Review: DREAMGIRLS Reunite Triumphantly to Celebrate 35th Anniversary of the Broadway Show

Chris Isaacson Presents/Broadway Under the Stars/Celebrating the 35th Anniversary of Dreamgirls/Ford Amphitheatre/July 10, 2016

Not in the least hard to fathom that the Dreamgirls' 35th anniversary concert presented under the auspices of Chris Isaacson Presents Broadway Under the Stars was a sellout! With Sheryl Lee Ralph, LorEtta Devine and Jennifer Holliday all headlining, who would not want to be there to marvel at the ageless talent of these amazing Broadway superstars? Directed by Iona Morris, choreographed by Lee Martino and musically directed by Kenneth Crouch, the evening also featured a bevy of other singing and dancing talents such as Frenchie Davis, Matt Zarley and a special fun appearance by Mary Wilson.

Of course, the theatre itself - a newly refurbished one...well, at least half completed - was first and foremost on display. The plan was to fix the hill behind the stage, as water leakage from rainstorms had caused a bevy of problems. And it looks terrific with a big stone wall and long staircase leading down to the stage. Every time Ralph made an entrance from on top, she would comment in true diva fashion, "If you have a set like this, you have to play with it." Side walls of the space are yet to be finished, but by next season, hopefully, the work should be complete.

The show got off to a riproaring start with the three gals appearing together onstage after the overture. They sat in directors chairs and were interviewed by blogger/columnist Perez Hilton. The gals all agreed that Dreamgirls was a great success not only because it was black, but because of director Michael Bennett, his vision - which was not always admired in the biz - and all of the technology utilized in the continuous motion of sets being brought on and taken off the stage, which for 1981 was way ahead of its time. Ralph is clearly the outspoken, fiery diva, putting in her two cents about every second. She's a commanding presence, a force to be reckoned with...but the seemingly quietest one Miss Jennifer Holliday really chimed in and let her have it when she mentioned that the show opened out of town in 1981 in New Haven. "We didn't perform in no New Haven," exclaimed Holliday quite loudly, "We played Boston." Another diva was heard, and the audience, consisting of what seemed about half the gays of WeHo, were in stitches. It was that kind of open, seemingly spontaneous interview where just about anything could be said, and when Hilton asked if the show was based on The Supremes, there came a resounding "No!" At that moment Mary Wilson, one of the original Supremes was escorted downstage, blew kisses at the three and firmly answered "No!" as well, adding, "I would know; they didn't pay me." She was there to promote her book which was on sale in the downstairs courtyard, but the whole appearance was a real hoot. The three ladies seemed to get on well throughout, and when Ralph commented in the finale about coming together in peace and love, she added "And if we three can get together after all these years and do a show...then anything is possible."

It was a fantastic evening divided into two parts. Act One highlights included: Divine's interp of "Ain't No Party", Ralph's trunk song for Deena Jones "It's Gonna Be...My Turn", and Holliday's classic "And I Am Telling You I Ain't Going". Act Two included some of the songs added to the film like "Listen" and "Love You I Do", beautifully rendered by Frenchie Davis and a fab duet between Ralph and Kenny Lattimore "When I First Saw You". Holliday brought down the house twice more with "One Night Only" and "I Am Changing". Lee Martino's choreography for the other groups the Step Sisters and the Crew Tones was her usual fast and furious movement, which works so well on this expansive stage. And the costumes, particularly for Holliday, Ralph and Divine were gorgeous. They made so many changes throughout into gowns of vibrant sequined purples, blacks, reds et al!

I had a great time and became a fan of Sheryl Lee Ralph during the course of the show. This lady is one helluva funny broad and really knows how to entertain her audience in song and patter. I cannot wait to see her perform again with her group Divas Simply Singing, the second largest performing artists group fighting AIDS in Los Angeles.

Bravo to one and all!

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