Cape Fear Regional Theatre's presents DREAMGIRLS

Cape Fear Regional Theatre (CFRT) under the new leadership of Artistic Director Mary Catherine Burke proves the theatre's unique blend of professional artists, regional artists and local artists still works, after 56 Seasons, in the current production of DREAMGIRLS.

The cast of fourteen local and six national and regional performers led by Natalyee Randall (Effie White), Kwame Michael Remy (Jimmy Early), Diamond Essence White (Deena Jones), and Stephanie Rocio (Lorrell Robinson), directed by Suzanne Agins and choreographed by Broadway veteran Randy A. Davis, proves that together are a powerful recipe for success as the production has received critical acclaim, audience love and ticket sales exceeding the theatre's lofty goal with one week remaining in the run.

At the helm of this production is "Nattalyee Randall...a phenomenal performer," Burke says in an interview with The Fayetteville Observer. "Her vocal prowess is undeniable. At the end of act one, the audience frequently leaps to their feet to applaud her number, 'And I am Telling You.' She has a wonderful ability to make the audience feel her emotions through her powerful performance." Together with the professional artists like Randall is a dedicated company of local and regional people who all share the same ultimate desire. "The underlying theme of the show is that dream of performing," said Ricardo Morgan, who plays Tony Joe Dixon. A local performer and veteran of several CFRT productions, Morgan said it resonates with the audience because "everybody, no matter what walk of life, has a dream." (Up and Coming Weekly)

DREAMGIRLS kicks off CFRT's 56th Season, the first one with the theatre for Artistic Director Burke who is only the third AD in the organization's history. The theatre's long history includes many professionals who have tread the boards including Pat Hingle, Dirk Lumbard, William Christopher, Billy Bustamante (currently in Broadway's Miss Saigon), Grady Bowman (currently Movement Director for The Very Hungry Caterpillar -Off-Broadway), and NaTasha Yvette Williams (Broadway's Chicago).

Since 1962, Cape Fear Regional Theatre (CFRT) has served as a place for the diverse community of Fayetteville (home of Fort Bragg and the 82nd Airborne) and the broader region to come together to laugh harder, think deeper, share experiences and grow as a community through the power of live theatre. CFRT features a three-story complex with a 309 seat main stage and brings in actors, writers and designers from throughout the country. CFRT's six-show mainstage season and robust education and outreach programs serve over 42,000 audience members a year from all ages and varying socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds including nearly 7,000 students from around the region.

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