#lorrell robinson

[adamwatchesmovies]

Dreamgirls (2006)

Dreamgirls is not based on a true story but you’ll swear otherwise. While the film takes much inspiration from the history of the Motown record label and incorporates actual historical events into its story, the reason it feels so real are the characters and the drama. The ensemble cast all give such good performances and the material they’ve been given is so deep they all feel like real people. That’s enough to recommend Dreamgirls already but there's so much more: great musical numbers, a stellar production design, confident direction by Bill Condon (who also wrote the screenplay) and tons of re-watch value.

In 1962, in Detroit, Michigan, Effie White (Jennifer Hudson), Deena Jones (Beyoncé Knowles) and Lorrell Robinson (Anika Noni Rose) are “The Dreamettes”. After appearing at an amateur R&B talent show, The Dreamettes and Effie’s younger songwriter brother C.C. (Keith Robinson) are recruited by car salesman - and aspiring music manager - Curtis Taylor Jr. (Jamie Foxx) to sing as a backup for star Jimmy “Thunder” Early (Eddie Murphy). The story follows the Dreamettes’ rise to fame as their new manager becomes increasingly manipulative.

The ’60s and ‘70s era music scene is unfamiliar to me and not exactly the kind of music I gravitate towards (for the record, my taste in music falls under the “crap” category). It means a lot, then, that I was instantly able to “recognize” the songs featured in this musical. All of the numbers are from the Broadway musical or newly written for the movie and incorporated in a mix of diegetic and non-diegetic fashion. Every piece is a river of honey in your ear and surprisingly, Beyoncé Knowles ends up kind of playing second banana to both Jennifer Hudson… and Eddie Murphy. I don’t know if it’s hilarious or heartbreaking that my DVD of Dreamgirls featured a trailer for Norbit before the main event. As Jimmy, Murphy is incredible. There’s a particular scene where, tired of being asked to perform another soulful number, he breaks into an impromptu rap where he has to get his orchestra to play a new beat on the fly. It’s pure movie magic and the entire film is worth the price of admission just to see Murphy in full form in that one scene.

There’s a pervasive and consistent joy of filmmaking throughout Dreamgirls. Every frame looks terrific and the actors all give excellent performances. We’ve already mentioned some of them but now, I want to single out Jamie Foxx as Curtis Taylor Junior. His transition from sympathetic to villainous is so smooth it’s hard to tell at which point exactly your opinion shifts and part of this is because all of the characters - including the Dreamgirls - are fully-rounded human beings complete with flaws. Without a doubt, Effie White gets the short end of the stick in this story but there are times where she kind of gets what she deserves. You hate yourself for feeling that way, which demonstrates the quality of the drama. Obviously, credit is due to Henry Krieger and Tom Eyen, who wrote the original musical, but this film adaptation is not merely a shot-for-shot re-enactment. This is a real movie with distinct made-for-the-movie scenes and choices.

With a budget of $75-$80 million, Dreamgirls is one of the most expensive films ever made to feature an all-Black cast. That realization came with a bit of waryness from me. Ever since my back-to-back viewing of Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and One Night in Miami, I’m just kind of done with “struggle” movies. We’ve had some great ones but there’s more we can do with All-Black casts than show them getting beaten down, abused, raped, taken advantage of, etc. This is another reason to see Dreamgirls. While the topic of inequality is touched on in two key scenes, this is mostly an engaging drama that could (in theory) feature any kind of actors. This musical has the same sort of appeal as A Star is Born because of the characters, the music and the skill used to bring everything together.

Despite everything Dreamgirls does right, it will still be a hard sell for people who don’t like musicals. It's also worth noting that while the protagonists are rich, other characters don’t get the development they should. Sharon Leal’s Michelle Morris, for instance. She's an important character that's always kept out of reach. Ultimately, the flaws (you could probably find more if you really looked hard) don’t matter when we consider the film’s entertainment and eye-candy value. This is such a good-looking film and when we consider the way it recreates historical (or “historical”) events and elements, it was love at first sight for me. (Fullscreen version on DVD, August 1, 2022)

[lboogie1906]

Anika Noni Rose (September 6, 1972) is an actress and singer. She is known for voicing Tiana, Disney’s first African-American movie protagonist, as seen in The Princess and the Frog. She was named a Disney Legend in 2011.

