BWW Reviews: They're Your DREAMGIRLS, They'll Make You Happy

The excitement is palpable. As the curtain rises and you hear the first few rhythmic bangs of percussion from the band, while an array of sparkling lights display moving images of the famous Apollo Theater marquis, the audience knows... this is not just another rehash of an already beloved musical. This fresh, entertaining reboot of the Tony® Award-winning stage musical DREAMGIRLS (now playing at the Orange County Performing Arts Center through May 2) is exquisitely vintage, yet surprisingly modern all at the same time. It's a reverent homage to the soulful musical roots of pop music, displayed with a knowing wink and a contemporary eye that aims to be enthralling to both longtime fans of the original stage production and to new fans that have discovered it recently, thanks to Bill Condon's splashy Oscar®-lauded 2006 film adaptation. The iconic, memorable score that accompanies its all-too-familiar story, performed by truly gifted actor-singers within a vividly-conceived backdrop, all mesh together to make this new DREAMGIRLS quite a satisfying revamp.

The history behind this musical is quite well-known. Armed with a story that is obviously inspired by the rise of R&B music and the Motown record label in the 1960's, the show made its debut on Broadway in 1981. It later garnered 13 Tony nominations, eventually winning 6—one of which was deservedly awarded to Jennifer Holliday, the show's breakout star who played the full-figured, super-talented, super tempestuous Effie White. Effie's first act closer "And I Am Telling You... I'm Not Going" became a popular battle cry anthem and the show itself, originally helmed by Michael Bennett, became a super-sized hiT. Fast forward to 2009, and this new take on DREAMGIRLS, which before touring the US, debuted at the Apollo Theater in Harlem—the setting of the show's fictional beginning and end—is snappier, more lively, and certainly more visually captivating, yet still preserving the heart and soul of the original.

The story, like in the original production, remains the same: The audience is re-introduced to young aspiring music group The Dreamettes, comprised of big-voiced (and big-bodied) lead singer Effie White (Moya Angela) and her two best friends, Deena Jones (American Idol's Syesha Mercado) and Lorrell Robinson (Adrienne Warren). The trio is competing at the famous amateur talent contest at the Apollo, where they meet smirky car salesman/agent wannabe Curtis Taylor, Jr. (Chaz Lamar Shepherd). After the girls lose the contest, Curtis offers them the opportunity to become the touring back-up group for James "Thunder" Early (Chester Gregory). Effie—her outsize ego matching her vocal prowess—flat out refuses the offer at first, but succumbs to pressure from the other girls and her brother C.C. (Trevon Davis). Sadly, this will not be the first time Effie gives up her desires for the "collective" betterment of the group. Off stage, Curtis starts a romantic relationship with Effie, while Lorrell surrenders to the come-ons of Jimmy, despite being married.

The musical continues by tracking the early breakthrough of R&B music into the mainstream landscape, as personified by the meteoric rise of the Dreamettes: first as the "oohs and aahs" girls for Jimmy Early, then later as a famous stand-alone pop group now led by Deena, much to Effie's protests. The idea behind the new front-woman was to make the group (now dubbed The Dreams) more acceptable and tolerable by a white audience, thereby allowing them to successfully cross over to the Pop charts. "We need a lighter sound" explains C.C., siding against his own sister. "Your voice is too special." Perhaps speaking about his own downward spiral with success, Jimmy assures Effie that "the best survive wherever they're put..."

This switch, masterminded by their money-hungry svengali Curtis, alludes to what will eventually become the all-important, all encompassing trend in music that is still very much the norm today: it's not merely just a person's talent that creates a star, they also have to possess the complete package that also include style, beauty and charisma. Talent is simply just a not-so-high item on the checklist. By the time the show ends the first act with Effie getting ousted—Curtis replaces Effie both on stage and in the bedroom—her deeply emotional proclamation of love and defiance in "And I Am Telling You..." is powerfully moving and has the audience wishing for her triumphant comeback.

