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Dreamgirls opened on Broadway on December 20, 1981 at the Imperial Theatre, where it played for 1521 performances. Through gospel, R&B, smooth pop, disco and more, Dreamgirls explores themes of ambition, hope and betrayal, all set in the glamorous and competitive world of the entertainment industry.
Dreamgirls, a powerhouse musical that echoes the rise of Motown legends, takes audiences on a dazzling journey back to the 1960s. The story centers on The Dreams, a phenomenal female singing trio from Chicago - the soulful Effie White, the beautiful Deena Jones, and the optimistic Lorrell Robinson. Their chance encounter with a famous R&B singer, Jimmy "Thunder" Early, lands them a backup gig, igniting their dreams of stardom. However, their ambitious manager, Curtis Taylor Jr., has a different vision. He molds The Dreams into a polished pop act with a lighter sound, pushing Deena to the forefront while sidelining Effie's powerful voice in favor of a more "marketable" image.
As The Dreams climb the charts, their friendship crumbles under the pressure of fame and shifting priorities. Effie feels betrayed when she's replaced, Deena struggles with loyalty to her friend and the pressures of success, and Lorrell navigates the complexities of love and ambition within the cutthroat world of show business. Dreamgirls, featuring iconic songs like "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" and "Dreamgirls," is a powerful exploration of friendship, betrayal, and the price of fame in the ever-evolving music industry.
- Henry Krieger
- Tom Eyen
Authors
Tony Awards and Nominations for Dreamgirls
| Year | Category | |
|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Best Musical | |
| 1988 | Best Revival |
News About Dreamgirls at McCarter Theatre
Spotlight: DREAMGIRLS at McCarter Theatre Center
March 08, 2024Make it a Dream date
DREAMGIRLS Starts Performances at McCarter This Week - Full Cast Announced!
March 03, 2024McCarter Theatre Center has announced the cast for the revival of the Tony and Grammy award-winning DREAMGIRLS. Learn more here!
Video: Go Behind The Scenes of The Sets of DREAMGIRLS at McCarter Theatre Center
February 20, 2024Go behind the scenes of the sets of McCarter Theatre Center - which is presenting the Tony Award-winning, Motown-infused musical, Dreamgirls, in co-production with Goodspeed Musicals. Watch the all-new video.
Video: Go Behind The Scenes Of The Dreamgirls Costume Shop For McCarter Theatre Center
February 14, 2024McCarter Theatre Center is presenting the Tony Award-winning, Motown-infused musical, Dreamgirls, in co-production with Goodspeed Musicals. In an all-new video, go behind the scenes of the costumes for the production.
VIDEO: Get a First Look at DREAMGIRLS at McCarter Theatre Center
January 09, 2024Get a first look at footage of Dreamgirls at McCarter Theatre Center. Learn how to purchase tickets!
McCarter Theatre Center Announces The Addition Of Tony And Grammy Award-Winning DREAMGIRLS To 2023-2024 Season
September 08, 2023McCarter Theatre Center Artistic Director Sarah Rasmussen and Executive Director Martin Miller today announced a new addition to the 2023/24 Theatre Series—the Tony Award-winning, Motown-infused musical, Dreamgirls, in co-production with Goodspeed Musicals.
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