describe the unique, exhilarating experience of seeing Arthur Laurents' incredible and thoroughly entertaining revival of Gypsy, which is most definitely a performance for the ages. This is the best musical, period, of the year.

Exceptional Standout Performances: Patti LuPone, Laura Benanti and Boyd Gaines.

Status: Open-ended run.

SOB Review Rating: **** (out of ****)

1 - August: Osage County

Venues: Downstairs Theatre, Steppenwolf, Chicago, IL;
Broadway's Imperial Theatre, New York, NY;
Broadway's Music Box Theatre, New York, NY (present)

Tracy Letts' Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece August: Osage County rates as the best-written, best-acted play I've ever seen at Chicago's Steppenwolf and among the top five plays I've ever seen performed anywhere, anytime. Anna D. Shapiro's direction has made this a razor-sharp, whip-smart American classic. Without a doubt, this is the best show of the year, and it will win the Tony for Best Play.

Exceptional Standout Performances: Deanna Dunagan, Amy Morton, Rondi Reed and Francis Guinan.

Status: Open-ended run, now playing the Music Box Theatre on Broadway.

SOB Review Rating: **** (out of ****)


What shows would be on your top ten list? Do you think I've completely missed the boat, or would your choices largely mirror mine? I invite you to join the discussion and post your comments here.

This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).

Related Stories:
SOB's Best Of 2007-08: Best New Plays (May 30, 2008)
SOB's Best Of 2007-08: Best New Musicals (May 29, 2008)
SOB's Best Of 2007-08: Best Revivals Of Musicals (May 28, 2008)
SOB's Best Of 2007-08: Best Revivals Of Plays (May 27, 2008)
SOB's Best Of 2007-08: Best Special Theatrical Events (May 24, 2008)
The SOB Five "Worst" Of 2007-08 (May 23, 2008)
SOB's Best & Worst Of 2007-08 Theatre Season (May 22, 2008)
SOB's Best Of 2006-07: Top Ten Of The Year (June 4, 2007)
SOB's Best Of 2006-07: Best New Musicals (May 22, 2007)
SOB's Best Of 2006-07: Best New Plays (May 21, 2007)
SOB's Best Of 2006-07: Best Revivals Of Musicals (May 18, 2007)
SOB's Best Of 2006-07: Best Revivals Of Plays (May 16, 2007)
The SOB Five "Worst" Of 2006-07 (May 14, 2007)
SOB's Best & Worst Of 2006-07 Theatre Season (May 14, 2007)
SOB's Best of 2005-06: #1 - Theater Of The New Ear (May 30, 2006)
SOB’s Best of 2005-06: #2 – Guys And Dolls (May 26, 2006)
SOB’s Best of 2005-06: #3 – Hedda Gabler (May 25, 2006)
SOB’s Best of 2005-06: #4 – A Blameless Life (May 24, 2006)
SOB’s Best of 2005-06: #5 – Reeling (May 23, 2006)
SOB’s Best of 2005-06: #6 – “MASTER HAROLD”…And The Boys (May 21, 2006)
SOB’s Best of 2005-06: #7 – Love Song (May 19, 2006)
SOB's Best of 2005-06: #8 - Billy Elliot The Musical (May 18, 2006)
SOB's Best of 2005-06: #9 - The Well-Appointed Room (May 17, 2006)
SOB's Best of 2005-06: #10 - Sweeney Todd (May 15, 2006)
SOB's Best and Worst of 2005-06 Theatre Season (May 12, 2006)
Flashback: Best of 2004-05 (May 26, 2006)
Flashback: Best of 2003-04 (May 25, 2006)
Flashback: Best of 2002-03 (May 25, 2006)
Flashback: Best of 2001-02 (May 24, 2006)
Flashback: Best of 2000-01 (May 23, 2006)

Labels: A Catered Affair, August Osage County, Broadway, Cymbeline, Dreamgirls, From Up Here, Gypsy, Passing Strange, SOB's Best of 2007-08, South Pacific, The Beatles Love, The Seafarer

posted by Steve On Broadway (SOB) @ Monday, June 02, 2008 15 comments

One Night Only: Jennifer Holliday At Ars Nova

One Night Only: Jennifer Holliday At Ars Nova

With so much incredible buzz already steamrolling the country for what is arguably the year's biggest and mostly eagerly anticipated film -- "Dreamgirls" -- it's only fitting that one of the original Broadway cast members is making headlines of her own. Tony Award winner Jennifer Holliday is slated to perform this evening in the premiere of On, Girl at New York's Ars Nova as part of Uncharted: Lewis Flinn And Steven Sater.

Billed as "Dreamgirls meets Def Poetry Jam," tonight's performance is a "song cycle" from Steven Sater, who wrote the book and lyrics for Spring Awakening, and Lewis Flinn, who wrote original music and served as sound designer for The Little Dog Laughed. On, Girl will follow Holliday, along with Shayna Steele and Sharon Wilkins on a "journey of love, loss and getting on with it."

Oh that I could be there, but unfortunately, I'm telling you that I'm not going due to other prior commitments. But I can also tell you that there are few artists who have the power to move me via live performances the way Jennifer Holliday does. I'll just have to pin my hopes on a reprise performance at a later date.

This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).

Click here for tickets.

Labels: Jennifer Holliday, Musical, Off-Broadway, Uncharted: Lewis Flinn And Steven Sater

posted by Steve On Broadway (SOB) @ Tuesday, December 05, 2006 0 comments

The Hits From Coast To Coast

Labels: Betrayal, Broadway, Curtains, Daniel Radcliffe, Dreamgirls, Equus, Jennifer Holliday, Jennifer Hudson, Legally Blonde, Priscilla Queen Of The Desert, The Glass Menagerie, The Pirate Queen, Xanadu

posted by Steve On Broadway (SOB) @ Thursday, March 08, 2007 1 comments