For those of you who just can’t wait until Christmas Day when Dreamgirls finally opens, AOL Music is holding a “Listening Party” and streaming the entire soundtrack! Part of us encourages you to stay strong until Dec. 25 in order to experience Dreamgirls for the first time in the theater… Some of the songs sound incredibly cheesy without the aid of the visuals.

Then again, for those of you familiar with the musical and curious to hear how Jennifer Hudson stacks up against Beyonce, or wondering if Eddie Murphy’s vocal chops have improved since his last album, now’s the perfect time to polish your gavels and give your judging arm a good workout. So, if you’re man enough to give this soundtrack a listen, definitely let us know what your first impressions are!

Dreamgirls, the new movie musical directed by Kinsey’s Bill Condon, has been attracting a lot of attention thanks to its glitzy cast and $25 price tag (temporarily at least). So when the opportunity arose to catch a sneak preview, we tucked our $25 money orders back into our diamond-encrusted bras and jumped at the chance. Our verdict: If the salt-water-stains on our silken robes tell you anything, it is AMAZING. Yes, certain parts are cheesy and over-the-top (there’s a Jackson 5 montage that will force some cringe eating) and sure, Jamie Foxx’s singing voice is about as pleasant as a balloon slowly farting across a room, but people: There is so much to love!

After the jump, an informal review, an informal music video, and an informal poll: Will you be seeing Dreamgirls?

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Yesterday, we alerted you to the classic 1982 clip of Jennifer Holliday singing “And I Am Telling You” from Dreamgirls. There seems to be concern over whether American Idol star Jennifer Hudson will be able to hold a candle to Holliday, who originated the role on Broadway. But what no one seems to be mentioning is the other girl who vied for the role, Erica Marks. Sure she’s only 9-years-old, and, yes, she’s dressed head-to-toe in Bratz-brand clothing, but listen to her pipes! Look at that finger wavin’! Move over, Jennifer Holliday, there’s a tin-eared little white girl comin’ after yah.
p.s. What we meant to say is 9-year-olds shouldn’t be allowed to sing this song. Particularly Erica Marks. Agreed?

It is a rare and sparkling day that we find a legitimate reason to post anything musical theater related here at BWE. But please, don’t stop reading, because you will be rewarded with one of the best live performances ever! One of the most hyped about movies vying for Oscar gold this season is Bill Condon’s Dreamgirls, the story of a trio of black female singers, their quest for fame, and the complications that result. Those unfamiliar with the plot probably know that Beyonce plays one of the “Dreamettes”. But fans of the musical are much more concerned with the casting of American Idol runner-up Jennifer Hudson playing the pivotal role of Effie, the slightly plump and eventually jilted singer. We’ve always loved Hudson and have been confident in her abilities since the beginning. However an EW article about the film mentioned that the originator of the role, Jennifer Holliday, was a complete powerhouse, and that footage from her legendary 1982 Tony Awards performance of “And I Am Telling You” was available on Youtube. We found the clip, and… wow. It is hands down the most moving live performance we have ever seen. Really, if you’re still with us, watch this clip. And then, for the first time, start to feel nervous for the 25-year-old newcomer trying to fill these bigger-than-life shoes.