DREAMGIRLS Plays The National Theatre 7/28-8/8

Producer John Breglio and The National Theatre announced casting today for the national tour of DREAMGIRLS, coming to Washington, D.C., July 28 through August 8. 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 Chaz Lamar Shepherd as Curtis Taylor, Jr., Chester Gregory as James "Thunder" Early, Trevon Davis as C.C. White, and Milton Craig Nealy as Marty Madison. At certain performances, Patrice Covington plays the role of Effie White. The cast of 26 also features Felicia Boswell, Tallia Brinson, Ronald Duncan, Talitha Farrow, Brittney Griffin, James Harkness, Robert Hartwell, Eric Jackson, Jared Joseph, Nikki Kimbrough, Brittany Lewis, Douglas Lyons, Kimberly Marable, Jarran Muse, Amaker Smith, and Marc Spaulding, a Prince George's County native.

Ticket prices for DREAMGIRLS range from $55.00 to $95.00 (plus $1.50 facility fee and any online charges), with a limited number of premium seats. Tickets are currently available through Telecharge by visiting www.telecharge.com or by calling (800) 447-7400. Tickets will be available at The National Theatre Box Office beginning Monday, July 5. Group orders of 10 or more may be placed by calling (866) 276-2947. For more information, call (202) 628-6161 or visit www.nationaltheatre.org.

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.

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 New York City on November 22, 2009, before embarking on an international tour.

For more information, please visit the official DREAMGIRLS website at www.DreamgirlsOnStage.com.

Biographies

Moya Angela (Effie White) joins the cast from The Lion King's Gazelle and Cheetah tours (Disney). Her roles included Rafiki and Shenzi. She is a native of Indianapolis, IN, where she won two Encore Awards in her roles as Sara in Ragtime and Adapearle in The Wiz. Moya made her NYC debut with the company of Dreamgirls.

Syesha Mercado (Deena Jones) rose to fame as the second runner-up on American Idol's seventh season. The rising starlet has begun recording her first album, collaborating with prominent writers and producers, including Grammy-winner Diane Warren and Evan Bogart. As a young actress, Syesha received the prestigious South Eastern Theatre Conference's "Best Supporting Actress" award. She majored in theater at Florida International University and has appeared in national commercials.

Chaz Lamar Shepherd (Curtis Taylor, Jr.). Philadelphia's Chaz Shepherd has co-starred in many TV shows (7th Heaven, The Parkers, The Game...) and as Harpo on Broadway's The Color Purple. After being on the Billboard charts 3 times in 2009, Chaz's soul/R&B album will be released during the Dreamgirls tour. Chaz's gospel work was Grammy nominated in 2009.

Chester Gregory (James "Thunder" Early) an award-winning actor/performer/singer/songwriter, is ecstatic about being "Jimmy" inDreamgirls and returning to the World Famous Apollo Theater where he made his NY debut as "Jackie Wilson" in The Jackie Wilson Story (Jeff, AUDELCO, BTAA and Black Excellence Awards). Broadway: Hairspray (Seaweed), Cry-Baby (Dupree) and Tarzan (Terk).Other credits include Hairspray (Movie) and performing for Michael Jackson. Chester has a BFA from Columbia Chicago. His music is available at www.ChesterGregory.com.

Adrienne Warren (Lorrell Robinson) is a recent graduate of Marymount Manhattan College. New York Theatre: The Wiz (Dorothy understudy for Encores! Summer Stars). Regional: Little Shop of Horrors, Cats, Big River, and the 25th anniversary of Dreamgirls starring Jennifer Holliday. Training: Ann Reinking's Broadway Theatre Project. Trans Siberian Orchestra 2008-2009 Winter Tour (Featured Vocalist).

Trevon Davis (C.C. White), a native of Flint, Michigan and a graduate of Clark Atlanta University, was a finalist on BET's Sunday Best and appeared in MTV's Making the Band 4. He is a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America, Inc. and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He thanks his family and friends for their continuous support and God for His many blessings.

Margaret Hoffman (Michelle Morris) recently graduated from Sam Houston State University, obtaining a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre. While attending school, Margaret has performed in several theatrical and entertainment events at the premiere theatres of Houston, TX, such as The Ensemble Theatre and Theatre Under The Stars.

Milton Craig Nealy (Marty Madison) is happy to be a part of this new production of Dreamgirls, having been in the original Broadway and 1987 revival productions. He also created the roles of Agwe in Once on This Island and Four-Eyed Moe in Five Guys Named Moe on Broadway. Other Broadway credits include: Caroline, or Change, John in Miss Saigon (as well as the London and Australian productions),Mail and the revival of Ain't Misbehavin'. National tours: The Full Monty (also in Australia), Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar (20th anniversary tour) and Sing, Mahalia, Sing, starring Jennifer Holliday. Milton won the Best of Westword Award for his performance as Jacob in La Cage Aux Folles. Films include "The Blues Brothers."

Patrice Covington (Effie White at certain performances). 2010 Grammy Award Nominee: 30th Anniversary Cast Recording of Ain't Misbehavin' (Best Musical Album). Recent credits, Tour: Ain't Misbehavin' w/Ruben Studdard (Armelia), Beehive (Wanda). Regional:Hello Dolly (Ernestina/Mrs. Rose/Dolly u/s), All Shook Up (Sylvia). Proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Endless thanks to God, my charming and supportive fiancé "E," family, friends & Thomas at DDO Artists Agency! "Don't be a star...be a galaxy!" www.PatriceCovington.com

DREAMGIRLS Performance Schedule
Wednesday, July 28 7:30 pm
Thursday, July 29 2 pm & 7:30 pm (Press Night at 7:30 pm)
Friday, July 30 8 pm
Saturday, July 31 2 pm & 8 pm
Sunday, August 1 2 pm & 7:30 pm
Monday, August 2 Dark
Tuesday, August 3 7:30 pm
Wednesday, August 4 7:30 pm
Thursday, August 5 7:30 pm
Friday, August 6 8 pm
Saturday, August 7 2 pm* & 8 pm
Sunday, August 8 2 pm** & 7:30 pm
* - Audio Described
** - ASL Interpreted