The Muny’s fabulous production of Dreamgirls is a welcome reminder of the show’s brilliance.
The 1981 musical is about three young Black women who dream of becoming stars in an R&B trio. At first, they called themselves The Dreamettes, then just The Dreams. Their story reflects the actual history of The Supremes.
After the group becomes a top act in R&B, its solidarity is threatened when the men who run their lives decide to change the trio’s lead singer to increase its appeal as a pop group. Effie, the plus-size singer with the finest voice is replaced by the more conventionally attractive Deena.
While telling a riveting story about believably drawn characters, Tom Eyen’s book frankly explores the sexism, racism, and exploitation in the music industry in the 1960s and 70s. With lyrics by Eyen and music by Henry Krieger, the songs advance the plot with fiery drama in period styles.
Tiffany Mann makes the role of Effie completely her own. Her characterization is captivating, and her singing is spectacular. She generates showstopping power in “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” and is exceptionally moving in Effie’s gentler numbers.
Aisha Jackson crucially invests Deena with the mainstream appeal that propels The Dreams onto the pop charts. The backstage interaction of the Dreams is totally convincing in the portrayals by Mann, Jackson, Courtnee Carter as Lorrell, and Natalie Kaye Clater as Michelle, Effie’s eventual replacement. All The Dreams capture the pathos of the women’s struggle with controlling men.
Charl Brown gives Curtis Taylor, Jr. the self-serving ambition that makes him both effective and toxic as The Dreams’ manager. Nick Rashad Burroughs evinces the irrepressible flair of James “Jimmy” Thunder Early, an R&B star who cannot adapt to changing times.
The antithesis of the conniving Curtis is Marty, who starts out as Jimmy’s manager and ends up as Effie’s. Ron Himes’s Marty is unflinchingly tough, honest, and loyal. As C.C. White, Effie’s brother, Aramie Payton is instantly likable but ill-equipped to stand up to Curtis’s machinations.
The musical numbers are filled with life thanks to the wonderful choreography by Lesia Kaye, the entire cast’s excellent singing and dancing, and the stellar contributions of The Muny orchestra under music Director Anne Shuttlesworth.
Director Robert Clater’s invests the show with irresistible drive and shrewdly exploits the impressive designs by Edward E. Haynes, Jr. (set) and Elaine J. McCarthy (video). The flexibility of the set and video, for example, allows the point of view to be quickly changed from backstage to onstage.
The show’s spectacle gets a huge boost from Leon Dobkowski’s costumes, Kelley Jordan’s wigs, Rob Denton’s lighting, and John Shivers and David Patridge’s sound.
Dreamgirls continues through July 3 at The Muny in Forest Park.
—Gerry Kowarsky
Photo © Phillip Hamer Photography
From the left, Courtnee Carter (Lorrell), Tiffany Mann (Effie), Aisha Jackson (Deena), Natalie Kaye Clater (Michelle) in the Dreamgirls’ final performance.