She is known for her starring role as Lorrell Robinson in the Academy Award-winning film Dreamgirls and for playing LaVerne “Jukebox” Ganner in the hit series Power. She is known for her performances in theatre, particularly for her starring roles as Emmie Thibodeaux in the Broadway production of Caroline, or Change, for which she won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical, and Beneatha Younger in the Broadway revival of A Raisin in the Sun, for which she was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play.

She earned a BA in Theatre from FAMU and studied drama at the American Conservatory Theater.

She moved to New York without a job. After three months, she played the role of Rusty in Broadway’s Footloose. She followed Footloose with numerous workshops and two musicals using pre-existing song catalogs, Eli’s Comin’ Off-Broadway and Me and Mrs. Jones with Lou Rawls. She was awarded the Theatre World Award and the Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Featured Actress.

After her film debut, King of the Bingo Game, and performed in Temptation, followed by Surviving Christmas. She appeared in the films Just Add Water, For Color Girls, and Razor.

She starred in The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency.

She was born in Bloomfield, Connecticut, to Claudia and John Rose, a corporate counsel. She began her acting career at Bloomfield High School, appearing in a school production during her freshman year. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence

[ulkaralakbarova]

A trio of female soul singers cross over to the pop charts in the early 1960s, facing their own personal struggles along the way. Credits: TheMovieDb. Film Cast: Curtis Taylor Jr.: Jamie Foxx Deena Jones: Beyoncé James “Thunder” Early: Eddie Murphy Marty Madison: Danny Glover Effie White: Jennifer Hudson Lorrell Robinson: Anika Noni Rose C.C. White: Keith D. Robinson Michelle Morris: Sharon Leal Wayne: Hinton Battle Magic: Mariah Iman Wilson May: Yvette Cason Max Washington: Ken Page M.C.: Ralph Louis Harris Tiny Joe Dixon: Michael-Leon Wooley Jazz Singer: Loretta Devine Jerry Harris: John Lithgow Sam Walsh: John Krasinski Ronald White: Alexander Folk Aunt Ethel: Esther Scott Miami Comic: Bobby Slayton Teddy Campbell: Jordan Wright Melba Early: Dawnn Lewis Talent Booker: Jaleel White Joann: JoNell Kennedy Charlene: Sybyl Walker Stepp Sister: Lesley Nicole Lewis Stepp Sister: Eboni Nichols Stepp Sister: Arike Rice Stepp Sister: Fatima Robinson Little Albert: Aakomon Jones Tru-Tone: Bernard Fowler Tru-Tone: Anwar Burton Tru-Tone: Tyrell Washington Dave: Rory O’Malley Sweetheart: Laura Bell Bundy Sweetheart: Anne Elizabeth Warren David Bennett: Ivar Brogger Jimmy’s Piano Player: Daren A. Herbert Elvis Kelly: Jocko Sims Rhonda: Pam Trotter Janice: Cleo King Club Manager: Eddie Mekka Case Worker: Alejandro Furth TV Reporter: Dilva Henry American Bandstand Producer: Vince Grant Nicky Cassaro: Robert Cicchini TV Director: Thomas Crawford Carl: Charles Jones Technical Director: Robert Curtis Brown Tania Williams: Stephanie Owens Man with Gun: Gilbert Glenn Brown Stagehand: Marty Ryan Detroit Reporter: Michael Villani Chicago Deejay: Gregg Berger L.A. Deejay: Daniel Riordan Photographer: David James Promo Film Narrator (voice): Paul Kirby Security Guard: Derick Alexander Curtis’ Secretary: Yvette Nicole Brown Go-Go Dancer: Nancy Anderson Go-Go Dancer: Joelle Cosentino Go-Go Dancer: Lisa Eaton Go-Go Dancer: Clare Kutsko Go-Go Dancer: Tracy Phillips Go-Go Dancer: Kelleia Sheerin Campbell Connection Dancer: Mykel Brooks Campbell Connection Dancer: Johnny Erasme Campbell Connection Dancer: Cory Graves Campbell Connection Dancer: J.R. Taylor Bad Side Dancer: Corinthea Henderson Bad Side Dancer: Craig Hollamon Bad Side Dancer: Reginald Jackson Bad Side Dancer: Chuck Maldonado Bad Side Dancer: Anthony Rue II Bad Side Dancer: John Silver Bad Side Dancer: Larry Sims Bad Side Dancer: Black Thomas Bad Side Dancer: Kevin Wilson Bad Side Dancer: Adrian Wiltshire Bad Side Dancer: Earl Wright Bad Side Dancer: Russell “Goofy” Wright Disco Dancer: Dominic Chaiduang Disco Dancer: Jose Cueva Disco Dancer: Omhmar Griffin Disco Dancer: Sky Hoffmann Disco Dancer: Trevor Lopez-Daggett Disco Dancer: Leo Moctezuma Disco Dancer: Gabriel Paige Disco Dancer: Terrance Spencer Disco Dancer: Tony Testa Disco Dancer: Quinton Weathers Disco Dancer: Jull Weber Disco Dancer: Marcel Wilson Jimmy’s Band: Stevie Ray Anthony Jimmy’s Band: Matthew Dickens Jimmy’s Band: Jerohn Garnett Jimmy’s Band: Mario Mosley Jimmy’s Band: Jimmy R.O. Smith Film Crew: Casting: Debra Zane Set Decoration: Nancy Haigh Executive Producer: Patricia Whitcher Producer: David Geffen Foley Artist: Catherine Harper Foley Artist: Christopher Moriana Producer: Laurence Mark Director: Bill Condon Musical: Tom Eyen Director of Photography: Tobias A. Schliessler Editor: Virginia Katz Original Music Composer: Henry Krieger Production Design: John Myhre Costume Design: Sharen Davis Digital Intermediate: Stefan Sonnenfeld Dialogue Editor: Kimberly Lowe Voigt Sound Effects Editor: George Simpson Stunts: Dick Ziker Makeup Artist: Judy Murdock Stunts: John Cenatiempo Second Unit Director of Photography: Dino Parks Assistant Costume Designer: Lizz Wolf First Assistant Editor: Ian Slater Casting Associate: Jeremy Rich Casting Associate: Tannis Vallely Music Arranger: Harvey Mason Gaffer: Newton TerMeer Assistant Art Director: Jann K. Engel Costume Supervisor: Elaine Ramires Sound Effects Editor: Donald Flick Script Supervisor: Carolyn Tolley Choreographer: Aakomon Jones Camer...

[fuckyeahcostumedramas]

Jennifer Hudson, Beyoncé Knowles, & Anika Noni Rose as Effie White, Deena Jones, &  Lorrell Robinson in “Dreamgirls” (Film, 2006). 

[musical-dreamcasts]

Moulin Rouge! - Carly Mercedes Dyer (she/her) as Satine, requested by anon

Birthday: January 10, 1987 (age 35)

Birth Place: Middlesex, England

Theatre credits include: Erma (Anything Goes), Fate (Hadestown), Jane Seymour (Six), Anita (West Side Story), Ensemble/First Cover Lorrell/Michelle (Dreamgirls), Ensemble/Cover Jeanie (Hair), Ensemble (Chicago)

(Pictured on the right is Ashley Loren, who is currently playing the role in the Broadway production)

Credits: Mike Marsland, JP Yim

[therhythmismyblanket]

“Lorrell loves Jimmy, Lorrell loves Jimmy it’s true, but Lorell and Jimmy are through”

and

“‘cause this time Effie White’s gonna win”

are a masterclass in delivery. I would literally pay to have them added to the soundtrack

clips: Lorrell Effie

[sweet-christabel]

