Review: Porchlight's DREAMGIRLS Will Make You Happy

Porchlight's production of DREAMGIRLS is a theater lover's dream come true: all the glitz, glamour and spectacle of a large Broadway musical alongside an intimate, emotionally honest ensemble show that is the hallmark of Chicago theater.

I've seen countless productions of the show over the years and, though I seem to be seeing this quite a bit this theater season, this is by far my favorite of all the productions I have seen. This is more a testament to the great work that's been done this season than my interest to repeat myself. This truly has been a great season and you can add Porchlight's gorgeous production to the list of things that made me thankful for the gift that is Chicago theater.

In lesser capable hands, the show at its worst can come off as a cliché-filled backstage tome. Yet, with director and choreographer Brenda Didier at the helm, aspects of the show seem to crack with renewed urgency. Case in point: the racism that was inherent in the music industry pre-Motown. Yes, this element has always been in the show and yet it seemed to resonate with clarity here.

The musical follows Effie White (Donica Lynn), Deena Jones (Candace C. Edwards) and Lorrell Robinson (Katherine Thomas), a girl group trio from Chicago, from their humble beginnings as the Dreamettes at amateur night at Harlem's Apollo Theater, their ascension to pop music stardom at the hands of music producer Curtis Taylor Jr. (Evan Tyrone Martin) and Effie's composer brother C.C. (Gilbert Domally), and the group's eventual break up.

As Effie, Lynn does not disappoint in the role that loosely follows that of Motown's Florence Ballard. Namely, Effie is pushed to the back of the group when her soulful, church voice is deemed less commercial than Deena's. And like Ballard, Effie is unceremoniously kicked out of the group in Las Vegas, replaced on the very same night she is handed her walking papers. Lynn's effortless and yet powerful rendition of the show's iconic tune "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" is certainly worth the price of admission alone.

Lynn and director Didier aren't done, yet. Effie's second act number "I Am Changing" in which Effie tries to rebuild a music career and regain a bit of self-confidence, is too often almost a throw away moment in many productions. Lynn finds some subtle, yet profound moments with the audition accompanist (the show's music director Doug Peck) that take the scene to a new level (Peck is no slouch in the acting category, either).

The production really succeeds in highlighting the relationship between Thomas' Lorrell and Eric Lewis' James Brown-inspired Jimmy Early. Lorrell carries on a seven-year affair with the married Jimmy, eventually finding her voice and demand the kind of life she sees for herself. It's a secondary plot that too often gets lost between Effie's pathos and Curtis' scheming to make Deena a star.

Lewis, it is worth noting, lands both laughs and the gymnastic landing. His Early is certainly one of the most acrobatic Jimmys I've seen.

Edwards, as Deena, also holds her own as the back-up singer who finds herself promoted to lead at the expense of her friendship with Effie. It is a seductive price she is all-to-willing to pay, only to later regret.

It certainly is worth spending at least "One Night Only" with Porchlight's enchanting, energetic and engaging DREAMGIRLS.

Porchlight's production of DREAMGIRLS runs through May 22 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont. Tickets $38-$51. Call 773.327.5252 or porchlightmusictheatre.org.

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