Nathaniel Stampley & More Join Cast of Milwaukee Repertory Theater's DREAMGIRLS

Milwaukee Repertory Theater announced casting today for Dreamgirls, the Tony Award-winning musical which opens Saturday, September 26 and runs from September 22 - November 1, 2015 in The Rep's Quadracci Powerhouse.

Following sold-out runs of Ragtime and The Color Purple, the Quadracci Powerhouse kicks off the 2015/16 Season with the groundbreaking musical Dreamgirls. Winner of six Tony Awards and loosely based on the career of The Supremes, the musical features such hits as "Steppin' to the Bad Side," "One Night Only," and the show-stopping "And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going." Dreamgirls celebrates the music of the 1960s and '70s with dynamic performances and a moving look at the behind-the-scenes reality of the entertainment industry. The production will be directed by Artistic Director Mark Clements, who begins his sixth season at The Rep, and will be choreographed by award-winning international choreographer Stephen Mear.

The cast for Dreamgirls includes Washington, D.C. native Nova Y. Payton in the title role as Effie White. Credits include: Dreamgirls (Signature Theatre, Helen Hayes Award nomination for Outstanding Actress, Resident Musical); Freedom's Song (Ford's Theatre); Godspell (Olney Theatre); Sheryl Crow's Diner, Elmer Gantry, and Xanadu (Signature Theatre); Hairspray (Signature Theatre, Helen Hayes Award for Best Supporting Actress); and the DVD/CD 3 Mo' Divas (2010 NAACP nomination for Outstanding Duo, Group, or Collaboration).

Broadway veteran and Milwaukee native Nathaniel Stampley returns to Milwaukee Rep after appearing in last season's production of The Color Purple as Mister. Broadway credits include: The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess, The Color Purple, and The Lion King; West End: The Lion King; and National Tour: Ragtime.

Dallas, Texas native and Broadway performer Cedric Neal will also appear in Milwaukee Rep's production of Dreamgirls. Credits include: After Midnight (Original Broadway Production); The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess (Broadway Revival); and Dreamgirls (Signature Theatre, Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor); Tours: A Midnight Cry and African Tales of Earth and Sky; and Television: Friday Night Lights.

Making their Milwaukee Rep debuts are: Richard Crandle, Hairspray (National Tour); A Celebration of Terrence McNally (Westport Country Playhouse) and Cat in the Hat (Arden Theatre Company); Erica Dorfler, Forbidden Broadway: Comes Out Swinging (Off-Broadway); and Scandalous and Baby It's You (Broadway); Bradley Gibson, Rocky (Original Broadway production); Chicago (National Tour); and The Long Goodbye (The Old Globe); Jared Joseph, Holler if Ya Hear Me (Original Broadway production); and Dreamgirls (U.S. Tour); Eric A. Lewis, All Shook Up (Fireside Theatre); The Who's Tommy (Paramount Theatre); More than a Miracle (Congo Theatre); and Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (Theatre at the Center); and Dan'yelle Williamson, Memphis and Scandoulous (Broadway); Soul Doctor (Off-Broadway); and The Lion King (National Tour).

Returning to Milwaukee Repertory Theater are: Jonathan Butler-Duplessis, The Color Purple, From My Hometown, Death of a Salesman, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, and Cabaret (Milwaukee Rep) and 2010/11 Rep Artistic Intern Ensemble Member; Carl Clemons-Hopkins, The Color Purple, Ragtime, and Blues in the Night (Milwaukee Rep); Jennifer Latimore, Good People (Milwaukee Rep) and 2014/15 Rep Artistic Intern Ensemble Member; Malkia Stampley, The Color Purple, Intimate Apparel, Sueño, and A Christmas Carol (Milwaukee Rep) and 2005/06 Rep Artistic Intern Ensemble Member; and Leonard E. Sullivan, The Color Purple (Milwaukee Rep) and Hairspray and Disney's High School Musical (National Tours).

The Creative Team for Dreamgirls includes: Artistic Director/Director, Mark Clements; Music Director, Dan Kazemi±; Choreographer, Stephen Mear; Scenic Designer, Todd Edward Ivins±; Costume Designer, Alexander B. Tecoma; Lighting Designer, Thomas C. Hase; Sound Designer, Barry G. Funderburg; Music Supervisor, John Tanner±; Fight Choreographer, Jamie Cheatham; Casting Director, JC Clementz; and Assistant Director, Ryan Holihan.

± Rep Associate Artist.