Dreamgirls Film to Play Early Dates in NY, LA, San Fran

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, Beyonce 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 (Beyonce 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," state press materials.

Presented by DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures and produced by Laurence Mark, the film is adapted for the screen and directed by Bill Condon.  Dreamgirls features book and lyrics by Tom Eyen, music by Henry Krieger.  Patricia Whitcher is the executive producer.