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Dreamgirls
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December 31, 2006

Dreamgirls Sings at the Box Office
Earns $20.35 Million for Holiday Week-End
Cume Stands at $43.31 Million for First 8 Days in Wide Release
Bill Condon's sensational musical strikes a cord with enthusiastic audiences
Film release will expand January 12

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Dreamgirls' first week in wide release was a huge success, the film expanded from 3 to 852 theatres on Christmas Day. After earning a whopping $8.7 million on Christmas Day, the film has gone on to rack up $43.31 million in its first 8 days of wide release. The film took in an estimated $15.5 million for the three day week-end with a per screen average of $18,200 and the studio is projecting $20.35 million for the four day week-end.

Dreamgirls' $8.7 million Christmas Day bow generated the best single day ever for a musical. This Paramount Pictures and Dreamworks Pictures co-production, directed by Bill Condon and starring Jamie Foxx, Beyoncé Knowles and Eddie Murphy represents the third-biggest box office total for a film that opened or went national on Christmas Day, bested only by 2001's Ali and 2002's Catch Me if You Can, both of which opened in more than 2,000 theatres, compared to Dreamgirls' more limited release in 852 theatres.

This holiday-season feel-good film has been playing to very enthusiastic crowds. Audiences have been applauding and cheering after musical numbers and even giving the film standing ovations while it plays. In exit surveys, moviegoers across the country have given the film a 95% favorable rating. "That's the highest I've ever seen," said Rob Moore, Paramount Pictures president and worldwide marketing and distribution adding, "not only have audiences responded to surveys with spectacular scores, we've seen them respond to the movie in a remarkable way with ovations during the performance of the film."

That sentiment was echoed by distribution executives from major national chains. Muvico theater chain's corporate communications VP John J. Spano said, "The audience reaction to Dreamgirls at our Egyptian 24 location in Hanover, Maryland and Paradise 24 in Davie, Florida have been remarkable. Our theater management reports they rarely receive as many positive comments about a film as they have with this one and they are seeing many guests come back again and again to see this film! They tell us that at the conclusion of the musical numbers our guests have been applauding, cheering and on several occasions we have seen standing ovations. From our guest reactions to Dreamgirls it is apparent that the musical genre of film is alive and well and has a place at the top of the box office."

And Greg Dunn, President and COO of the Regal Entertainment Group said, "Regal Entertainment Group has seen an enthusiastic response to Dreamgirls all over the country. In downtown Philadelphia, crowds on Christmas Day were giving the movie a standing ovation. In Long Beach, California some audiences applauded after every musical number. And in St. Louis people leaving Dreamgirls were so excited that they stopped strangers, encouraging them to see the film. The combination of storytelling and musical excellence is certainly hitting a chord with Regal audiences."

The popular groundswell for the movie combined with a slew of awards nominations and critics' association kudos, including five Golden Globe nominations and seven Broadcast Film Critics Association nominations should bode well for the box office performance when Dreamgirls expands its release to approximately 1800 theatres on Friday, January 12.

(source: Paramount Pictures)

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November 6, 2006

Dreamgirls - Music from the Motion Picture to Be Released by Music World Music/Sony Urban Music/Columbia/Sony Music Soundtrax on Tuesday, December 5
Smash Soundtrack Album From Highly Anticipated DreamWorks/Paramount Film,
Dreamgirls, Features an Incredible Line-Up Including Beyoncé, Jamie Foxx, Eddie Murphy, Anika Noni Rose and Newcomer Jennifer Hudson

HOUSTON, Nov. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Music World Entertainment announced today that Music World Music/Sony Urban Music/Columbia/Sony Music Soundtrax will release Dreamgirls -- Music from the Motion Picture, the official soundtrack album for the avidly awaited DreamWorks/Paramount film, Dreamgirls, on Tuesday, December 5, 2006.

The film, Dreamgirls, opens nationwide on Monday, December 25, 2006.

"Music World Music is thrilled to release the soundtrack for such a popular classic as Dreamgirls," says an enthused Mathew Knowles, President and CEO of Music World Entertainment. "The artist line-up features today's brightest and most coveted award-winning superstars in the entertainment industry and we are confident this album will make record-breaking, chart-topping history!"

