Dreamgirls Dallas Theater Center
June 10-July24
Dallas Theater Center is bringing a real treat to town with the opening of award-winning hit musical “Dreamgirls” June 10-July 24. Directed by Joel Ferrell, the musical opens with a Pay-What-You-Can performance Friday, June 10. Tickets to “Dreamgirls” are on sale now at www.DallasTheaterCenter.org or by phone at (214) 880-0202.
“Throughout this season at Dallas Theater Center, we have seen important pieces of American history, both social and political, come together on our stage,” said Artistic Director Kevin Moriarty. “There is no way you can talk about the history of America without talking about American popular music; including R&B, gospel and soul. Motown in the 20th century was transformative, not just in how we understood music but in how we understood our American society and the African American experience. I’m so excited to see ‘Dreamgirls’ come to life under the direction of our associate artistic director, Joel Ferrell, and the choreography of our valued collaborator, Rickey Tripp.”
With book and lyrics by Tom Eyer, music by Henry Krieger and choreography by Rickey Tripp, “Dreamgirls” has a story as glitzy as the sequins onstage. It’s the 1960’s music scene when young women sang their way to musical prominence in a man’s world. Set in the Motown era that brought us Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross—and ultimately Destiny’s Child and Beyoncé—“Dreamgirls” dazzles with timeless appeal.
“Dreamgirls brings to life the passion and joy of Motown, and the music that changed the world,” explained Ferrell. “Against a back drop of the racial unrest and political turmoil of the ‘60s and ‘70s, Motown artists were creating the soundtrack of the late 20th century. Behind the scenes there is love and betrayal, hits and flops, laughter and chaos; but onstage nothing but incredible music, brilliant dancing and legendary performances. In this fictional account of the rise of superstars, Michael Bennett and his collaborators delivered us a fast paced thrill-ride of a show. I have loved this musical since seeing it on Broadway in 1982 and know Dallas Theater Center audiences are going to be dancin’ in the streets as they leave the theater.”
Starring as the talented trio is Alexis Sims as Deena Jones, Marisha Wallace as Effie White and Kristen Bond as Lorrell. Also featured are Derrick Davis as Curtis Taylor Jr., Traci Elaine Lee as Michelle, Eric Lajuan Summers as James Thunder Early and Clinton Greenspan as C.C. White.
Brierley Resident Acting Company members Hassan El-Amin will play Marty, and Alex Organ will be in the Male Ensemble.
Fellow actors in the Male Ensemble are Christopher Figaro Jackson, Joshua Keith, Walter Lee, Willie Smith III, Jay Staten, Jeremy Davis, Gabriel Lawson and Micah Ndiba. The Female Ensemble includes Tiana Kaye Johnson, Ebony Marshall-Oliver, Ayanna Edwards and Gabrielle Reyes.
Choreographer Tripp will bring musical numbers to life alongside music director Michael O. Mitchell. Returning to Dallas Theater Center is set designer Bob Lavallee, costume designer Karen Perry, sound designer Aria Music Design, lighting designer Lap Chi Chu and wig designer J. Jared Janas.
Free to ticket holders, DTC’s Come Early sponsored by Wells Fargo will take place one hour before every performance and DTC’s Stay Late presented by Dr Pepper Snapple Group will take place after each performance.
