National Tour of the Smash Hit Musical DREAMGIRLS Makes its Philadelphia Premiere at Academy of Music, June 22 – 27
MAY 12, 2010
“All You Got To Do Is Dream”
Local Cast Members Shine!
Tickets Now On
Producer John Breglio and
Full of onstage joy and backstage drama, DREAMGIRLS tells the story of an up-and-coming, 1960s singing girl group, and the triumphs and tribulations that come with fame and fortune. Hopeful talents Deena Jones, Lorrell Robinson and Effie White are performing as The Dreamettes when ambitious agent Curtis Taylor, Jr. discovers them. He lands them a job as backup singers for the soul and rock ‘n’ roll sensation James “Thunder” Early and begins to guide their quickly rising career. However, when the beautiful Deena emerges as the star of the group rather than the full-voiced Effie, the girls are brought to personal and professional crossroads.
Ticket prices range from $25 to $100 may be purchased by calling 215-731-3333, online at www.kimmelcenter.org, at the
DREAMGIRLS will introduce Moya Angela as Effie White and feature--- as The Dreams, Syesha Mercado as Deena Jones*, Adrienne Warren as Lorrell Robinson, and Margaret Hoffman as Michelle Morris with Philadelphia native Chaz Lamar Shepherd as Curtis Taylor, Jr., Chester Gregory as James “Thunder” Early, Trevon Davis as C.C. White, Milton Craig Nealy as Marty Madison. At certain performances, Patrice Covington plays the role of Effie White. The cast of 26 also features Tallia Brinson, Jarran Muse and Marc Spaulding, all graduates of
DREAMGIRLS is directed and choreographed by Robert Longbottom with co-choreography by Shane Sparks, scenic design by Robin Wagner, costume design by William Ivey Long, lighting design by Ken Billington, sound deign by Acme Sound Partners, and media design by Howard Werner for Lightswitch. DREAMGIRLS features music by Henry Krieger and lyrics and book by Tom Eyen with additional material by Willie Reale. DREAMGIRLS is produced by John Breglio for Vienna Waits Productions.
The original Broadway production of DREAMGIRLS opened December 20, 1981, at the Imperial Theatre and won six Tony Awards and three Drama Desk Awards in 1982. It closed on Broadway August 11, 1985, after 1,521 performances. The original Broadway production was directed by Michael Bennett and choreographed by Bennett and Michael Peters. DREAMGIRLS was adapted into a motion picture by DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures, and opened in December 2006. The film won two Academy Awards, five Golden Globes, and two Screen Actor’s Guild Awards in 2007 in addition to a Grammy Award for Best Song written for a Motion Picture (“Love You I Do”). The most popular song from the film, “Listen,” has been incorporated into the new stage version of DREAMGIRLS as a stirring Act II duet for Deena and Effie. This all-new production of DREAMGIRLS premiered at Harlem’s legendary Apollo Theater in
For more information, please visit the official DREAMGIRLS website at www.DreamgirlsOnStage.com
The Broadway Season is presented by the
In addition to DREAMGIRLS, remaining 2009-2010 Broadway Season productions at the Academy of Music, Forrest Theatre and Merriam Theater include: Lord of the Dance (May 14 – 16) and
Local Broadway Press Contact: CJM Public Relations, Carole J. Morganti, CJMpr01@aol.com 609-953-0570
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