Holliday, Hudson, and now Angela: Dreamgirls' 'Effie White' ready for the Bay Area to love her
There are very few arias in all of musical theatre that feature such raw and passionate energy like the signature song from "Dreamgirls," “And I am Telling You I’m Not Going.” The indignation that Effie White shoots at her lover Curtis Taylor, Jr. is one that reverberates through a theatre and can send shudders down an audience member’s spine, culminating in some serious tear duct action.
Dreaming With Syesha Mercado: 'Dreamgirls' Newest Broadway Star
Plot Summary: Hopeful singers enter a famous talent competition. Standing in the wings, wishing on a star, hoping with all their hearts to be heard, they move to center stage and give it all they've got. For some, dreams will be dashed – but for others...this is only the beginning.
Yes, this is the synopsis for the wildly successful Broadway musical Dreamgirls, now on tour and set to open at San Francisco's Curran Theater on Tuesday, August 24th. But it is also the story of 23-year-old, powerhouse-of-a-voice, Syesha Mercado.
'Dreamgirls' visit Greenville
Broadway meets Main Street this August as the award-winning Dreamgirls comes to The Peace Center for a week-long production.
The Apollo Theater musical chronicles a trio of female singers as they rise to R&B superstardom. A 2006 film adaptation of Dreamgirls captivated national audiences, and now, The Peace Center's Broadway series will let Greenville viewers see the performance in its original form.
'Dreamgirls' cast, director and choreographer nominated for Black Theater Alliance Awards
The Black Theater Alliance Awards has announced the nominees for its 16th annual celebration of excellence in Chicago area theater and dance productions featuring African-American artists and themes. Dreamgirls’ Robert Longbottom, Moya Angela, Syesha Mercado, Chaz Lamar Shepherd, Chester Gregory, Adrienne Warren and Shane Spark were among nominees
Winners of the awards will be named Oct. 11 at a ceremony to be held at the Illinois Institute of Technology, 3241 S. Federal. Actor Richard Roundtree (of "Shaft" fame) is slated to attend the event, where he'll receive a Lifetime Achievement Award. A buffet dinner will be served from 7 to 8 p.m., with the ceremony to follow. For tickets ($60), visit btaawards.org.
'Dreamgirls' to open at Starlight Theatre this week
To say composer Henry Krieger is grateful for Dreamgirls is an understatement. It was his first big hit on Broadway back in the '80s, and then he worked on the Oscar-winning film in 2006. Now Krieger is part of a new Dreamgirls that opened last year at the Apollo Theatre and runs Tuesday through Sunday at Starlight Theatre. The musical is touring nationally, and the producers have great hopes that this version will make it back to Broadway, three decades after the original.
'Dreamgirls' sets additional tour dates through 2010
The national tour of the revamped Tony Award-winning Motown musical Dreamgirls has announced dates through the end of 2010, with engagements planned in San Francisco, Atlanta, Memphis and Miami.
A Wish to Build a Dream On
Syesha Mercado never wanted to win. Even going into the seventh season of “American Idol” two years ago, the singer had already determined a personal goal that she would be happy achieving. “I went into the competition with my mind set on third place. That’s what I wanted,” says Mercado, who did indeed place third behind David Archuleta and winner David Cook. “I felt like it was a good stop. I didn’t want to be second runner-up. I didn’t want to be first. I felt like (third place) was an opportunity to give me everything I wanted to do.”
Dreamgirl still uncertain how dream job came about
Moya Angela is thrilled to be playing Effie White in “Dreamgirls” — her dream role. But just how it all came about is a bit of a mystery, she said. Back at home in Indiana, she was working at a flea market selling socks when she received the phone call that changed her life.
“I was home, barely making it,” Angela said over the phone from Cincinnati, Ohio. “I don’t know how they got the number ... I lost my cell phone and I just had the phone turned back on, but no one had this number.”
Director brings 'Dreamgirls' into 21st century
Choreographer and director Robert Longbottom was given the daunting task of bringing Dreamgirls back to the stage in a new form that is true to the musical's spirit yet reflective of a new century.
The result can be seen on stage at the Ahmanson Theatre, where the touring production of Longbottom's revival is in previews. It begins its five-week run on March 2.
