DREAMGIRLS at Berkeley Playhouse

Dreamgirls opened on Broadway on December 20, 1981 at the Imperial Theatre, where it played for 1521 performances. Through gospel, R&B, smooth pop, disco and more, Dreamgirls explores themes of ambition, hope and betrayal, all set in the glamorous and competitive world of the entertainment industry.

Dreamgirls, a powerhouse musical that echoes the rise of Motown legends, takes audiences on a dazzling journey back to the 1960s. The story centers on The Dreams, a phenomenal female singing trio from Chicago - the soulful Effie White, the beautiful Deena Jones, and the optimistic Lorrell Robinson. Their chance encounter with a famous R&B singer, Jimmy "Thunder" Early, lands them a backup gig, igniting their dreams of stardom. However, their ambitious manager, Curtis Taylor Jr., has a different vision. He molds The Dreams into a polished pop act with a lighter sound, pushing Deena to the forefront while sidelining Effie's powerful voice in favor of a more "marketable" image.

As The Dreams climb the charts, their friendship crumbles under the pressure of fame and shifting priorities. Effie feels betrayed when she's replaced, Deena struggles with loyalty to her friend and the pressures of success, and Lorrell navigates the complexities of love and ambition within the cutthroat world of show business. Dreamgirls, featuring iconic songs like "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" and "Dreamgirls," is a powerful exploration of friendship, betrayal, and the price of fame in the ever-evolving music industry.

Authors

• Henry Krieger
• Tom Eyen

Tony Awards and Nominations for DREAMGIRLS