Henry Krieger News

The White Plains Performing Arts Center (WPPAC) is proud to announce its upcoming Mainstage production of SIDE SHOW, playing April 22 – May 8. From the composer of Dreamgirls comes a remarkable, true story of famed entertainers and twins, Violet and Daisy Hilton, who became famous during the 1930’s. SIDE SHOW is a moving portrait of two women whose bond brings them the spectacle of fame, but denies them true love and acceptance.

The Phoenix Theatre Company's seasonwill kick off in August and includes nine shows ranging from classic musicals like A Chorus Line and family favorites like Cinderella to the world-premiere of Tiananmen.

Theatre Harrisburg, one of the oldest community theatres in the United States, has announced its 2022-2023 season.

Virginia Stage Company and Norfolk State University Theatre Company join forces again to present the Tony, Grammy, and Drama Desk Award-Winning musical Dreamgirls at The Historic Wells Theatre (108 E. Tazewell Street, Norfolk VA) from April 13th to May 1st, 2022.

The Omaha Community Playhouse (OCP) has announced the titles to be produced during their 98th season, which will run from August 2022 through June 2023.

Aurora's Paramount Theatre enters its second decade with today's announcement of the four blockbuster musicals on tap for its 2022-23 Broadway Series.

Thanks to the 2006 film starring Jennifer Hudson and Beyonce, a lot of people are familiar with the story of the Broadway hit musical DREAMGIRLS. Its story of the rise of a talented group of young women – first as contest winners, then backup singers, then fame and success on their own - resonates with audiences who love to cheer for the success of an underdog (and sometimes the drama that comes along with the journey to the top). Throw in some blockbuster songs, beautiful costumes, and a talented cast to tell the story and you have stage magic. And that is just what audiences will get with the latest production of DREAMGIRLS at the Titusville Playhouse in Titusville, FL – a visually stunning, vocally thrilling, and powerful production of this classic musical.

Today's top stories include casting for The Color Purple film adaptation! The movie will be led by Fantasia Barrino and Danielle Brooks in the roles of Celie and Sofia. Plus, the long-awaited musical adaptation of the NBC TV show Smash is planning to have a workshop this summer, and the film adaptation of 13: The Musical is coming to Netflix this year!

New York City Center just kicked off the 2022 Encores! Season with The Tap Dance Kid, featuring music by Henry Krieger, lyrics by Robert Lorick, and a book by Charles Blackwell. Directed by Tony Award-winner Kenny Leon (A Raisin in the Sun), the production also includes new tap sequences by choreographer Jared Grimes (After Midnight) and a concert adaptation by Lydia Diamond (Stick Fly). Broadway's Joseph Joubert (Caroline or Change) will guest music direct The Tap Dance Kid.

New York City Center just kicked off the 2022 Encores! Season with The Tap Dance Kid, featuring music by Henry Krieger, lyrics by Robert Lorick, and a book by Charles Blackwell. Directed by Tony Award-winner Kenny Leon (A Raisin in the Sun), the production also includes new tap sequences by choreographer Jared Grimes (After Midnight) and a concert adaptation by Lydia Diamond (Stick Fly). Broadway's Joseph Joubert (Caroline or Change) will guest music direct The Tap Dance Kid.

New York City Center just kicked off the 2022 Encores! Season with The Tap Dance Kid, featuring music by Henry Krieger, lyrics by Robert Lorick, and a book by Charles Blackwell.

New York City Center will soon kick off the 2022 Encores! Season on February 2 - 6 with The Tap Dance Kid, featuring music by Henry Krieger, lyrics by Robert Lorick, and a book by Charles Blackwell. Directed by Tony Award-winner Kenny Leon (A Raisin in the Sun), the production also includes new tap sequences by choreographer Jared Grimes (After Midnight) and a concert adaptation by Lydia Diamond (Stick Fly). Broadway's Joseph Joubert (Caroline or Change) will guest music direct The Tap Dance Kid.

Dreamgirls stars Nicole Raquel Dennis as Effie White with Sharlene Hector performing the role at certain performances. Milton Keynes actress Natalie Kassanga will play the role of Deena Jones at Milton Keynes Theatre, her hometown venue.

New York City Center today announced additional casting for the 2022 Encores! Season as part of the full calendar of events for City Center’s 2021 – 2022 Season. The productions launch Lear deBessonet’s first season as Encores! Artistic Director, alongside Encores! Music Director Rob Berman and Encores! Producing Creative Director Clint Ramos.

Let’s stipulate that book writer and lyricist Tom Eyen and composer Henry Krieger were not Sondheim. What they gave us in Dreamgirls was serviceable, not brilliant, the result of a long development process largely aimed at repairing holes in the melodrama. The result: the company that puts on the show has a heavy lift indeed. But I have to say that ArtsCentric proves to have very strong arms.

Encores! continues this season with The Tap Dance Kid and the show is looking for... a tap dancing kid. Virtual auditions are being accepted through November 10 for Willie, a black 10 year-old. The actor must be 12 years old or older, fully vaccinated, with an 'unchanged voice.'

In today’s society, when someone is born with a birth defect, has an unusual look or is simply unlike most others, we use our understanding of science and a myriad of protections and laws to ensure those individuals receive equal treatment. They have the opportunity (and right) to live their life in the same way as those born without disability or disfigurement. But that has not always been the case. People born in eras past with even minor physical or mental deformities were labeled “freaks” and consigned to live in the shadows, or in many cases, in the spotlight of the circus side show. But underneath the bearded lady’s beard or the wolf boy’s “fur” was always a living, breathing human being, with real emotions, needs, and dreams. And many of their stories have been lost to history. But not so for the story of the Hilton sisters, as told in Bill Russell and Henry Krieger’s musical SIDE SHOW, currently playing at The Henegar Center in Melbourne, FL.

'Dreamgirls' follows the story of a young female singing trio from Chicago called 'The Dreams' who become music superstars. The show is based on the show business aspirations and successes of R&B acts such as The Supremes, The Shirelles, James Brown, Jackie Wilson, and others.

The full cast has been released for Dreamgirls, as it embarks on its first ever tour of the UK, opening at the Liverpool Empire Theatre this December before visiting cities right across the country throughout 2022 and into 2023.

Fame comes and goes. Dreams live forever. The Dreams, an all-girl trio of soul singers, rise to the top of the pop charts and become superstars. But can they survive the cold, competitive world of show business?