NSMT to Open 60th Anniversary Season with DREAMGIRLS, 6/2-14

Celebrate 60 years of theatre history when Bill Hanney's award-winning North Shore Music Theatre (NSMT) presents a glittering production of DREAMGIRLS, the dazzling Tony and Oscar award-winning musical. DREAMGIRLS will electrify audiences beginning on Tuesday, June 2 and will play thru Sunday, June 14. Press night is scheduled for Wednesday, June 3 at 7:30 pm

Full of onstage joy and backstage drama, DREAMGIRLS tells the story of "The Dreams," an up-and-coming 1960s girl singing group - inspired by the career of Diana Ross and The Supremes - as they experience the triumphs and tribulations that accompany their pursuit of fame and fortune in the tumultuous music industry.

Winner of six Tony Awards and two Grammy Awards, DREAMGIRLS premiered on Broadway in December of 1981. Through several revivals and an award-winning 2006 motion picture adaptation, it has remained an audience favorite for more than three decades. DREAMGIRLS features unforgettable music by Academy Award nominee Henry Krieger and book and lyrics by Tony and Grammy Award winner Tom Eyen. Hit songs from the musical include "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going," "I Am Changing," "One Night Only," and "Steppin' To The Bad Side."

"Dreamgirls was a perfect fit to open the 60th Anniversary Season at North Shore Music Theatre. I have started every season with a strong leading lady, and this show has three amazing leading ladies," said NSMT owner and producer Bill Hanney. "Dreamgirls is a 35 years old show, but the recent film has made is feel like a newer title that fits in with the rest the musical season, which are all recent Broadway hits. While the original 1981 production of Dreamgirls featured staging that is iconic, I know that our director/choreographer, Nick Kenkel, can put a unique spin on it just as he did with last season's acclaimed original production of Chicago. I am excited to open our new production in June."

The 22 member cast of DREAMGIRLS will feature Breanna Bartley (Michelle), Britney Coleman (Deena Jones), Grasan Kingsberry (Curtis Taylor, Jr.), JC Montgomery (Marty), Bryonha Marie Parham (Effie Melody White), Destinee Rea, (Lorrell Robinson), Eric LaJuan Summers (James "Thunder" Early), and Noah J Ricketts (C.C. White).

The ensemble includes Esther Antoine, Tamala Baldwin, Darren Bunch, Alia Hodge, Kyshawn Lane, AJ Lockhart, Tim McGarrigal, Ashley McManus, NaTonia Monet, Clinton Roane, Allysa Shorte, Alex Swift, Rickey Tripp, and Akron Watson.

DREAMGIRLS will be directed and choreographed by Nick Kenkel. Nick's previous shows at NSMT include Chicago and Legally Blonde. Also on the creative team are Jesse Vargas (Music Direction), Evan A. Bartoletti (Scenic Design), Paula Peasley-Ninestein (Costume Design), Ken Smith (Lighting Design), Michael Eisenberg (Sound Design), John Godbout (Production Stage Manager), Katie Scarlett (Assistant Stage Manager), Jacob Yates (Assistant Music Director), and Binder Casting (Casting). DREAMGIRLS is produced for North Shore Music Theatre by Bill Hanney (Owner/Producer), Kevin P. Hill (Artistic Director), and Tom Amos (Associate Producer).

Tickets for the DREAMGIRLS are priced from $54 - $79. Performances are June 2 thru June 14, Tue - Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri & Sat at 8 pm, matinees Wed, Sat and Sun at 2 pm. Kids 18 and under save 50% on 'Family Fridays'- June 5 & 12 at 8 pm. For tickets and information call (978) 232-7200, visit www.nsmt.org, or visit the box office in person at 62 Dunham Rd., Beverly, DREAMGIRLS is sponsored by Abiomed.

Additional Free Audience Enrichment events: Meet the Theatre: post-show audience discussion with the artists on June 9 after the 7:30 pm performance and June 13 after the 2 pm performance; OUT at the North Shore, an evening for the Gay and Lesbian Community with a post-show reception (sponsored in part by Ryan & Wood Inc.) on June 11 after the 7:30 pm performance.

The 2015 Musical Season continues with Shrek The Musical (July 7 - 19), Saturday Night Fever The Musical (August 11 - 23), Billy Elliot The Musical (September 29 - October 11), Sister Act (November 3 - 15), and concludes with 25th Annual Production of A Christmas Carol (December 4 - 23), starring David Coffee as Ebenezer Scrooge.

The 2015 Concert Series includes Ballroom With A Twist (July 23 at 7:30pm, 24 at 8pm, 25 at 8pm), Rock The Yacht 2015 featuring Ambrosia, Firefall, Player, Stephen Bishop, and Robbie Dupree (July 26 at 7:30pm), On The Magic Carpet with Barbara Eden (August 28 at 7:30pm), Linda Eder (August 29 at 8pm), and Harvey Robbins' Royalty of Rock 'n' Roll (August 30 at 2pm) and Doo-Wopp Hall of Fame (October 18 at 2pm).

The 2015 Summer Fairytale Musical Series will feature Snow White (July 17), Cinderella (July24), Pinocchio (July 31) and Sleeping Beauty (August 21). Performances are Fridays at 10am and 1pm. All tickets are $12. All shows are presented by Kaleidoscope Children's Theatre.

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