BWW Reviews: DREAMGIRLS Shimmies Into Naples

Shimmy shimmy. Shake shake. Dip. Croon. Sparkle. Wail. Ooooooh. "We're you're 'Dreamgirls.'"

Delightful, delicious, feathery, fluffy musical "Dreamgirls" floated into the Phil (sigh, Artis-Naples) Wednesday. There's a reason the show appears for "One Night Only," but the music of Motown makes it a speedy one.

To the surprise of no one, the musical came first, in 1981. That same year, both Jennifer Hudson and Beyonce Knowles, co-stars of the 2006 film version, were born.

"Dreamgirls" throws various "rise to fame" stories of R&B groups into a blender, adds thumping music and a glittering forest of costumes, then spins it across the stage. What results is this gorgeous-crazy-insane confection of lollipop fantasy clothes, a light-show that puts rock concerts to shame and music that had folks nodding and toe-tapping.

Still, with all the giddy fun, the show can't conquer one flaw. You really can't "mix it in a mixer and pretend." Singer sob stories are common; and there's nothing particularly interesting or original in the telling of this one. The musical just never gives you a reason to care about the characters.

The real star of "Dreamgirls?" The music itself. Removed from the famous faces, cinematic editing and in the hands of "Why aren't these people on Broadway" voices - the songs shine. The groove-groove of "Cadillac Car," the glistening champagne bubbles as the title song fizzes across the stage. And Charity Dawson's enormous voice in "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" or the wanting, longing, aching "I Am Changing." Watch out Aretha!

Understudy JoNathan Michael steps into the James "Thunder" Early role with gusto. Eddie who? The performance conveys the demons of the music business - and delivers a full appreciation of the raw, funkier side of early R&B.

Sound - so disappointing. The ten-piece orchestra did Detroit proud. But boy, it was LOUD! Louder than the singers, at least. But at least it was a great SOUND!

Oh, and lights. The bare stage design highlights the lack of character development in "Dreamgirls," but clears the way for a jaw-dropping light-show. Remember those Lite-Brite kits? Toss about a million of those in a wood-chipper, add a few hundred thousand volts and lick a poisonous toad. Exciting. You almost forget to be bored by the tedious story.

Chris Silk is the arts writer and theater critic for the Naples Daily News. To read the longer version of this review, go to: http://www.gonaples.com/news/2013/may/23/review-artis-naples-dreamgirls-the-musical/.

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