One Dress a Day

Honourable Mentions

The Adventures of Robin Hood - Lady Marian (Olivia de Havilland) The Tudors - Anne Boleyn (Natalie Dormer) Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries - Phryne Fisher (Essie Davis) Dreamgirls - Michelle Morris (Sharon Leal), Deena Jones (Beyoncé Knowles), Lorrell Robinson (Anika Noni Rose)

[poc-dreamcast]

Aisha Jackson as Lorrell Robinson

[blackinperiodfilms]

    Anika Noni Rose as Lorrell Robinson in Dreamgirls (2006)

[thediaryofatheatrekid]

Casting Goals: Lorrell Robinson in Dreamgirls

Danielle Steers

Krystal Joy Brown

Nikisha Williams

Zurin Villanueva

[icethelonelymelody]

[lboogie1906]

Loretta Devine (August 21, 1949) is an actress and singer. She is known for numerous roles across stage, television, and film. Her most high-profile roles include Lorrell Robinson in the original Broadway production of Dreamgirls, Gloria Matthews in Waiting to Exhale, and Adele Webber on Grey’s Anatomy, for which she won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series.

She was born in Houston. She grew up in the Acres Homes. She graduated from the University of Houston with a BA in Speech and Drama. She received an MFA in Theater from Brandeis University.

She was initiated into the Epsilon Lambda Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha.

She has worked on Broadway. Her Broadway debut was in 1978 in a musical called A Broadway Musical. She received raves in the 1995 Apollo revival of The Wiz as Glinda the Good Witch of the South.

She received raves in the Apollo revival of The Wiz as Glinda the Good Witch of the South.

She co-starred in Preacher’s Wife, Down in the Delta, and Funny Valentines.

She played roles as a repertory character in the play The Colored Museum. She appeared in A Different World as Stevie Rallen.

She starred as high school teacher Marla Hendricks on Boston Public. She won three more Image Awards for her work in the series. She continued to work in film, playing prominent roles in Urban Legend, Urban Legends: Final Cut, and I Am Sam. She earned an Image Award nomination and an Independent Spirit Award nomination for her work in Woman Thou Art Loosed. She appeared in Crash. She appeared in This Christmas and had a regular role on Eli Stone. She was part of the ensemble casts of For Colored Girls and Madea’s Big Happy Family. She was featured in a remake of “Feeling Good.” She appeared in First Sunday, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, and Jumping the Broom.

She starred in the State of Georgia. She was part of the Being Mary Jane cast. She voiced the character Hallie, on Doc McStuffins. She began starring in The Client List, playing the role of Georgia Cummings. She played Cynthia Carmichael on The Carmichael Show and Earnestine on P-Valley. She stars in Family Reunion. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence #alphakappaalpha

[azvedox]

Loretta Devine as ”Lorrell Robinson” in Dreamgirls    

[thehollywoodfameshow]

Dreamgirls

Effie White: Beyonce Knowles

Curtis Taylor JR: Daveed Diggs

Deena Jones: Normani Kordei

Lorrell Robinson: Chloe Bailey

Clarence Conrad (C.C.) White: Jordan Fisher

Jimmy Early: Anthony Mackie

[musical-dreamcasts]

Hamilton - Carly Mercedes Dyer (she/her) as Angelica Schuyler, requested by anon

Birthday: January 10, 1987 (age 34)

Birth Place: Middlesex, England

Theatre credits include: Erma (Anything Goes), Fate (Hadestown), Jane Seymour (Six), Anita (West Side Story), Ensemble/First Cover Lorrell/Michelle (Dreamgirls), Ensemble/Cover Jeanie (Hair), Ensemble (Chicago)

(Pictured on the right is Rachel John, who played the role in the original West End production)

[myersbriqqs]

Dreamgirls MBTI

Deena Jones [ISFJ]

Effie White [ESTJ]

Curtis Taylor, Jr. [INTJ]

James Early [ESTP]

Lorrell Robinson [ISFP]

C. C. White [INFP]