Photo Flash: First Look at Nova Y. Payton, Crystal Joy, Cedric Neal and More in Signature's DREAMGIRLS

Signature Theatre presents the Tony Award®-winning musical Dreamgirls, playing in the MAX Theatre now running through January 6, 2013. Directed and choreographed by Associate Artistic Director Matthew Gardiner (Xanadu, Really Really), this much-loved show captures the heart and hopes of a soulful female singing trio as they rise to international fame.  BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production below.

Nova Y. Payton (Hairspray) stars as Effie White, the talented and headstrong lead singer of The Dreams. She is joined by Shayla Simmons (Deena Jones) and Crystal Joy (Lorrell Robinson). David Bazemore plays songwriter C.C. White, and Sydney James Harcourt plays Curtis Taylor, Jr., the band’s manager. Cedric Neal plays R&B star James “Thunder” Early. Rounding out the cast are Kara-Tameika Watkins (Michelle Morris), Bus Howard (Marty), and Sean Maurice Lynch (Wayne).

Performances run Tuesday through Sunday evenings, with matinees on Saturday and Sunday. There will be no performance on Thanksgiving Day. Tickets are now on sale and start at $40. Single tickets are available in person at the Signature Box Office at 4200 Campbell Avenue in Shirlington, or by calling Ticketmaster at (703) 573-SEAT. Student discount tickets are $30 and must be purchased the week of the performance.  For more information, visit: http://www.signature-theatre.org/shows/dreamgirls

Photo Credit: Chris Mueller

Nova Y. Payton

Nova Y. Payton

Shayla Simmons, Kara-Tameika Watins and Crystal Joy

Shayla Simmons

Shayla Simmons, Nova Y. Payton and Crystal Joy

Crystal Joy

Shayla Simmons, Nova Y. Payton and Crystal Joy

Shayla Simmons, Nova Y. Payton and Crystal Joy

Nova Y. Payton and David Bazemore

Sydney James Harcourt

Cedric Neal

Bus Howard

Cedric Neal and Bus Howard

Cedric Neal

Nickolas Vaughan