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Dreamgirls Broadway Replacement Cast


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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. It was nominated for thirteen Tony more...

Original
Replacement
Richie Abanes Headshot
Richie Abanes
Dave (u/s)
Ensemble
Little Albert & The Tru-Tones
One of "Little Albert and the Tru-Tones"
One of "The Five Tuxedoes"
One of "The James Early Band"
The Five Tuxedos
The James Early Band
Cheryl Alexander Headshot
Cheryl Alexander
Lorrell Robinson
Khandi Alexander Headshot
Khandi Alexander
Charlene
Hinton Battle Headshot
Hinton Battle
James Thunder Early

Hinton Battle, a celebrated actor and choreographer, starred in the original Broadway production of Dreamgirls, further solidifying his illustrious career that includes three Tony Awards and notable roles in productions such as Sophisticated Ladies and Miss Saigon. more...
Ethel Beatty Headshot
Ethel Beatty
Deena Jones (u/s)
Ensemble
Joanne
Les Style
Michelle Morris
The Stepp Sisters
(Applause Books)
Susan Beaubian Headshot
Susan Beaubian
Deena Jones (u/s)
Lorrell Robinson (u/s)
Michelle Morris (u/s)
One of "Les Style"
One of "The Stepp Sisters"
Ray Benson Headshot
Ray Benson
Dave & The Sweethearts
Ensemble
Film Executive
Mary Denise Bentley Headshot
Mary Denise Bentley
Ensemble
Les Style
One of "Les Style"
Charles Bernard Headshot
Charles Bernard
Performer
Tiny Joe Dixon (u/s)
(Applause Books)
Paul Binotto Headshot
Paul Binotto
Film Executive
Brenda Braxton Headshot
Brenda Braxton
Charlene
One of "Les Style"
Linda Leilani Brown Headshot
Linda Leilani Brown
Deena Jones
Barry Bruce Headshot
Barry Bruce
Ensemble
Little Albert & The Tru-Tones
One of "Little Albert and the Tru-Tones"
One of "The Five Tuxedoes"
One of "The James Early Band"
The James Early Band
Deborah Burrell Headshot
Deborah Burrell
Deena Jones
Teresa Burrell Headshot
Teresa Burrell
Lorrell Robinson
Terry Burrell Headshot
Terry Burrell
Lorrell Robinson
Michelle Morris
One of "The Stepp Sisters"
The Stepp Sisters
Lawrence Clayton Headshot
Lawrence Clayton
C.C. White

Lawrence Clayton made his Broadway debut in Dreamgirls in 1981, stepping into the role of C.C. White, and later reprised this role in both the first and second National Tours of the production in 1983 and 1985. more...
Bobby Daye Headshot
Bobby Daye
Ensemble
Little Albert & The Tru-Tones
One of "Little Albert and the Tru-Tones"
One of "The Five Tuxedoes"
One of "The James Early Band"
The Five Tuxedos
The James Early Band
Cleavant Derricks Headshot
Cleavant Derricks
James Thunder Early
Clinton Derricks-Carroll Headshot
Clinton Derricks-Carroll
James Thunder Early
Loretta Devine Headshot
Loretta Devine
Lorrell Robinson
Frank di Filia Headshot
Frank di Filia
Frank (u/s)
(Applause Books)
Tony Franklin Headshot
Tony Franklin
C.C. White
Curtis Taylor, Jr. (u/s)
James Thunder Early (u/s)
(Applause Books)
David Alan Grier Headshot
David Alan Grier
James Thunder Early