Twenty-five years after first bringing Broadway audiences to their feet, the Tony Award-winning musical sensation Dreamgirls comes to the big screen starring Academy Award(R) winner Jamie Foxx, Beyoncé Knowles, Danny Glover, newcomer Jennifer Hudson, Tony Award winner Anika Noni Rose and Eddie Murphy.

Set in the turbulent early 1960s to mid-70s, Dreamgirls follows the rise of a trio of women -- Effie (Hudson), Deena (Knowles) and Lorrell (Rose) -- who have formed a promising girl group called The Dreamettes. At a talent competition, they are discovered by an ambitious manager named Curtis Taylor, Jr. (Foxx), who offers them the opportunity of a lifetime: to become the back-up singers for headliner James "Thunder" Early (Murphy). Curtis gradually takes control of the girls' look and sound, eventually giving them their own shot in the spotlight as The Dreams. That spotlight, however, begins to narrow in on Deena, finally pushing the less attractive Effie out altogether. Although The Dreams become a crossover phenomenon, they soon realize that the cost of fame and fortune may be higher than they ever imagined.

In addition to numbers first heard in the original Broadway musical, Dreamgirls -- Music from the Motion Picture will premiere four new original songs including the first single "Listen" by Beyoncé (scheduled for release on November 14, 2006) and "Love You I Do" by Jennifer Hudson. The second single slated for release from the soundtrack is "One Night Only" by Beyoncé. Among the original classic tracks from the musical included on the soundtrack are "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" (Jennifer Hudson); "Dreamgirls" (Beyoncé, Jennifer Hudson and Anika Noni Rose); "Steppin' to the Bad Side" (Jamie Foxx); "Fake Your Way to the Top" (Eddie Murphy, Beyoncé, Jennifer Hudson and Anika Noni Rose); "Move (You're Steppin' on My Heart)" (Jennifer Hudson, Beyoncé and Anika Noni Rose); "Family" (Jamie Foxx and Keith Robinson); "I Am Changing" (Jennifer Hudson); "Cadillac Car" (Eddie Murphy); "I Meant You No Harm" (Eddie Murphy); "Heavy" (Jennifer Hudson, Beyoncé and Anika Noni Rose) and "Hard To Say Goodbye My Love" (Beyoncé, Sharon Leal and Anika Noni Rose).

(source: Music World Music; Sony Urban Music; Columbia; Sony Music Soundtrax)

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November 2, 2006

One Week Only! Dreamgirls Set to Debut in Exclusive, Limited Engagement 'Road Show' in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco

HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Nov. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Before Dreamgirls, the highly anticipated motion picture from DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures, makes its nationwide debut, the film will roll out in a "road show" in New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. The three exclusive one-week engagements begin December 15.

"Dreamgirls is a special film, the kind that comes around once in a generation," said Jim Tharp, president of theatrical distribution for Paramount Pictures. "We wanted to bring it to audiences in a special way and we think this 'road show' does the film justice. Bill Condon has delivered a very entertaining movie -- this is a film that is every bit as memorable as the legendary Broadway production that inspired it."

New York's Ziegfeld Theater, Los Angeles's Cinerama Dome, and San Francisco's Metreon will host the special engagements of Dreamgirls. Each theater will hold displays on the making of the movie, including designs from Academy Award(R)-winning production designer John Myhre and Academy Award(R)-nominated costume designer Sharen Davis. In addition, moviegoers will have the opportunity to purchase exclusive merchandise and the film's soundtrack in the lobby. The $25 reserved-seat ticket also includes a limited edition program. Following the limited engagement, the film will open in theaters everywhere on December 25.

Twenty-five years after it first brought Broadway audiences to their feet, the Tony Award-winning musical sensation Dreamgirls comes to the big screen starring Academy Award(R) winner Jamie Foxx, Beyoncé Knowles, and Eddie Murphy, with Danny Glover, newcomer Jennifer Hudson, and Tony Award winner Anika Noni Rose. Set in the turbulent early 1960s to mid-70s, Dreamgirls follows the rise of a trio of women -- Effie (Jennifer Hudson), Deena (Beyoncé Knowles) and Lorrell (Anika Noni Rose) -- who have formed a promising girl group called The Dreamettes. At a talent competition, they are discovered by an ambitious manager named Curtis Taylor, Jr. (Jamie Foxx), who offers them the opportunity of a lifetime: to become the back-up singers for headliner James "Thunder" Early (Eddie Murphy). Curtis gradually takes control of the girls' look and sound, eventually giving them their own shot in the spotlight as The Dreams. That spotlight, however, begins to narrow in on Deena, finally pushing the less attractive Effie out altogether. Though the Dreams become a crossover phenomenon, they soon realize that the cost of fame and fortune may be higher than they ever imagined.

DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures present a Laurence Mark production, a Bill Condon film, Dreamgirls. Written for the screen and directed by Bill Condon, the film is produced by Laurence Mark. Based on the stage musical, book and lyrics by Tom Eyen, music by Henry Krieger. Patricia Whitcher is the executive producer. The film has been rated PG-13 by the MPAA for Language, Some Sexuality and Drug Content.

(source: Paramount Pictures)

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February 23, 2006

Jennifer Hudson Named ShoWest "Female Star of Tomorrow"
Hudson to Make Her Feature Film Debut in DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures'
Dreamgirls

LOS ANGELES — ShoWest has named Jennifer Hudson ShoWest “Female Star of Tomorrow,” it was announced today by Mitch Neuhauser, co-managing director of the event that will be held March 13-16, 2006, in Las Vegas. Hudson will be presented with the ShoWest Female Star of Tomorrow award at ShoWest’s closing night ceremony on Thursday, March 16 at Bally's and Paris Las Vegas.

"We are thrilled to honor the multi-talented Jennifer Hudson as ShoWest’s Female Star of Tomorrow," said Neuhauser. "In her motion picture debut, Hudson is sure to delight audiences with her portrayal of Effie in the upcoming big-screen version of the Tony Award-winning musical Dreamgirls. With her combination of acting and singing talent, Jennifer has the star qualities that promise her a bright future in Hollywood.”

Hudson will make her feature film debut in the DreamWorks Pictures’ and Paramount Pictures’ Dreamgirls. Twenty-five years after first bringing Broadway audiences to their feet, the Tony Award-winning musical sensation opens in theatres nationwide on Dec. 22, 2006. Set in the turbulent early 1960s to mid-70s Dreamgirls follows the rise of a trio of women -- Effie (Jennifer Hudson), Deena (Beyoncé Knowles) and Lorrell (Anika Noni Rose) -- who have formed a girl group called The Dreamettes. At a talent competition, they are discovered by an ambitious manager named Curtis Taylor Jr. (Jamie Foxx) who offers them the opportunity of a lifetime to become the back-up singers for headliner James “Thunder” Early (Eddie Murphy). The girls eventually get their own shot in the spotlight and although they become a crossover phenomenon, they soon realize that the cost of fame and fortune may be higher than they ever imagined.

Dreamgirls is being directed by Bill Condon from a screenplay he adapted from the stage musical’s original book by Tom Eyen. An Academy Award winner for his screenplay for Gods and Monsters, which he also directed, Condon received another Oscar nomination for his screenplay adaptation of Chicago.

Best known for her stand-out performances as a top-12 competitor on the television hit American Idol, Hudson is also currently writing and recording her much-anticipated debut album, which is expected to hit the airwaves in the spring of 2006.

ShoWest is the largest annual convention for the motion picture industry. It is the only international gathering devoted exclusively to the movie business and the single largest international gathering of motion picture professionals and theatre owners in the world. The 2006 edition of ShoWest will be held March 13 –16, 2006 at Bally’s and Paris Las Vegas and is expected to draw more than 5,000 members of the motion picture industry. Each year, ShoWest attracts delegates from more than 50 countries in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia. ShoWest is managed by the VNU Expositions Film Group, a division of VNU Business Media.

(source: Rogers & Cowan)

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January 19, 2006

Dreamgirls

Dreamgirls Begins Its Move from Stage to Screen

GLENDALE, Calif., Jan. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- The "girls" are back and the dream is bigger than ever. Principal photography is underway on DreamWorks Pictures' and Paramount Pictures' big-screen version of the Tony Award-winning musical sensation Dreamgirls. Shooting began on Monday, January 9, at the Palace Theatre in downtown Los Angeles, under the direction of Academy Award winner Bill Condon. Filming on Dreamgirls will also be accomplished at Los Angeles Center Studios, as well as on location in and around Los Angeles.

