Dreamgirls

Dreamgirls is a Broadway musical, with music by Henry Krieger and lyrics and book by Tom Eyen, that premiered at the Imperial Theatre in 1981, starring Jennifer Holliday as Effie White, Sheryl Lee Ralph as Deena Jones, and Loretta Devine as Lorrell Robinson. The musical was produced by Michael Bennett and directed by Michael Bennett, with Bob Avian as co-choreographer, and was nominated for thirteen Tony Awards, winning six, including Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical and Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for Ben Harney. The musical was also nominated for eight Drama Desk Awards, winning three, including Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical. The original cast recording was produced by David Foster and Holland-Dozier-Holland, and was released on Geffen Records.

Background

The idea for Dreamgirls was conceived by Tom Eyen, who was inspired by the stories of The Supremes, The Shirelles, and other Motown girl groups, as well as the R&B and soul music of the 1960s and 1970s, including artists such as Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, and James Brown. The musical was developed at the New York Shakespeare Festival, with the support of Joseph Papp and Gail Merrifield Papp, and was workshopped at the Public Theater, with a cast that included Jennifer Holliday, Sheryl Lee Ralph, and Loretta Devine. The musical premiered at the Imperial Theatre in 1981, directed by Michael Bennett and choreographed by Michael Bennett and Bob Avian, with a cast that included Jennifer Holliday, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Loretta Devine, and Ben Harney, and was produced by Robert Fryer, Harold Prince, and Douglas Meyer.

Plot

The musical follows the story of a young female singing trio from Chicago, The Dreams, composed of Effie White, Deena Jones, and Lorrell Robinson, who rise to fame in the 1960s and 1970s, with the help of their manager, Curtis Taylor Jr., who is inspired by Berry Gordy and other Motown executives. The musical explores the challenges and conflicts that the group faces, including the tensions between Effie White and Deena Jones, and the romantic relationships between the characters, including Effie White and Curtis Taylor Jr., and Deena Jones and Curtis Taylor Jr.. The musical features a range of characters, including James Thunder Early, a James Brown-inspired singer, and Marty Madison, a Brian Epstein-inspired manager, and includes references to The Apollo Theater, The Ed Sullivan Show, and other notable venues and events of the time.

Music

The musical features a range of songs, including And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going, I Am Changing, and One Night Only, which were written by Henry Krieger and Tom Eyen, and were inspired by the R&B and soul music of the 1960s and 1970s, including the music of The Supremes, The Shirelles, and other Motown girl groups. The original cast recording was produced by David Foster and Holland-Dozier-Holland, and was released on Geffen Records, and features performances by Jennifer Holliday, Sheryl Lee Ralph, and Loretta Devine, as well as Ben Harney and other members of the original cast. The musical's score has been praised for its energy, creativity, and emotional depth, and has been compared to the work of other notable Broadway composers, including Stephen Sondheim and Cy Coleman.

Adaptations

The musical was adapted into a film in 2006, directed by Bill Condon and starring Beyoncé as Deena Jones, Jennifer Hudson as Effie White, and Eddie Murphy as James Thunder Early. The film was produced by Laurence Mark and David Geffen, and was released by Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Pictures, and features a range of songs from the original musical, including And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going and One Night Only. The film was nominated for eight Academy Awards, including Academy Award for Best Picture, and won two, including Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Jennifer Hudson. The musical has also been adapted into a concert version, which has been performed at venues such as Carnegie Hall and The Hollywood Bowl, and has featured performances by Jennifer Holliday, Sheryl Lee Ralph, and other members of the original cast.

Reception

The musical received widespread critical acclaim when it premiered on Broadway in 1981, with praise for its energetic and creative score, its strong performances, and its thoughtful and engaging storyline, which explores themes of feminism, racism, and identity. The musical was nominated for thirteen Tony Awards, winning six, including Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical and Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for Ben Harney. The musical has also been praised by critics such as Frank Rich and John Simon, who have noted its originality, its energy, and its emotional depth, and have compared it to other notable Broadway musicals, including A Chorus Line and Chicago. The musical has been performed in numerous productions around the world, including in London's West End, and has been seen by millions of people, including Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, who have praised its music, its performances, and its storyline.

Impact

The musical has had a significant impact on popular culture, with its music, its characters, and its storyline influencing a range of other works, including films, television shows, and other Broadway musicals, such as The Bodyguard and Motown: The Musical. The musical's score has been covered by numerous artists, including Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, and Jennifer Hudson, and has been featured in a range of contexts, including The Oprah Winfrey Show and American Idol. The musical has also been recognized for its historical significance, with its portrayal of The Supremes and other Motown girl groups, and its exploration of themes such as feminism, racism, and identity, which have been praised by critics such as Roxane Gay and Ta-Nehisi Coates. The musical has been included in the Library of Congress's National Recording Registry, and has been recognized by the Grammy Awards and the National Endowment for the Arts. Category:Broadway musicals