Living the dream: New trio brings real-life heartache and joy to 'Dreamgirls' roles
Dreamgirls has always been an art-imitating-life hall of mirrors. The tale of an African-American girl group whose members rocket from amateur-night upstarts to glamorous divas at the height of the Motown era, Dreamgirls is loosely based on the turbulent behind-the-scenes history of the Supremes. The Tony Award-winning 1981 production made Jennifer Holliday a Broadway legend, and the 2006 film version transformed Jennifer Hudson from an "American Idol" also-ran into an Oscar-winning Hollywood star. The trajectory of both women echoed the musical’s rags-to-riches story.
Born on Broadway, revived for Hollywood, this 'Dreamgirls' touring show was made in Korea
You've heard of the out-of-town tryout. But the stage revival of the musical Dreamgirls began its life way out of town. In Seoul, South Korea. In terms of direction, design and choreography, the production that opens Tuesday at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis is the same one that South Koreans cheered for six months, said producer John Breglio.
Chester Gregory prepares to light up the stage
When Broadway’s all-new production of Dreamgirls makes it to the Marcus Center next week, get ready for lots of fashionable flash, thunderous singing and solid personas.
Directed and choreographed by Robert Longbottom with co-choreography by Shane Sparks, this fully reworked musical gained momentum during its premiere at Harlem’s famed Apollo Theater in November before embarking on a national tour. With music by famed composer Henry Krieger and lyrics and book by Tom Eyen, the show tells the story of three young singers who become superstars in the same vein as many other R&B acts like The Supremes, The Shirelles, James Brown, Jackie Wilson and others.
A revamped 'Dreamgirls' hits Heinz Hall
Broadway moved uptown a few weeks ago when the national tour of Dreamgirls launched from the Apollo as a feature of the famed Harlem theater's 75th anniversary.
"It was like 'Boheme' at La Scala," director Robert Longbottom said by phone last week, just as Dreamgirls made its way to Baltimore before the national tour hits Heinz Hall tomorrow. "If there was a piece of musical theater that belonged at a specific venue, it was this. It really was thrilling."
'Dreamgirls' at Hippodrome features former contestants from 'Idol' and 'Dance'
Reality show refugees Syesha Mercado and Shane Sparks couldn't have reacted more differently to landing key positions in the national touring production of Dreamgirls, which opens Wednesday in Baltimore.
Asked and Answered | William Ivey Long of 'Dreamgirls'
William Ivey Long is the costume designer for the recent revival of Dreamgirls, playing at the Apollo Theater until Dec. 12, when it will start on a national tour. The production has received rave reviews — and Long’s costumes have played no small part in its success. The Moment caught up with the five-time Tony winner to discuss wigs and costume changes.
Showing Them Some Love: 'Dreamgirls' at the Apollo
There is a moment at the beginning of this latest revival of Dreamgirls when reality and fantasy mesh, when the actresses performing onstage at the Apollo Theater in Harlem are as excited and anxious about their chance at stardom as the fictional ’60s-era singers they portray.
The Stuff Dreams Are Made Of
Prior to touring, a revised Dreamgirls takes to the iconic Apollo stage in a dream come true for the show's original composer. Most shows go into their national tours brandishing "Direct From Broadway" banners. Not Dreamgirls. It'll be flying "Direct From The Apollo" colors.
'DREAMGIRLS' National Tour Kicks Off at Apollo Theater
Producer John Breglio and the Apollo Theater Foundation, Inc. will bring Broadway uptown for four weeks only with Dreamgirls at the Apollo Theater, prior to the national tour of the new production of the groundbreaking musical. The national tour of Dreamgirls will kick-off at Harlem's legendary Apollo Theater (253 West 125 Street) beginning previews Saturday, November 7, 2009, and opening Sunday, November 22, 2009, for 4 weeks only, through Sunday December, 6, 2009.
'Dreamgirls' at the Apollo Theater
This year, the Apollo Theater is celebrating its 75th anniversary. And as part of the celebration, the New York landmark will launch the new national tour of Tony-winning musical Dreamgirls. Fox 5's Anne Craig got a sneak peek from the three leading ladies.
'Dreamgirls' Tour Will Bow at Apollo Theater Nov. 7
The newly conceived national tour of the Tony-nominated Motown musical Dreamgirls has announced dates for its premiere engagement at the Apollo Theater in Harlem. Under the direction of Tony nominee Robert Longbottom (Side Show, Flower Drum Song), Dreamgirls will begin performances at the Apollo Theater Nov. 7 at 8 PM and continue through Dec. 5, prior to embarking on a national tour. An on-sale ticket date for the Apollo engagement will be announced at a later time.