Dreamgirls brings together an ensemble of award-winning stars from the worlds of film, Broadway, television, and the recording industry, including Academy Award winner Jamie Foxx (Ray), recording superstar and actress Beyonce Knowles (Austin Powers in Goldmember) and box office favorite Eddie Murphy (The Nutty Professor, Dr. Dolittle). The film also introduces American Idol finalist Jennifer Hudson, making her feature film debut as Effie. Rounding out the main cast are veteran actor Danny Glover (Lethal Weapon), Tony Award winner Anika Noni Rose (Broadway's Caroline or Change), Keith Robinson (Fat Albert), Sharon Leal (TV's Boston Public), and three-time Tony Award winner Hinton Battle (Miss Saigon, The Tap Dance Kid, The Wiz).

In addition to the first-look photo(s) accompanying this release, the first behind-the-scenes footage will be broadcast via satellite in a special Video News Release (VNR) that will be available on Thursday, January 19, from 5:00-5:15 a.m., EST and again from 1:00-1:15 p.m. EST. The VNR footage also can be viewed in a non-downloadable format at www.dreamworks.com/dreamgirls on the following day.

Set in the turbulent 1960s to mid-70s, Dreamgirls follows the rise of a trio of women--Deena (Beyoncé Knowles), Effie (Jennifer Hudson) and Lorrell (Anika Noni Rose)--who have formed a promising girl group called The Dreamettes. At a talent competition, they are discovered by an ambitious manager named Curtis Taylor, Jr. (Jamie Foxx), who offers them the opportunity of a lifetime: to become the back-up singers for headliner James "Thunder" Early (Eddie Murphy). Curtis gradually takes control of the girls' look and sound, eventually giving them their own shot in the spotlight as The Dreams. That spotlight, however, begins to narrow in on Deena, finally pushing the less attractive Effie out altogether. Though the Dreams become a crossover phenomenon, they soon realize that the cost of fame and fortune may be higher than they ever imagined.

Bill Condon is directing Dreamgirls from a screenplay he adapted from the stage musical's original book by Tom Eyen. An Academy Award winner for his screenplay for Gods and Monsters, which he also directed, Condon earned another Oscar nomination for his screenplay adaptation of Chicago. Academy Award-nominated producer Laurence Mark (Jerry Maguire, As Good As It Gets, I, Robot) is producing Dreamgirls, with Patricia Whitcher (Memoirs of a Geisha, The Terminal) executive producing. The lyrics are by Tom Eyen, with music by Henry Krieger.

Behind the camera, Condon is collaborating with several acclaimed artists to bring the world of Dreamgirls to the big screen. Production designer John Myhre, who won an Academy Award for Chicago and also garnered an Oscar nomination for Elizabeth, comes to Dreamgirls following his highly praised work on Memoirs of a Geisha. Costume designer Sharen Davis, who was honored with an Oscar nomination for her work on the hit biopic Ray, is creating the wide-ranging costumes for Dreamgirls. The creative team also includes director of photography Tobias Schliessler (Friday Night Lights); editor Virginia Katz, who previously worked on the Condon-directed films Kinsey and Gods and Monsters; and casting director Debra Zane (War of the Worlds). The music supervisors are Randy Spendlove (Chicago, The Aviator) and Matt Sullivan (Rent, Chicago), with the songs being arranged and produced by The Underdogs (Harvey Mason, Jr. and Damon Thomas).

In preparation for the cameras rolling, Condon and his cast have been busy for the past two months rehearsing the unforgettable musical numbers that made Dreamgirls one of the most successful stage musicals of all time, together with some new songs that have been written specifically for the big-screen adaptation. Putting the cast through their paces is Fatima Robinson, the choreographer behind some of the hottest music videos, films and live concerts in the industry today.

A co-production of DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures, Dreamgirls will be distributed domestically by DreamWorks, with Paramount handling the international release.

Dreamgirls is slated for release on December 22, 2006.

(source: DreamWorks Pictures)

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November 18, 2005

Jennifer Hudson Lands the Plum Role of Effie in DreamWorks' and Paramount's Dreamgirls

GLENDALE, Calif., Nov. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Former American Idol finalist Jennifer Hudson has been cast in the pivotal role of Effie in DreamWorks Pictures' and Paramount Pictures' upcoming screen version of the Tony Award-winning musical Dreamgirls.

Hudson joins the film's previously announced stars: Oscar winner Jamie Foxx (Ray), Beyoncé Knowles (Austin Powers in Goldmember), Eddie Murphy (The Nutty Professor, Dr. Dolittle), Danny Glover (the Lethal Weapon franchise) and Tony Award winner Anika Noni Rose (Broadway's Caroline or Change).

