DREAMGIRLS Comes To The Orpheum 1/12-17/2010

Dreamgirls, the smash hit musical about an up-and-coming 1960s singing girl group, debuts in Minnesota at Hennepin Theatre Trust's Orpheum Theatre, Jan. 12-17, 2010. With music by Academy Award nominee Henry Krieger and lyrics and book by Tony and Grammy-winning Tom Eyen, it features the unforgettable hits "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going," "One Night Only" and "Listen." This all-new production premiered at Harlem's legendary Apollo Theater in New York City on November 22, 2009 before embarking on an international tour. Dreamgirls, which was made into an award-winning film, is presented by Hennepin Theatre Trust as part of its 2009/10 Broadway Across America-Minneapolis Season. Tickets for Dreamgirls are on sale now. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.HennepinTheatreTrust.org or call 1-800-982-2787.

Full of onstage joy and backstage drama, Dreamgirls tells 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 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. The cast of 26 also includes 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. The ensemble will feature 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 was adapted into a motion picture by DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures and opened in December 2006. The film, starring Beyoncé Knowles as Deena and Jennifer Hudson as Effie, 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.

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Dreamgirls Debuts in Minnesota Press Release, p. 2

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

TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets for Dreamgirls are on sale now and range in price from $28-78 (subject to change) depending on performance time and seating preference. All prices include applicable facility fees. Additional charges may apply. Tickets may be purchased in person at the State Theatre Box Office (805 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, 55402), online at HennepinTheatreTrust.org, or through Ticketmaster by calling 1-800-982-2787 or visiting a Ticketmaster Ticket Center.
Performance dates for Dreamgirls are Tuesday, Jan. 12 through Sunday, Jan. 17, 2010 at the Orpheum Theatre. Show times are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and

8 p.m. and Sunday at 1 and 6:30 p.m.
Groups of 15 or more are eligible for discounts and should call 612-373-5665 for information and reservations.
HENNEPIN THEATRE TRUST, owner of the historic State, Orpheum and Pantages Theatres, is a non-profit organization devoted to enriching the vibrant cultural atmosphere of the Twin Cities. The Trust's activities include Broadway touring productions, concerts, comedy, speakers and other variety entertainment plus educational initiatives including the SpotLight Musical Theatre Program for high schools, Critical View student reviewer program, Teen Ushers, the Access Program and Kids' Night. For more information, go to HennepinTheatreTrust.org.
Broadway Across America (Producer) is owned and operated by British theatre producer John Gore (CEO) and entertainment industry veteran Thomas B. McGrath (Chairman). Broadway Across America presents first-class touring musicals and plays across 40 North American cities. Under the supervision of Beth Williams (COO & Head of Production), Broadway Across America is also dedicated to the development and production of new and diverse theatre. Recent productions include Hair, West Side Story, Memphis, Irving Berlin's White Christmas and the West End production of Breakfast At Tiffany's. Upcoming Broadway productions include Promises, Promises, Million Dollar Quartet and Minsky's. Touring productions include Dreamgirls and Nickelodeon's Storytime Live. Please visit BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com.