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Dreamgirls 1981

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

Dreamgirls - 1981 Broadway History , Info & More


Imperial Theatre (Broadway)
249 West 45th St. New York, NY

Based upon the show business aspirations and successes of R&B acts such as The Supremes, The Shirelles, James Brown, Jackie Wilson, and others, the musical follows the story of a young female singing trio from Chicago, Illinois called "The Dreams", who become music superstars. It was nominated for thirteen Tony Awards, including the Tony Award for Best Musical, and won six. It was later adapted into a motion picture from DreamWorks and Paramount Pictures in 2006.


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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.

Theater Stories: AIN'T TOO PROUD, The Premiere of PIPPIN, The Debut of Mary Martin & More About The Imperial Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 12, 2020


This week's Theater Stories features the Imperial Theatre. Learn about the stars and shows to have graced the theatre's stage, including Ethel Merman in Annie Get Your Gun and Gypsy; the Broadway premiere of Mary Martin; the theatre's current show, Ain't Too Proud, and much more!

BWW Feature: Cabaret Today
by Stephen Mosher - Oct 15, 2020


What is it about the art form of cabaret these days that is different from the art form of cabaret from yesterday? Sometimes nothing; but sometimes every damn thing.

The 101 Greatest Musical Theatre Characters (1940-2020)
by Peter Nason - Apr 30, 2020


BWW Reviewer Peter Nason chooses the best musical theatre characters from 1940-2020; see if your favorites are on our list of the best characters from Broadway musicals.

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.

INVENTING DAVID GEFFEN Premieres 11/20 on PBS
by Kelsey Denette - Jul 10, 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.

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 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Actress in a Musical Jennifer Holliday
1982 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Actress in a Musical Sheryl Lee Ralph
1982 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Costume Design Theoni V. Aldredge
1982 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Director of a Musical Michael Bennett
1982 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical Cleavant Derricks
1982 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Lighting Design Tharon Musser
1982 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Music Tom Eyen
1982 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Musical 0
1982 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Set Design Robin Wagner
1982 The Hewes Awards Lighting Design Robin Wagner
1982 The Hewes Awards Lighting Design Tharon Musser
1982 Tony Awards Best Book of a Musical Tom Eyen
1982 Tony Awards Best Choreography Michael Peters
1982 Tony Awards Best Choreography Michael Bennett
1982 Tony Awards Best Costume Design Theoni V. Aldredge
1982 Tony Awards Best Direction of a Musical Michael Bennett
1982 Tony Awards Best Lighting Design Tharon Musser
1982 Tony Awards Best Musical The Shubert Organization
1982 Tony Awards Best Musical Bob Avian
1982 Tony Awards Best Musical Michael Bennett
1982 Tony Awards Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre Tom Eyen
1982 Tony Awards Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre Henry Krieger
1982 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical Obba Babatunde
1982 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical Ben Harney
1982 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical Jennifer Holliday
1982 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical Sheryl Lee Ralph
1982 Tony Awards Best Scenic Design Robin Wagner

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