New Casting Set for Philly Dreamgirls; A Commerical Future for the Show?

By: Feb. 02, 2006
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The Prince Music Theater's acclaimed production of Dreamgirls, which was recently extended through February 26th, might have a commerical future. In addition, new cast members will be welcomed to the show.

 "This production of Dreamgirls has touched audience's hearts. Once we opened, performances began selling out and demand has continued to be strong. Producers and presenters have approached the Prince about the future life of the production," said Prince Producing Director Marjorie Samoff.

Dreamgirls, which is directed by Richard M. Parison, is currently on a one-week hiatus through February 7th so that the show's new cast members can rehearse. The new performers will include original Broadway Dreamgirls cast member Milton Craig Nealy as Marty,, Erick Pinnick as Curtis Taylor Jr. and Vanessa Jones as Michelle Morris. Gillian Burke as the new Stepp Sister and Ryan Haggett as Dave will also be added to the ensemble.

The Dreams will be the same three actresses that opened in the show--Nova Payton as Effie, Chauntee Schuler as Deena, and Cjay Hardy Philip as Lorrell. Forrest McClendon and Denver Andre Taylor are other cast members who will have been with the show for its three-month run; they play CC White and Jerry Norman, respectively. The cast also includes Eugene Fleming as James Thunder Early, James T. Lane as Wayne, and Piper Arpan, Janelle Neal, Erika Vaughn, Dawn Marie Watson, Ricky Whitfied, Corey West, James Clark and Jason Michael.

The Pennsylvania production of Dreamgirls precedes a highly-anticipated film version that begins shooting next month for a December 2006 release. "American Idol"'s Jennifer Hudson will play Effie Melody White, the phenomenally talented vocalist who is considered unmarketable as the lead singer of the Supremes-like Motown group The Dreams, and who is dropped in favor of the glamorous Deena Jones (played by pop superstar Beyonce Knowles). Sharon Leal (Rent, "Guiding Light," "Boston Public") will play Michelle, who replaces Effie in the Dreams. The cast also includes Eddie Murphy as soul superstar James "Thunder" Early, Danny Glover as Early's manager Marty Madison, Academy-Award winner Jamie Foxx as Dreams manager Curtis Taylor Jr., three-time Tony Award-winner Hinton Battle as Wayne, and Tony Award-winner Anika Noni Rose as Lorrell Robinson, the vivacious third member of the Dreams.

Dreamgirls, a co-production between DreamWorks and Paramount Pictures, will be directed by Bill Condon, the Academy Award-winner who received an Oscar nomination for his screenplay for the film version of Chicago. He will also adapt the screenplay from Tom Eyen's book (Eyen also wrote the lyrics to Henry Kreiger's music).
 
Dreamgirls opened at the Imperial Theatre on December 20th, 1981. A smash hit, it ran for 1521 performances and won 8 of it 15 Tony nominations. The show featured a score by Henry Krieger and Tow Ewen, a book by Ewen, scenic design by Robin Wagner, costume design by Theoni V. Aldredge and lighting design by Tharon Musser. Dazzlingly staged by Michael Bennett, the show nonetheless lost the Best Musical Tony to Nine. Jennifer Holliday, Sheryl Lee Ralph and Loretta Devine were the three Dreams, and Cleavant Derricks, Ben Harney and Obba Babatunde were also featured. Dreamgirls was revived in 1987 with Lillias White, Alisa Gyse and Arnetia Walker. Heather Headley, Audra McDonald and White headlined the 2001 Actors' Fund benefit concert.

Regularly priced tickets range from $20 to $55 and student/group discounts, rush tickets and flex packages are available at UPstages box office by calling 215-569-9700 and online at www.princemusictheater.org.

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