'Dreamgirls' at the Palace Theater - My Review

The final production in the Webster Bank Broadway Series at the Palace Theater is Dreamgirls. I had complimentary tickets to see the opening night performance with my youngest son, who met me at the theater when he got off the on-time bus from a WAMS chorus competition field trip.

This musical is billed as sparkling new and  high tech and it definitely lives up to those adjectives. There is a staggering amount of musical numbers performed "onstage" and plenty of backstage drama in this fast-paced show. The action shifts from onstage to backstage quite effectively. The production values are first rate, especially the video design that was created by Howard Werner that figures prominently in pushing the story along. The huge number of costume changes, some of which are performed onstage very cleverly, almost take on a life of their own. The costumes designed by Tony Award winner William Ivey Long are spectacular, as is the stunning lighting designed by Ken Billington.

Dreamgirls tells the story of the career of “The Dreams,” an up-and-coming 1960s girl singing group. There is some disagreement about whether it was inspired by the career of Diana Ross and The Supremes, but the parallels are many and quite obvious. In order to follow the plot, theatergoers are required to keep straight all the male characters who "handle" and manipulate the three (eventually four) singers.

The musical features book and lyrics by Tony and Grammy Award-winner Tom Eyen, who died in 1991. The composer of the varied types of musical numbers is Academy Award-nominee Henry Krieger, including "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going," and "One Night Only."  The tour also adds a song from the film version, "Listen," which has been re-written as a duet between Deena and Effie. Audience members seated near me noted that the show was very loud, but I didn't find it to be overwhelming. The ten excellent musicians under the direction of conductor/keyboard 1 Jon Balcourt sounded terrific.

The touring company was directed by well-known Broadway Director and Choreographer Bobby Longbottom (with additional choreography from “So You Think You Can Dance’s” Shane Sparks). The story moves quickly and the choreography is first rate.

The impressive actors of the ensemble had a lot to do, and they pulled it off. Michael Jahlil captures the rise and fall of headliner James "Thunder" Early in his portrayal of this lead role. Terrance Johnson plays the role of Effie's brother and composer C.C. White. Curtis, the manager of the Dreams, is strongly played by Aubrey Poo.

The ladies who play the four members of the girl group are all strong actresses with wonderful voices. As Deena Jones, who becomes the lead singer of the group, Jasmin Richardson is a great performer. Her backup singers in the end are played by Tonyia Myrie Rue (as Lorell Robinson) and Kimberly Michelle Thomas (as Michelle Morris.) As Effie White, Charity Dawson is the powerhouse that that the role requires.

Waterbury native Sheryl Lee Ralph starred on Broadway in the role of Deena Jones, with Jennifer Holliday as Effie White. Phylicia Rashad (then known as Phylicia Ayers-Allen) was a member of the musical's company. Dreamgirls proved to be a star-making vehicle for several of its performers. I enjoyed the spectacle of the show, especially the production numbers.

For more information about the touring company, visit:  www.DreamgirlsOnTheRoad.com

Dreamgirls continues at the Palace Theater today at 2:00 and 8:00 pm. Tickets for the Webster Bank Broadway Series presentation are $69, $59, and $49 and can be purchased by phone at 203-346-2000, online at www.palacetheaterct.org, or in person at the box office, 100 East Main Street in Waterbury.