Virginia Rep announces that beginning July 14, Courtney Jamison will replace Zuri Washington in the role of Deena in the current production of Dreamgirls. Jamison opened the show in the ensemble and as the understudy for Washington.
Nearly 20 years ago Broadway fell in love with the spellbinding Emily Skinner and Alice Ripley as Daisy and Violet Hilton; conjoined twins and unlikely starlets in the moody and romantic original 1997 production of SIDE SHOW by Bill Russell and Dreamgirls composer Henry Krieger, directed by Robert Longbottom. Skinner and Ripley have enjoyed Broadway success and acclaim, each in their own right, as well as thriving concert and recording careers. The ladies will talk work, play, friendship, family and the phenomenon that led to their remarkable joint Tony Nomination.
Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater is proud to announce the cast for the world premiere of UNEXPECTED JOY: Sally Mayes, Lacretta, Michele Duffy, and Charity Farrell.
Award-winning non-for-profit Broadway Sings for Pride (www.BroadwaySingsForPride.com) held their 6th annual PRIDE benefit concert on Monday, June 20, 2016. To start the night, Daniel Quadrino, from Broadway's Wicked and Newsies, sang 'Imagine' to reflect on the tragedy that happened in Orlando. He was joined onstage by members of the New York community, to echo the sentiment that New York stands behind Orlando and that art can be used to inspire and change minds. Scroll down for a video of the performance!
Today in 1987, the FIRST Broadway revival of Dreamgirls opened at the Ambassador Theatre, where it ran for 177 performances. Dreamgirls features music by Henry Krieger and lyrics and book by Tom Eyen. Based upon the show business aspirations and successes of R&B acts such as The Supremes, The Shirelles, James Brown, Jackie Wilson, and others, the musical follows the story of a young female singing trio from Chicago, Illinois called 'The Dreams', who become music superstars. The musical opened on December 20, 1981 at the Imperial Theatre, and was nominated for thirteen Tony Awards, including the Tony Award for Best Musical, and won six. It was later adapted into a motion picture from DreamWorks and Paramount Pictures in 2006. The 1987 cast featured Lillias White as 'Effie.'
Broadway and Symphony Pop Siren N'Kenge joins the All Star Lineup of Performers for this year's PRIDEFEST! Singing Broadway and Pop Hits from 3:00-3:30PM, N'Kenge is thrilled to be included in the celebration of LGBT Pride! The Stage is located on Hudson Street between 13th Street and 14th Street. N'Kenge was recently seen performing last week with BeBe Neuwirth, Henry Krieger, Frenchie Davis and more in the Broadway Sings For Pride Ovation Gala held at the JCC Manhattan to a sold out show.
The world premiere of Unexpected Joy, opening July 21 at Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater, will be directed by Lynne Taylor Corbett. Musical Direction is by Gillian Berkowitz. This world premiere by Bill Russell and Janet Hood is produced in association with Jim Kierstead, Linda & Craig Wielkotz, and Gabby Hanna & Marcy Feller. Casting is by Stephen DeAngelis. Unexpected Joy opens July 21, running Wednesdays-Mondays through August 20.
Prior to my attendance at Dallas Theater Center's DREAMGIRLS this weekend, my familiarity with the show was based on the 2006 motion picture and the 2001 Actors Fund concert recording (not to mention the Tony Awards clip featuring Jennifer Holliday). Basically knowing only the film, I had often considered how smoothly the stage show could handle the onstage to backstage transitions, given the fast-paced musical score it followed. And, although the DTC production offers a slick, seamless interpretation of the piece, I'm afraid I left the theatre with the impression that the (gasp) movie adaptation was superior to the stage version. That being said, there are still many reasons to head to the Wyly to see this production.
In keeping with its mission to provide an alternative theater experience not found elsewhere in the region, and to advance and preserve the art of the theater for the education and appreciation of the public, Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater proudly presents the world premiere of Unexpected Joy. This world premiere by Bill Russell and Janet Hood is produced in association with Jim Kierstead, Linda & Craig Wielkotz, and Gabby Hanna & Marcy Feller. Casting is by Stephen DeAngelis. Unexpected Joy opens July 21, running Wednesdays-Mondays through August 20.
One Eyed Man Productions in association with Hayes Theatre Co has announced the Australian premiere of the Tony Award-nominated Broadway musical SIDE SHOW, due to play a strictly limited four-week season at Hayes Theatre Co from September 23. This stunning tale of sisterhood from the composer of Dreamgirls is based on the remarkable real-life story of conjoined twins Daisy and Violet Hilton and their transition from 'circus freaks' to megastars.
Virginia Repertory Theatre announces the opening of Dreamgirls on June 24 at the Sara Belle and Neil November Theatre, 114 West Broad Street. The production runs through August 7, 2016. With music by Henry Krieger and lyrics and book by Tom Eyen, this megawatt Broadway crowd-pleaser electrifies the stage with Motown dreams and powerhouse voices. Loosely based on Diana Ross and the Supremes, the story follows the turbo-charged rise to fame of the Dreams.
Sonia Friedman Productions is delighted to announce further casting for the long-awaited UK premiere of Dreamgirls which will have preview performances at the Savoy Theatre from 19 November and Opening Night on Wednesday 14 December 2016.
According to The Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye, Liisi LaFontaine and stage vet Ibinabo Jack will join Amber Riley in the upcoming West End production of DREAM GIRLS. LaFontaine will take on the role of Deena Jones, with Jack playing Lorrell Robinson. As previously announced, Riley has been tapped to star as Effie White.
On Monday, June 20, 2016, non for profit BROADWAY SINGS FOR PRIDE will premiere their 6th anniversary benefit concert in New York City at the JCC Manhattan! This milestone event will be filled with singing (from pop to Broadway), stories, special celebrity guests and more! The show will honor the Tyler Clementi Foundation and AIDS pioneer and activist Ruth Coker Burks. Broadway Sings for Pride, is a multiple award-wining is a non-for-profit organization that brings together Broadway talent, activists and celebrities to educate the public, raise awareness of the needs of LGBTQ youth, and support these young people so that they may reach their full potential.
On Monday, June 20, 2016, non for profit BROADWAY SINGS FOR PRIDE will premiere their 6th anniversary benefit concert in New York City at the JCC Manhattan! This milestone event will be filled with singing (from pop to Broadway), stories, special celebrity guests and more! The show will honor the Tyler Clementi Foundation and AIDS pioneer and activist Ruth Coker Burks. Broadway Sings for Pride, is a multiple award-wining is a non-for-profit organization that brings together Broadway talent, activists and celebrities to educate the public, raise awareness of the needs of LGBTQ youth, and support these young people so that they may reach their full potential.
Dallas Theater Center announced today complete details for the award-winning hit musical Dreamgirls. This modern-day classic is led by director and DTC Associate Artistic Director Joel Ferrell. Dreamgirls will begin with a Pay-What-You-Can performance on Friday, June 10 and will run through Sunday, July 24. Press Night will be Friday, June 17 at 8 p.m. Tickets to Dreamgirls are on sale now at www.DallasTheaterCenter.org and by phone at (214) 880-0202.
First casting is announced today for Broadway musical Side Show, which receives its UK premiere at Southwark Playhouse. Louise Dearman and Laura Pitt-Pulford will play conjoined twins Daisy and Violet Hilton in the brand new production, which runs October 21 to December 3, with a press night on October 26.