Dreamgirls Act 2 Opening 1983 Linda Leilani Brown

Revised Act 2 opening for the Los Angeles stop of the 1983 National Tour. This was specially designed for Linda Leilani Brown by director Michael Bennett.
You will notice several differences between this and how it was later performed. Deena's opening verse about her european shopping spree is slightly different. The backstage scene is longer and includes Curtis and C.C. arguing over 'One Night Only' (which is usually during "One More Picture, Please"). And there is a whole extra verse at the end of the song.


Cast:

Linda Leilani Brown as Deena Jone
Arnetia Walker as Lorrell Robinson
Deborah Burrell as Michelle Morris

Larry Riley as Curtis Taylor, Jr.
Clinton Derricks-Carroll as James "Thunder" Early
Lawrence Clayton as C.C. White

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Dreamgirl
• L.A. Production
• Linda Leilani Brown
• 1983
• BROADWAY
• national tour

[legedaryone]

Its no shade Miss Ralph is my favorite Deena of all time, but Miss Brown you worked this...where is she today?

[youndatmonkee]

@legedaryone I think Leilani is my favorite, simply because that medley of the 1983 tour on Live and In Person is what really sold me on Dreamgirls. But It's a toss up, they were both the best Deenas in the Shows 30 years history. But, I love different aspects of each performance...

[mark91345]

7 minutes and 24 seconds of pure unadulterated ecstasy!

[youndatmonkee]

@mark91345 I agree!

[lf1234]

Star power. Pure star power. That is what Ms. Brown is exuding here. Awesome.

[youndatmonkee]

@lf1234

[DamitaJoBoy9]

I love the second act opener. I would LOVE to see Sheryl Lee do this.

[rocky362]

I love that they tired so many different things with this musical, and that its documented, what trips me out is that their have only been a few good revivals of this show (ex. the Prince Music Theater production in philly) and that national tour sucked !!!! the set and the movie tie in were the star, not the story or the performing. epic show in american theater history i think

[legedaryone]

@youndatmonkee I love Linda and waht she brings to the rols but its a bit too remionscent of Miss Ross to me.Not to knock Linda or anything because she is right behind SLR in my opinon to really master Deena. But what Sheryly did was bring Deena to liffe for that went beyond just a comparison of Diana. Sheryl had a way of making it seem that she was not Diana but her main competion. Ralph had that Diva thing down, but Linda was pure showgirl

[atlsuperstar]

Where is Linda now?..and why didn't she do anything else on Broadway she was soo talented!

[denis65]

OMG, finally a version closest to when I saw it in 1985 on Broadway. Linda was Deena, Loretta was Lorrell, Terry Burrell was Michelle. When they went up to the rafters I was totally blown away! It was further edited down by the time I saw it, but I"m pleased as punch to see this uploaded. Thank you and keep up the good work!

[salmdesign]

Wow. I remember this. I was there--The Schubert I think. Sat in the balcony.