Set in the turbulent late 1960s and early '70s, Dreamgirls follows the rise of a trio of women -- Effie (Jennifer Hudson), Deena (Beyoncé Knowles) and Lorrell (Anika Noni Rose) -- who have formed a promising girl group called The Dreamettes. At a talent competition, they are discovered by an ambitious manager named Curtis Taylor, Jr. (Jamie Foxx), who offers them the opportunity of a lifetime: to become the back-up singers for headliner James "Thunder" Early (Eddie Murphy). Curtis gradually takes control of the girls' look and sound, eventually giving them their own shot in the spotlight as The Dreams. That spotlight, however, begins to narrow in on Deena, finally pushing the less attractive Effie out altogether. Though the Dreams become a cross-over phenomenon, they soon realize that the cost of fame and fortune may be higher than they ever imagined.

Dreamgirls is being directed by Bill Condon from a screenplay he adapted from the stage musical's original book by Tom Eyen. An Academy Award winner for his screenplay for Gods and Monsters, which he also directed, Condon received another Oscar nomination for his screenplay adaptation of Chicago. He more recently wrote and directed Kinsey.

Academy Award-nominated producer Laurence Mark (Jerry Maguire, As Good As It Gets, I, Robot) is producing Dreamgirls, and Patricia Whitcher (The Terminal, Memoirs of a Geisha) is executive producing. The lyrics are by Tom Eyen, with music by Henry Krieger.

A co-production of DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures, Dreamgirls will be distributed domestically by DreamWorks, with Paramount handling the international release.

For more information on the film version of Dreamgirls, as well as future updates, please visit the official website at: www.dreamworks.com/dreamgirls.

DreamWorks SKG was formed in October 1994 by its three principal partners--Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen. The studio is actively involved in the production of live-action motion pictures and network and cable television programs, and the distribution of live-action and animated feature films, as well as home video entertainment.

(source: DreamWorks Pictures)

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October 25, 2005

Dream Project For The Underdogs

10.25.05: The Underdogs have begun working on the music for the movie Dreamgirls. Though they have worked on multiple soundtracks in the past, this is a major undertaking in that they are creating the music for the entire film. Certainly this will place them at another level.

The film is an adaptation from the Broadway musical where a trio of black female soul singers cross over to the pop charts in the early 1960’s. Dreamgirls is directed by Bill Condon and will star Eddie Murphy, Jamie Foxx, and Beyoncé.

Summary:
Effie White, Deena Jones, and Lorrell Robinson - three friends from Chicago - are a promising singing trio called The Dreamettes. Accompanied by their songwriter C.C. White (Effie's brother), they travel to New York to compete in a talent show at the Apollo Theatre. Although the girls lose this first bid for fame, their talent attracts an ambitious manager by the name of Curtis Taylor, Jr., who uses unscrupulous tactics to move the girls from backup singers of superstar James "Thunder" Early to superstars of their own. Curtis reshapes the group to "crossover" from R&B to the lucrative pop music scene. Lead singer Effie gets replaced by the more attractive Deena and is eventually dropped from the trio. The group evolves into a more sophisticated group, The Dreams, with a lighter sound and chic look. They successfully attract a "whiter" audience and The Dreams rise to international stardom. The money, fame, and adulation, however, doesn't bring them happiness. Deena decides to leave The Dreams and pursue a film career, and when the group finally learns of Curtis' drug problems and payola schemes, they decide to let it all go. At the final appearance of The Dreams, they reunite with Effie for one final number. The score includes "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going," "I Am Changing," "One Night Only," "Fake Your Way to the Top," "When I First Saw You," "Dreamgirls," "Steppin' to the Bad Side," and "Cadillac Car."

(source: Underdog Entertainment)

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Dreamgirls
The Review
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External links:
Underdog Entertainment
Dreamgirls: The Official Movie Site
Keith Robinson @ MySpace
Jennifer Hudson @ MySpace
Anika Noni Rose @ MySpace
Sharon Leal @ MySpace
Jamie Foxx Official Site
Beyoncé Knowles Official Site
Jennifer Hudson Official Site
Dreamgirls Fans @ BlogSpot
Dreamgirls @ The Internet Movie Database
Dreamgirls: Your Virtual Coffee Table Book of the Musical



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