DREAMGIRLS- LIVE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

[BroadwayBaby6]

Has anybody seen the Performance Riverside production of Dreamgirls? It's a short run and I'm not familiar with anybody in the cast (mostly non-equity). I am wondering if it's worth the drive...
DREAMGIRLS IN RIVERSIDE

[Here_I_Go_Again]

not sure with that production but i've herd of an AMAZING production in NYC from the kumble theatre. Not sure if it opened yet but it was all the talk at BDC a few days ago

[BroadwayBaby6]

Well yeah...That's the production Ben Harney (from the OBC) is directing.

[theaterdude87]

Prince Music Theater in Philadelphia had an outstanding production last year. It got rave reviews.

[Here_I_Go_Again]

broadwaybaby6, do you know anything about the NY production. i got tic a few weeks ago and i think the show is near slod out...HMMM i hope its good

[GhettoBway]

I hope its not sold out and i hope its good at $50 and the original Curtis it shouldnt be bad.

Ill go next week.

[BroadwayBaby6]

it's a young cast and it's a very short run...it also only has a 3 player combo instead of a full orchestra.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Riverside is never worth the drive.

[HumATune]

TheatreDiva90016, I lived in Riverhole for a few years, and I agree it sucks. You KNOW it’s bad when the biggest thing that happens every year is the Orange Blossom Festival.

[TheatreDiva90016]

I've never found a thing I like in Riverside.

[DG]

The Riverside theatre has had some HUGE swings in quality. We saw a SWEENEY there, directed by Calvin Remsberg (the Beadle on the DVD) which was breathtaking - completely Broadway quality. But that also seemed dependent on Steve Glaudini's Artistic Directorship, which has since disolved.

They have brought in a new A.D., so who knows where things are headed. The last few things have been mediocre to acceptable non-professional at best.

Not to be too blunt about it, but a cast for DREAMGIRLS would have to be completely imported - so who knows what they came up with. It really didn't cross my mind to investigate.

[ICEcreamAssassin]

its in riverside.. not worth the drive.. i'm waiting for the all out revival next year.. the film has sooo much buzz.. i dont doubt it will be revived or announced as a revival by the end of 2007. I can wait. I saw it 10yrs ago on tour and it was amazing. One of my top 5 for sure!

[IAMmyownMUSICAL]

actually my two good friends are involved in the show. Amber is playing in it, and John Vaughan directed. I saw the show opening night and it was a marvel. It really knocked it out of the park! Plus you can get a major discount with your student ID. I recommend this show. Riverside isn't always the best, but this one is worth it.

Last time I was there I saw the Fantasticks, and I loved it!!

[ICEcreamAssassin]

Fine Fine IAM... I guess I'll think about it! lol

[BroadwayBaby6]

I'm going to try and go Friday if I can get out of work early- the traffic to Riverside from the OC (or from LA) is horrible...

I haven't seen the show in many years and if anything, i will help me assess what changes the musical has made from the stage to the big screen.

The review in The local paper (the Riverside Press-Enterprise) was favorable...see below.

Music, Energy Carry Show

Review

05:48 PM PST on Tuesday, November 14, 2006

By SHERLI LEONARD
Special to The Press-Enterprise

RIVERSIDE - "Dreamgirls" explores racial prejudice in the 1970s, showbiz corruption, big egos and wounded egos.

If that sounds heavy, don't despair. The Performance Riverside production, continuing this weekend, is more than a message-machine that narrowly hits on many issues. It's a visual and musical feast that will paste a smile on your face at the beginning, and practically wear out your toes from tapping.

As a story, it tells of three young women singers who start at the bottom and, through luck and manipulation, rise to the top.

It tacks on a few allusions to the history of R&B, pitches in the issue of male dominance over women, and throws in the problems of Effie, a plus-sized woman with enormous talent, wrestling with battered self-esteem.

All these powerful stories, however, never gel together, and "Dreamgirls" loses its potential for offering meaty insight.

So forget about trying to make intellectual sense of "Dreamgirls," and soak up the immense talent of both performing and technical staff.

Imaginative lighting, spare sets that barely hint at structures, and spectacular costumes -- practically one costume change for every scene -- create a hugely energetic atmosphere for the performers.How blessed are those sound designers who carefully prevent the "belters" from becoming blasters.

As Effie, the lead singer-turned-stepping-block-for-everyone-else's-ambitions, Vonetta Mixson meets every vocal demand with a voice that ranges from light and tender to power belting with the best of them.

Completely consuming, she wrenches the heart with her solo pieces, especially "One Night Only."

In a show rife with engrossing performances, Sherman McLaurin as Jimmy and Allen Christopher as Curtis earn high praise.

McLaurin's infectious joy in his singing fuels the stage with energy, and with a give-it-your-all spirit, he charges his songs, especially "Walkin' Down the Strip" and "Rap," with unabashed in-your-face attitude.

Christopher, who creates a Curtis more like a driven power-monger than a conniving manipulator, has an amazing, silky voice with pure tones at both ends of his tremendous range.

In "You Are My Dream," he neatly handles difficult vocal leaps and controls demanding lines.

The classy orchestra, powered by percussion on steroids, provides the strong through-line to support singers and dancers.

Aside from an occasional flat tone from the singers in the pit, and the awkward timing in the Las Vegas Hotel scene in front of the curtain, Performance Riverside's production of "Dreamgirls" delivers complete entertainment.

[BroadwayBaby6]

I saw the Riverside production tonight...I can't say I recommend it, but I am glad I went because the the men playing Curtis and Jimmy were both fantastic. I'll keep the nagatives to my self.

[Miss B. L. T. Down]

I saw a production of Once on this Island at Performance Riverside that I felt was a lot better than the national tour in the early 90s. I've never seen any of their other shows though.

[BroadwayBaby6]

Their production of Dreamgirls used one equity actor, some professional non-equity actors and community college music/theatre students in most of the ensemble roles.

[gavrochegirl]

I know the director. His directing is okay, but his choreography blows me away!

[BroadwayBaby6]

The director and choreographer were not one and the same person. i believe the director was John Vaughn and the choreographer was Tony Alexander .

[gavrochegirl]

I know that. I'm just saying I prefer his choreography over his directing. Cause' he does choreograph.

[IAMmyownMUSICAL]

John Vaughan (director) works at citrus college...I've worked with him for 6 years. He is a well known director, but above everything else he is a choreographer. She was just stating that she likes what he does when he choreograph's better than when he directs.

And the choreographer was Orlando Alexander. I worked with him on Pirates of Penzance at the Candlelight Pavilion. He's great, and a bunch of fun!