En Vogue Star, Massey, Etc. Join Holliday in GA Dreamgirls

Atlanta's Theater of the Stars will present the 25th Anniversary production of Dreamgirls, with Jennifer Holliday reprising her iconic Tony-winning performance as Effie. The production will run at the Fox Theatre in association with the National Black Arts Festival from July 18 through 29.

Dreamgirls, according to press materials, "is a fascinating look inside the 60's music industry. Jennifer Holliday reprises her Tony Award winning role as Effie, the troubled star of a legendary female singing group. Filled with showbiz glitz and glamour, romance and heartbreak, the musical features songs such as 'Dreamgirls,' 'I Am Changing,' 'I Miss You Old Friend' and Effie's show-stopping signature song, 'And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going.'"

Two-time Grammy award winner Jennifer Holliday was discovered singing in a Houston choir and made her Broadway debut in the musical revival of Your Arms Too Short To Box With God. From there she was cast as Effie in Dreamgirls by Michael Bennett and she helped create the role. Other Broadway credits include: Chicago, Grease, Down-Hearted Blues: The Story of Bessie Smith, Sing, Mahalia, Sing: The Story of Mahalia Jackson and Harlem Suite. Jennifer won over a new generation of fans with her recurring role on the popular television series "Ally McBeal."

Cindy Herron-Braggs stars as Deena. Herron-Braggs has numerous film and television credits but is best known as an original member of the hit recording group En Vogue. David Jennings will portray Curtis Taylor Jr. His credits include starring in Once Upon a Mattress with Sarah Jessica Parker on Broadway and in London, playing the lead role in The Genius of Ray Charles in London's West End, and the national tours of Ragtime, Miss Saigon and The Civil War with Larry Gatlin. Eugene Fleming steps into the shoes of James Thunder Early. His extensive Broadway credits include A Chorus Line, Sophisticated Ladies, Tap Dance Kid, Black & Blue, High Rollers, Swingin' On A Star, Smokey Joe's Café, Fosse, Kiss Me Kate and One Mo' Time. J. Bernard Calloway stars in the role of Marty. Most recently, he played Othello at the American Stage Theatre Company in St. Petersburg, FL.

Brandi Chavonne Massey stars as Lorrell. Her Broadway credits include Wicked, Caroline Or Change and Jekyll And Hyde. She was seen as Nala in The Lion King in London's West End. Destan Owens will portray C.C. White. His film credits include Marie and Bruce with Julianne Moore and Matthew Broderick and Get Rick or Die Trying with 50 Cent. Broadway credits include Chicago, Rent, and Smokey Joe's Café. Nicole Alesi stars as Michelle. Her regional credits include Aida, Bye Bye Birdie and Little Shop of Horrors. James Harkness will portray Wayne. He was in the World Premiere of The Color Purple in Atlanta and then appeared in the show on Broadway. Other credits include Aida on Broadway and Dreamgirls-The 20th Anniversary Concert for the Actors Fund.

The ensemble is comprised of Heather Lea Bair, Melvin Bell, III, Kiara Bennett, Taela Naomi Brooks, Rogelio Douglas, Jr. Evan Edwards, Adam Fleming, Johnathan Lee Iverson, Michael D. Jablonski, , Rashaan James, II, Terace Jones, Tracey Conyer Lee, C. Mingo Long, Shannon MacKeil, Greg Thompson, Tryphena Wade, Jasmin Walker, and Adrienne Warren.

The director for this special 25th Anniversary production of Dreamgirls is Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj. The nusical director and conductor is Robert Strickland and the choreographer is Kevyn Morrow.

Dreamgirls Books and Lyrics are by Tom Eyen, Music by Henry Krieger. The original Broadway production was Directed and Choreographed by Michael Bennett with Orchestrations by Harold Wheeler. Dreamgirls was produced on Broadway by Michael Bennett, Robert Avian, Geffen Records and The Shubert Organization. It is presented through special arrangement with Tams-Witmark Music Library, Inc.  Bill Condon's recent hit film of Dreamgirls starred Oscar-winner Jennifer Hudson, Beyonce Knowles, Eddie Murphy and Anika Noni Rose.

Tickets are available at Ticketmaster at 404-817-8700 and www.ticketmaster.com. For group ticket information contact Fox Theatre Group Sales at 404-881-2000.  Visit www.theaterofthestars.com for more on Theater of the Stars.

First photo of Brandi Chavonne Massey by Carlos Gustavo Monroy; second photo of Jennifer Holliday