By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices
Bill Condon's two-time Academy Award netting big screen adaptation of the legendary Broadway musical 'Dreamgirls' will take center stage at home when it's released on May 1 via Paramount Home Entertainment.
Available in a special "Showstopper Edition," the two-disc DVD, Blu-ray and HD DVD presentations will feature a wealth of bonus material with 12 extended and alternate scenes including a DVD-exclusive, never-before-seen performance by Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson of 'Effie Sing My Song.'
Additionally, a feature-length documentary entitled 'Building the Dream' presented in nine chapters, behind-the-scenes featurettes on the costume design, editing and lighting of the film, cast member auditions and screen tests, previsualization sequences and more will also be included.
A single disc DVD version will also be available, featuring 12 extended and alternate scenes including the Jennifer Hudson performance and a music video directed by Condon for the chart-topping soundtrack single 'Listen.'
Screen tests and audtions and an image gallery including more than 1,000 photos will be featured in the 'Showstopper' version of 'Dreamgirls.
Multiple Grammy Award winning superstar Beyoncé Knowles (Deena), Academy Award winner Jamie Foxx (Curtis), Golden Globe winner Eddie Murphy (James "Thunder" Early), Tony Award winner Anika Noni Rose and Hollywood's newest discovery Hudson all make a go at it in the ambitious and majorly marketed movie version of 'Dreamgirls.'
Released nationally on Christmas Day 2006, the Condon-helmed movie also features screen legend Danny Glover, Tony Award winner Hinton Battle, 'Boston Public' actress Sharon Leal, and newcomer Keith Robinson. Choreography was done up by acclaimed hip-hop hoofer Fatima Robinson, and cameos include Dawnn Lewis, John Lithgow, Jaleel White and original 'Dreamgirls' star Loretta Devine.
The original production of the Michael Bennet-helmed hit musical opened at Broadway's Imperial Theatre in 1981 and featured Sheryl Lee Ralph, Devine, Jennifer Holliday, Vondie Curtis Hall, Ben Harney, Cleavant Derricks, and Obba Babatunde,among others.
Comments: (18)
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By: chas on 3/07/2007 4:35PM
well there goes my last excuse (for not seeing it)
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By: gina on 3/09/2007 10:35PM
I jUST WANTED TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS TO MS.JENNIFER HUDSON.You did your thing girl.I know you said you never considered yourself an actress but you did a wonderful job but your VOICE IS PHENOMENAL.God Bless you and may your experience in the lime light take you to new heights in which you never imagined. Trust me when I say if you never sing another song in life you still have a fan for life........Your voice literally takes my breath away.To Ms.Beyonce', u did your thing too.I am not taking anything away from you .We all know that you made a name for yourself in the music industry already.I just wanted to acknowledge Jennifer because I want to see her do as well as you have done for yourself. GOD BLESS U BOTH.
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By: Quitee on 3/08/2007 9:56PM
May 1st!!!! All the other movies that were nominated for an Oscar are already on DVD, I can't wait that long!!!
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By: Njoya on 3/10/2007 8:35AM
I saw it last night in the theater and I was stunned! Jennifer Hudson blew me away! Her acting and her singing! I cried and clapped! I was speechless by the end of the movie. Beyonce's acting is getting much better. Anina was great too. EDDIE MURPHY WAS ROBBED OF HIS OSCAR! I WAS ASTOUNDED AT HIS DRAMATIC PORTRAYAL OF "THUNDER"! HE CAN SING, ACT, AND OH MY!..., HE CAN DANCE! THIS MOVIE WAS ROBBED OF THE MOVIE OF THE YEAR OSCAR! IT WAS ASTOUNDING!!!!! I'M GOING TO SEE IT AGAIN ON THE BIG SCREEN AND I'LL BE FIRST IN LINE TO GET THE DVD!
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By: MARILYN TUCKER on 3/10/2007 9:30AM
I AM SO GLAD THAT THIS MOVIE WILL NOW BE ON DVD IT'S TIME GOOD MOVIE FOR ALL TO SEE.
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By: Sylvia on 3/10/2007 9:27AM
Oooh yes. I knew it would be just in time for Mother's Day. Ok all you kids, you know what to get Mommy and Big Momma or no easter candy for you.
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By: Glenn on 3/10/2007 1:01PM
Will be glad when it hits DVD. Movie reminded me of the great musicals of the past. Now if we could only get the Gershwin estate to release Porgy and Bess with Sammy Davis, Dorothy Dandrige, Brock Peters, Ethel Waters, Cab Calloway, and Sidney Portier, a whole new generation could see what is being denied us: our legendary stars all in one movie doing their thang to death. It is usually released on TV once every 15 or 20 years or whatever . . . what nonsense.
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By: Mango on 3/10/2007 1:12PM
This movie for sure will be in my collection..i might just buy 2 because i know i am going to wear one out. jennifer hudson blew me away ...but i have to give credit to beyonce because she placed her foot in that song "listen" i never heard beyonce get so into a song like that. i literially play that song every day because in many ways it does relate to my life. again i give this movie a 2 thumbs up and for those who still haven't seen the movie. you miss out on it because it is better to see it on big screen with others then just to watch it at home. we do need more movies like this. NEXT UP! The Wiz.
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By: doris on 3/10/2007 2:08PM
jennifer hudson has opened up the door for the black
race in america. Hallelujah,music with meaningful
lyrics has finally come back in our lives.We need
more movies like Dreamgirls, hooray for hollywood!
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By: Jason Clark on 3/10/2007 2:44PM
I can wait that long for 12 extended musical scenes including the video for the song that's not in the movie "Effie Sing My Song", I can wait. For two discs of the movie, to go with two discs of the soundtrack, I can wait. For JHud, I can wait. That would be a nice gift to go along with her album later that year. That would be a good gift to go with the second seasn of Martin that's coming out the same month on the 22nd. May is the month for Black Entertainment. I think a second season of Girlfriend's is coming out around that time too. Let's get it poppin'
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