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Dreamgirls 1981

Opened: December 20, 1981
Closing: August 11, 1985

Dreamgirls - 1981 Broadway History , Info & More

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.


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Update: All Broadway Lights to Be Dimmed for Hinton Battle
by Blair Ingenthron - Mar 2, 2024


On March 12, 2024, the Committee of Theatre Owners will dim all the lights of Broadway theatres in New York for one minute at exactly 6:45pm, in his honor.

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Jennifer Holliday Chats THE COLOR PURPLE, DREAMGIRLS on THEATER TALK Today
by TV News Desk - Nov 18, 2016


Tony Award winner Jennifer Holliday makes her first appearance on THEATER TALK in a revelatory conversation about the creation of her career-making Broadway role as 'Effie' in the now-legendary Michael Bennett's production of Dreamgirls (1981-83), as well as her more recent 'major acting class' - the month-long rehearsal period with director John Doyle as he prepared her to take over the role of 'Shug Avery' in the current Broadway revival of The Color Purple.

Jennifer Holliday to Chat THE COLOR PURPLE, DREAMGIRLS on THEATER TALK
by TV News Desk - Nov 16, 2016


Tony Award winner Jennifer Holliday makes her first appearance on THEATER TALK in a revelatory conversation about the creation of her career-making Broadway role as 'Effie' in the now-legendary Michael Bennett's production of Dreamgirls (1981-83), as well as her more recent 'major acting class' - the month-long rehearsal period with director John Doyle as he prepared her to take over the role of 'Shug Avery' in the current Broadway revival of The Color Purple.

Jennifer Holliday Discusses Her Recent Comeback
by Courtnie Mele - Jul 5, 2014


On January 21, Jennifer Holliday released her first solo album in over 20 years. In a recent interview with Travis Smiley, Holliday talked about her recent comeback and past struggles.

THIRTEEN’s American Masters to Air First Film Bio of Media Mogul David Geffen, 11/20
by Tyler Peterson - Nov 14, 2012


David Geffen's far-reaching influence - as agent, manager, record industry mogul, Hollywood and Broadway producer, and philanthropist - has helped shape American popular culture for the past four decades. Notoriously press and camera-shy, Geffen reveals himself for the first time in the new two-hour documentary American Masters Inventing David Geffen, premiering nationally Tuesday, November 20, 2012 at 8 p.m. (ET) on PBS (check local listings). Two-time Emmy®-winning filmmaker, American Masters creator and executive producer Susan Lacy paints an unflinching portrait of Geffen, who narrates his unorthodox rise from working class Brooklyn boy to billionaire entertainment power broker in extensive interviews.

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Robin Wagner, Lewis Brown, et al. Win TDF/Irene Sharaff Awards
by BWW News Desk - Apr 8, 2011


Three-time Tony Award-winning scenic designer ROBIN WAGNER and esteemed costume designer LEWIS BROWN are among the 2011 TDF/Irene Sharaff Awards recipients. The awards will be presented at a ceremony on Friday, April 8 at 6:30pm at the Hudson Theatre (145 West 44th Street). Mr. Brown was selected to receive the 2011 TDF/Irene Sharaff Lifetime Achievement Award for costume design, and Tony Award-winning scenic designer Robin Wagner will receive the Robert L.B. Tobin Award for Sustained Excellence in Theatrical Design. Sadly, Mr. Brown passed away in January of 2011. His award will be accepted by his long-time colleague and friend, Albert Wolsky, who was the recipient of the 2010 TDF/Irene Sharaff Lifetime Achievement Award

Robin Wagner, Lewis Brown, et al. Win TDF/Irene Sharaff Awards
by Nicole Rosky - Feb 22, 2011


Three-time Tony Award-winning scenic designer ROBIN WAGNER and esteemed costume designer LEWIS BROWN are among the 2011 TDF/Irene Sharaff Awards recipients. The awards will be presented at a ceremony on Friday, April 8 at 6:30pm at the Hudson Theatre (145 West 44th Street). Mr. Brown was selected to receive the 2011 TDF/Irene Sharaff Lifetime Achievement Award for costume design, and Tony Award-winning scenic designer Robin Wagner will receive the Robert L.B. Tobin Award for Sustained Excellence in Theatrical Design. Sadly, Mr. Brown passed away in January of 2011. His award will be accepted by his long-time colleague and friend, Albert Wolsky, who was the recipient of the 2010 TDF/Irene Sharaff Lifetime Achievement Award

Dreamgirls History

Other Productions of Dreamgirls

1981   Broadway Original Broadway Production
Broadway
1983   US Tour 1st National Tour
US Tour
1985   US Tour 2nd National Tour
US Tour
1987   Broadway Return Engagement [Broadway]
Broadway
1995   Milburn, NJ (Regional) Paper Mill Production
Milburn, NJ (Regional)
2001   Broadway New York Concert
Broadway
2004   US Tour Touring Revival
US Tour
2005   Philadelphia, PA (Regional) Prince Music Theatre Revival
Philadelphia, PA (Regional)
2009   US Tour Touring Revival
US Tour
2016   West End West End Premiere Production
West End
Broadway Broadway Revival
Broadway

Dreamgirls - 1981 Broadway Awards and Nominations

Note: Award winners will appear on a background
Year Ceremony Category Nominee
1982 Theatre World Awards Performance Jennifer Holliday
1982 Tony Awards Best Musical Geffen Records
1982 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical Cleavant Derricks

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