David Alan Grier starred as James "Thunder" Early in the hit Broadway musical Dreamgirls, showcasing his versatile talent in a role that contributed to the show's success more...
Ben Harney Headshot
Ben Harney
Curtis Taylor, Jr.
Nina Hennessey Headshot
Nina Hennessey
Dave & The Sweethearts
Ensemble
One of "The Sweethearts"
Jennifer Holliday Headshot
Jennifer Holliday
Effie Melody White
Rhetta Hughes Headshot
Rhetta Hughes
Ensemble
Les Style
The Stepp Sisters
Carol Logen Headshot
Carol Logen
Dave & The Sweethearts
Ensemble
Julia McGirt Headshot
Julia McGirt
Edna Burke
Effie Melody White
Ensemble
Hal Miller Headshot
Hal Miller
Dave (u/s)
Ensemble
Film Executive
Frank (u/s)
Jerry (u/s)
The James Early Band
(Applause Books)
Tim Millett Headshot
Tim Millett
Ensemble
One of "The James Early Band"
The James Early Band
Milton Craig Nealy Headshot
Milton Craig Nealy
Mr. Morgan (u/s)
The M.C. (u/s)
(Applause Books)
Wellington Perkins Headshot
Wellington Perkins
C.C. White
Mr. Morgan (u/s)
The M.C. (u/s)
Wayne
Richard Poole Headshot
Richard Poole
Dave
Dave & The Sweethearts
Ensemble
Film Executive
Brenda Pressley Headshot
Brenda Pressley
Deena Jones (u/s)
Effie Melody White (u/s)
Ensemble
Les Style
Michelle Morris
The Stepp Sisters
Sheryl Lee Ralph Headshot
Sheryl Lee Ralph
Deena Jones
Eric Riley Headshot
Eric Riley
Ensemble
Film Executive
Little Albert & The Tru-Tones
One of "Little Albert and the Tru-Tones"
One of "The Five Tuxedoes"
One of "The James Early Band"
The Five Tuxedos
The James Early Band
Wayne
(Applause Books)
Roz Ryan Headshot
Roz Ryan
Edna Burke
Effie Melody White
Graciela Simpson Headshot
Graciela Simpson
Ensemble
Les Style
One of "The Stepp Sisters"
The Stepp Sisters
Ronald
Ronald "Smokey" Stevens
Ensemble
M.C./Mr. Morgan
Marty (u/s)
Mr. Morgan
One of "The Five Tuxedoes"
The Five Tuxedos
The M.C.
Lee Summers Headshot
Lee Summers
Marty (u/s)
Mr. Morgan
The M.C.
Leon Summers, Jr. Headshot
Leon Summers, Jr.
Ensemble
M.C./Mr. Morgan
The Five Tuxedos
Gina Taylor Headshot
Gina Taylor
Ensemble
Les Style
One of "The Stepp Sisters"
The Stepp Sisters
Johnnie Teamer Headshot
Johnnie Teamer
Ensemble
Joanne
Les Style
Weyman Thompson Headshot
Weyman Thompson
Curtis Taylor, Jr.
Vanessa Townsell Headshot
Vanessa Townsell
Effie Melody White
Bud Vest Headshot
Bud Vest
Ensemble
Frank
Buddy Vest Headshot
Buddy Vest
Ensemble
Frank
The Five Tuxedos
Sean Walker Headshot
Sean Walker
Ensemble
Little Albert & The Tru-Tones
One of "Little Albert and the Tru-Tones"
One of "The James Early Band"
The James Early Band
David Warren Gibson Headshot
David Warren Gibson
Ensemble
Film Executive
Frank (u/s)
(Applause Books)
Lillias White Headshot
Lillias White
Effie Melody White (u/s)
(Applause Books)
Lillias White, who graced the stage in Dreamgirls, is a celebrated performer with a Tony Award for her role in The Life and has showcased her talent in numerous Broadway productions, including a recent appearance in Chicago as Matron "Mama" Morton. more...

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Awards and Nominations


1982 Drama Desk Awards
Outstanding Actress in a Musical: Jennifer Holliday won.
Outstanding Actress in a Musical: Sheryl Lee Ralph was nominated but did not win.
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical: Cleavant Derricks won.

1982 Tony Awards
Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical: Obba Babatunde was nominated but did not win.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical: Ben Harney won.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical: Jennifer Holliday won.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical: Sheryl Lee Ralph was nominated but did not win.

Production Team

Theoni V. Aldredge Costume Designer
Ted Azar Hair Designer
Michael Bennett Director
Choreographer
Otts Munderloh Sound Designer
Tharon Musser Lighting Designer
Michael Peters Choreographer
(Co-Choreographer)
Yolanda Segovia Musical Director
Robin Wagner Scenic Designer
Harold Wheeler Orchestrator
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