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Dreamgirls Revival

Closing: November 29, 1987

Dreamgirls - 1987 Broadway History , Info & More


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.


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Theater Stories: The Many Stars of CHICAGO, the CHARLIE BROWN Revival & More About the Ambassador Theatre!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 24, 2021


Learn all about the Ambassador Theater's best known shows including Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk and You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, plus the many stars to have graced the stage in Chicago and much more!

Nobody Can Swing Like Them! Meet the Full Cast of BANDSTAND, Opening Tonight on Broadway
by Meet the Cast - Apr 26, 2017


The brand new musical Bandstand, directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Andy Blankenbuehler (Hamilton) with music by Richard Oberacker and a book and lyrics by Robert Taylor and Richard Oberacker, opens tonight, April 26, at The Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre (242 West 45 Street). Scroll down to get to know the company before tonight's opening bows!

Swing-Fueled Cast, Creative Team Complete for Broadway's BANDSTAND
by BWW News Desk - Jan 13, 2017


The producers of the new musical Bandstand, directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Andy Blankenbuehler (Hamilton) and featuring music by Richard Oberacker and a book and lyrics by Robert Taylor and Richard Oberacker, have just announced compete casting and an award-winning design team.

Kyle Selig, Ron Bohmer, Kerry O'Malley and More to Look to the Stars in OCTOBER SKY at The Old Globe; Cast, Creatives Set!
by BWW News Desk - Jul 29, 2016


The Old Globe today announced the cast and creative team of the West Coast premiere of OCTOBER SKY, which will blast off the Globe's 2016-2017 Season with a tale of boys, rockets, and big dreams.

They're Here! Meet the Cast of THE COLOR PURPLE, Opening Tonight on Broadway
by Meet the Cast - Dec 10, 2015


The new Broadway revival of THE COLOR PURPLE opens tonight, December 10, at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre (242 W 45th Street). Scroll down to learn more about the company and watch highlights from the show!

Billy Porter's WHILE I YET LIVE Begins Previews Tonight
by BWW News Desk - Sep 24, 2014


Primary Stages in association with Susan Dietz (Fela!, Mothers and Sons), presents the world premiere of While I Yet Live by the Tony-winning star of Kinky Boots and Angels in America, Billy Porter, and directed by Tony Award nominee Sheryl Kaller (Mothers and Sons, Next Fall, Adrift in Macao). While I Yet Live plays a limited, six-week engagement, tonight, September 24, through October 31 at Primary Stages at The Duke on 42nd Street - a NEW 42ND STREET project (229 West 42nd Street). Opening night is Sunday, October 12 at 5PM.

UPDATE: Billy Porter's WHILE I YET LIVE Delays Previews Until Sept 24 Due to 'Technical Issues'
by Tyler Peterson - Sep 22, 2014


Primary Stages has announced that the world premiere of While I Yet Live will begin performances on Wednesday, September 24 at 7PM. Producers have decided to delay the start of previews due to technical issues.

Playhouse on Park Presents HIGGINS IN HARLEM, Now thru 3/23
by BWW News Desk - Mar 5, 2014


Higgins in Harlem, a modern reimagining of George Bernard Shaw's social commentary masterpiece, Pygmalion, which was the basis for the musical My Fair Lady, makes its world-premiere at Playhouse on Park. This comedic and endearing classic is reset in Harlem in 1938, during the Harlem Renaissance, a time when the affluent Black society of Sugar Hill found itself at odds with the uneducated Blacks of Harlem struggling through the Great Depression. With the energy of the Jazz Age and an entirely African American cast, Higgins in Harlem promises to be a fresh and entertaining twist on a classic.

Playhouse on Park to Present HIGGINS IN HARLEM, 3/5-23
by Tyler Peterson - Feb 14, 2014


Higgins in Harlem, a modern reimagining of George Bernard Shaw's social commentary masterpiece, Pygmalion, which was the basis for the musical My Fair Lady, makes its world-premiere at Playhouse on Park. This comedic and endearing classic is reset in Harlem in 1938, during the Harlem Renaissance, a time when the affluent Black society of Sugar Hill found itself at odds with the uneducated Blacks of Harlem struggling through the Great Depression. With the energy of the Jazz Age and an entirely African American cast, Higgins in Harlem promises to be a fresh and entertaining twist on a classic.

Dreamgirls History

Other Productions of Dreamgirls

1981   Broadway Original Broadway Production
Broadway
1983   US Tour 1st National Tour
US Tour
1985   US Tour 2nd National Tour
US Tour
1987   Broadway Return Engagement [Broadway]
Broadway
1995   Milburn, NJ (Regional) Paper Mill Production
Milburn, NJ (Regional)
2001   Broadway New York Concert
Broadway
2004   US Tour Touring Revival
US Tour
2005   Philadelphia, PA (Regional) Prince Music Theatre Revival
Philadelphia, PA (Regional)
2009   US Tour Touring Revival
US Tour
2016   West End West End Premiere Production
West End
2026   Broadway
Broadway
Broadway Broadway Revival
Broadway

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