The show has plenty of visual eye candy, from the successive parade of costumes to the arrestingly clever choreography. Under the direction of Robert Longbottom, this fresh, robust DREAMGIRLS is also revitalized by a sense of movement. Often, behind-the-curtain scenarios prove to be rather static, with actors pacing the stage. But thanks to an ever-changing, ever-moving backdrop—achieved ingeniously via large lighted LED panels that move accordingly—the musical is provided with a plethora of various scenery, framing, backdrops and architecture. In an instant, the audience watches characters seamlessly from center stage to backstage and even from the wings. The production doesn't have a set, in the traditional sense: the hardworking, strategically placed panels do all the work. Such reliance on these technically complex systems are fine, but could possibly prove problematic if they somehow fail to function. On opening night of this particular tour stop, one of the massive panels failed to place itself properly during the finale. While it provided only a minor distraction, it did not take away from the amazing vocal talents of the cast. This begs the question though... What happens to the show when the panels fail in the middle of the show, especially when they become so crucial to the show's storytelling trajectory?

But fear for technical difficulties does not in any way detract from the most important ingredient of this show: it's wonderfully talented cast. As Effie, Angela is transformative. At times funny, and other times tragic, Angela's excellent portrayal can join the ranks behind the two famous Effies that came before her: Tony winner Jennifer Holliday and Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson. She shines in every solo number she belts from her gut-wrenching Act 1 closer, to her slow-and-steady "One Night Only"... indeed a hard feat considering the shoes she's stepping into for the show.

As Jimmy Early, Gregory effortlessly steals the show with every appearance, thanks to some amazing vocal pipes, an ingenious sense of comic timing, and his showstopper skills to portray his character's over-the-top tendencies, as any good showman can. As the silky smooth counterpart to Effie's harder, soulful edge, Mercado is gorgeously splendid as Deena. Evoking Diana Ross with ease, her beautiful voice reminds the audience why she did so well on American Idol (short of making the final two in her season, unfortunately). Her 11 o'clock duet with Effie on "Listen" (a song plucked from the popular motion picture adaptation, rewritten for this tour with new lyrics as a duet) becomes a powerhouse moment for the two incredible singers to harmonize. As the third Dream, Warren is spunky and a constant source of giddy laughter. And yes, the girl can sing too! Her portrait of Lorrell from young naive dreamer to mature, self-assured woman is a wonderful transition to witness.

Overall, this 21st century enhancement of DREAMGIRLS is not only a visual feast, but also a terrific musical showcase that combines a rich memorable score with incredibly talented voices that bring them all to life. To borrow a line from the title song, "They're your Dream Girls... They'll make you happy." Indeed.

Grade: A-

Photos of the National Tour of DREAMGIRLS by Joan Marcus.
Top: Adrienne Warren, Syesha Mercado, and Moya Angela.
Middle: Chaz Lamar Shepherd and Moya Angela.
Bottom: Chester Gregory and Adrienne Warren.

Read BroadwayWorld's Interview with Syesha Mercado HERE.

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Tickets to see DREAMGIRLS start at $20 and are now available online at OCPAC.org, at the Center's Box Office at 600 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa or by calling 714.556.2787. For inquiries about group ticket discounts for 15 or more, call the Group Services office at 714.755.0236. The TTY number is 714.556.2746. The 2 p.m. performance on Saturday, May 1 will be sign-language interpreted.

FREE TALK-BACKS with DREAMGIRLS Cast Members:
OCPAC has scheduled two post-performance talkbacks with cast members on April 22 and 29. During the talkbacks, which will follow the performances in Segerstrom Hall, audience members can speak to the cast and ask questions. The talkbacks are free, but tickets to the April 22 and 29 performances of DREAMGIRLS are required.

DREAMGIRLS introduces Moya Angela as Effie White and features 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 is James "Thunder" Early, Trevon Davis as C.C. White, Milton Craig Nealy as Marty Madison in a cast of 26 that also features Tallia Brinson, Felicia Boswell, Ronald Duncan, Patrice Covington, Talitha Farrow, Brittney Griffin, James Harkness, Robert Hartwell, Eric Jackson, Chauncey Jenkins, Jared Joseph, Nikki Kimbrough, Brittany Lewis, Douglas Lyons, Kimberly Marable, Jarran Muse, Amaker Smith and Marc Spaulding.

DREAMGIRLS is directed and choreographed by Robert Longbottom with 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.

For more information, visit OCPAC.org or visit the official DREAMGIRLS Web site at DreamgirlsOnStage.com.

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