Dreamgirls
- Full Length Musical, Drama, 1960s, 1970s
- 4M, 4F
- ISBN: TW-8922
A sweeping and inspirational journey through 20th century American pop music, Dreamgirls chronicles one Motown group's rise from obscurity to superstardom.
Description
- Full Length Musical
- Drama
- 120 minutes
- Time Period: 1960s, 1970s
- Target Audience: Appropriate for all audiences
- Set Requirements: Unit Set/Multiple Settings
- Cautions: Mild Adult Themes
- Orchestra Size: Medium
- Performance Group:
- High School/Secondary, College Theatre / Student, Community Theatre, Professional Theatre
- Accolades:
- Winner! Six Tony Awards including Best Book (1982)
Winner! Four Drama Desk Awards (1982)
Winner! Theatre World Award for Jennifer Holliday (1982)
“Dreamgirls is a show about a time in American musical history when rhythm and blues blended with other styles of popular music creating a new American sound. Act One is set in the fabulous sixties – a time when we were still screaming at Elvis and listening to the Beatles, but were dancing to the new beat of countless girl and boy groups like The Supremes, The Marvelettes, The Temptations and The Shirelles. Dreamgirls is not just about the singing and the dancing and the performing. The play is also about the behind-the-scenes reality of the entertainment industry – the business part of show business that made possible this cultural phenomenon. Act Two shows the creation and the arrival of disco – though the word is never used in the script. The subject matter of this play deals with a musical contribution to America of such importance that only now – decades later – are we beginning to understand.” – Michael Bennett
REVIEWS:
"A show that strikes with the speed and heat of lightning."
Frank Rich, The New York Times
"An enduring, crowd-rousing entertainment with a terrific pastiche score."
Ben Brantley, The New York Times
"Sensational... emotionally infectious... bursts with joy, desire and ferocious passion."
Johnny Oleksinski, New York Post
"Dreamgirls is a musical full of sparkle... a tale of transformation: from naïve hopefuls into jaded superstars, from raw R&B into the disco era, from success to failure, and then back again."
Lyndsey Winship, The Guardian
"Scintillating songs by Henry Krieger and Eyen... crackling with energy and momentum from one song and dance number to the next."
Demetrious Matheou, The Hollywood Reporter
"When Broadway history is being made, you can feel it. What you feel is a seismic emotional jolt that sends the audience, as one, right out of its wits. While such moments are uncommonly rare these days, I'm here to report that one popped up at the Imperial last night. Broadway history was made at the end of the first act of Michael Bennett's beautiful and heartbreaking new musical, Dreamgirls."
Frank Rich, The New York Times
Characters
- Casting: 4M, 4F
- Casting Attributes: Strong Role for Leading Woman (Star Vehicle), Role(s) for Black Actor(s)
- Casting Notes: The original Broadway production had a cast of 32 performers, including chorus. Some doubling was employed in the minor parts.
- Chorus Size: Large
EFFIE MELODY WHITE — lead singer of the Dreamettes
DEENA JONES — backup singer of the Dreamettes; later lead singer
LORRELL ROBINSON — backup singer of the Dreamettes
MICHELLE MORRIS — backup singer; replacement for Effie
JIMMY (JAMES THUNDER) EARLY — principal soul singer
C.C. (CLARENCE CONRAD) WHITE — composer and brother of Effie
CURTIS TAYLOR, JR. — Cadillac dealer and manager of the Dreams
MARTY — theatrical agent for J.T. Early
Supporting
STEPP SISTERS — four girl singers; non-speaking
CHARLENE — backup singer for J.T. Early
JOANN — backup singer for J.T. Early
M.C. — master of ceremonies, Apollo Theatre
TINY JOE DIXON — winning talent contest singer; non-speaking
LITTLE ALBERT & THE TRU-TONES — male quintet; non-speaking
BAND (THE JAMES EARLY BAND) — six male singers; non-speaking
WAYNE — record producer/director
DAVE — solo tenor; non-speaking
SWEETHEARTS — two girl backup singers; non-speaking
FRANK — press agent
JERRY NORMAN — nightclub owner
CARL — nightclub pianist; non-speaking
FIVE TUXEDOS — male quintet; non-speaking
LES STYLES — girls’ backup quartet; non-speaking
EDNA BURKE — applause meter reader; non-speaking
DWIGHT — TV studio director
STAGE MANAGER — TV studio
BRIAN — pit orchestra drummer; non-speaking
MR. MORGAN — Effie’s lawyer
SECURITY GUARD — backstage, Chicago
Ensemble
CHORUS MEN & WOMEN
FANS
REPORTERS
STAGEHANDS
PARTY GUESTS
PHOTOGRAPHERS
FILM EXECUTIVES
Available Material
| Name | Price |
|---|---|
|
Perusal Material
Shipped immediately. This is optional.
Order Now
1 x Piano Conductor's Score (Four Volume Set) |
$24.00 |
|
Rehearsal Material
Shipped a minimum of 3 months before the last performance. This must be hired as a condition of the License to produce this show.
33 x Libretto-Chorus Vocal Books |
$550.00 +$135.00/pm |
|
Orchestral Material
Shipped a minimum of 1 month before the last performance. This is optional.
1 Reed I: Alto Saxophone, Piccolo & Flute |
$350.00 +$135.00/pm |
