Dreamgirls

Dreamgirls is an award-winning Broadway musical, which opened on December 20, 1981 at the Imperial Theatre on Broadway and ran for 1522 performances. The musical was loosely based on the history of Motown group The Supremes (though through the years, various people associated with the play have insisted that this is not true), following the story of a Black all-girl singing trio from Chicago called The Dreams, who become music superstars. It features music by Henry Krieger and lyrics and book by Tom Eyen, and was directed by Michael Bennett, produced by Bennett, Bob Avian, and Geffen Records, and choreographed by Bennett and Michael Peters.

Related Topics:
Broadway - Musical - December 20 - 1981 - Imperial Theatre - Motown - The Supremes - Black - Chicago - Henry Krieger - Tom Eyen - Michael Bennett - Bob Avian - Geffen Records - Choreographed - Michael Peters

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The musical, which starred Jennifer Holliday as the Florence Ballard-like Effie White, was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Musical, and won the Tony for Best Book of a Musical. Holliday won the Tony for Best Leading Actress in a Musical, and Ben Harney won for Best Leading Actor .

Related Topics:
Jennifer Holliday - Florence Ballard - Tony Award for Best Musical - Best Book of a Musical - Best Leading Actress in a Musical - Ben Harney - Best Leading Actor

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Mary Wilson of The Supremes loved the musical, and even named her first autobiography, ', after it. Former Supremes lead singer Diana Ross was reportedly angered by the musical, and refused to see it.

Related Topics:
Mary Wilson - Autobiography - Diana Ross

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A motion picture adaptation of Dreamgirls, to be written and directed by Bill Condon, is scheduled to start filming in summer 2005. Beyoncé Knowles has been signed to play the Diana Ross-like character of Deena Jones, with Jamie Foxx signed to play the Berry Gordy doppelganger Curtis Taylor, Jr., and Usher is in negotiations to play The Dreams' songwriter C.C. White. Eddie Murphy has recently been signed to play a James Brown-like character for whom The Dreams open on the road. http://www.playbill.com/news/article/92903.html. According to widespread rumor, Fantasia Barrino has been cast or is at least an inside favorite for the part of Effie White.

Related Topics:
Motion picture - Bill Condon - 2005 - Beyoncé Knowles - Jamie Foxx - Berry Gordy - Usher - Eddie Murphy - James Brown - Fantasia Barrino

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~