Dreamgirls (Broadway, Imperial Theatre, 1981) | Playbill

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Dreamgirls

Broadway
Musical
Original

Dreamgirls Playbill - Sept 1983
Dreamgirls Playbill - Sept 1983
Dreamgirls Playbill - April 1985
Dreamgirls Playbill - April 1985
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SYNOPSIS:

An opportunistic show business promoter sets the career of a female trio of black singers soaring as 1960s Motown music becomes popular with both white and black audiences, necessitating the overweight lead singer's demotion in favor of a more glamorous singer who had previously sung backup.

People (104)
  • Weyman Thompson
    Weyman Thompson
    Curtis Taylor, Jr.
    (Replacement)
    Ensemble
    (Original)
    Film Executive
    (Original)
    One of "Little Albert and the Tru-Tones"
    (Original)
    One of "The Five Tuxedoes"
    (Original)
    One of "The James Early Band"
    (Original)
  • Susan Beaubian
    Susan Beaubian
    Deena Jones
    (Replacement)
    One of "Les Style"
    (Replacement)
    One of "The Stepp Sisters"
    (Replacement)
  • Deborah Burrell
    Deborah Burrell
    Deena Jones
    (Replacement)
    Michelle Morris
    (Original)
    One of "The Stepp Sisters"
    (Original)
  • Roz Ryan
    Roz Ryan
    Edna Burke
    (Replacement)
    Effie Melody White
    (Replacement)
  • Teresa Burrell
    Teresa Burrell
    Lorrell Robinson
    (Replacement)
    Michelle Morris
    (Replacement)
    One of "The Stepp Sisters"
    (Replacement)
  • Bud Vest
    Bud Vest
    Frank
    (Replacement)
    Ensemble
    (Replacement)
  • Brenda Pressley
    Brenda Pressley
    Michelle Morris
    (Replacement)
    Ensemble
    (Original)
    One of "Les Style"
    (Original)
    One of "The Stepp Sisters"
    (Original)
  • Wellington Perkins
    Wellington Perkins
    Wayne
    (Replacement)
    Ensemble
    (Original)
    One of "Little Albert and the Tru-Tones"
    (Original)
    One of "The James Early Band"
    (Original)
  • Cheryl Alexander
    Cheryl Alexander
    Charlene
    (Original)
    Ensemble
    (Original)
    One of "Les Style"
    (Original)
  • Charles Bernard
    Charles Bernard
    Ensemble
    (Original)
    One of "Little Albert and the Tru-Tones"
    (Original)
    One of "The Five Tuxedoes"
    (Original)
    One of "The James Early Band"
    (Original)
  • Paul Binotto
    Paul Binotto
    Dave
    (Original)
    Ensemble
    (Original)
    Film Executive
    (Original)
  • Candy Darling
    Candy Darling
    Ensemble
    (Original)
    One of "The Sweethearts"
    (Original)
  • Tenita Jordan
    Tenita Jordan
    Ensemble
    (Original)
    One of "Les Style"
    (Original)
    One of "The Stepp Sisters"
    (Original)
  • Linda Lloyd
    Linda Lloyd
    Ensemble
    (Original)
    Joanne
    (Original)
    One of "Les Style"
    (Original)
  • Joe Lynn
    Joe Lynn
    Ensemble
    (Original)
    Jerry
    (Original)
    Tiny Joe Dixon
    (Original)
  • Jamie Patterson
    Jamie Patterson
    Ensemble
    (Original)
    One of "Little Albert and the Tru-Tones"
    (Original)
    One of "The Five Tuxedoes"
    (Original)
    One of "The James Early Band"
    (Original)
  • Scott Plank
    Scott Plank
    Ensemble
    (Original)
    Film Executive
    (Original)
    One of "The James Early Band"
    (Original)
  • Charles Randolph-Wright
    Charles Randolph-Wright
    Ensemble
    (Original)
    One of "Little Albert and the Tru-Tones"
    (Original)
    One of "The Five Tuxedoes"
    (Original)
    One of "The James Early Band"
    (Original)
  • Larry Stewart
    Larry Stewart
    Ensemble
    (Original)
    Mr. Morgan
    (Original)
    One of "The Five Tuxedoes"
    (Original)
    The M.C.
    (Original)
  • Adriane Lenox
    Adriane Lenox
    Charlene
    (Replacement)
    Ensemble
    (Replacement)
    One of "Les Style"
    (Replacement)
  • Ronald "Smokey" Stevens
    Ronald "Smokey" Stevens
    Ensemble
    (Replacement)
    Mr. Morgan
    (Replacement)
    One of "The Five Tuxedoes"
    (Replacement)
    The M.C.
    (Replacement)
  • Bobby Daye
    Bobby Daye
    Ensemble
    (Replacement)
    One of "Little Albert and the Tru-Tones"
    (Replacement)
    One of "The Five Tuxedoes"
    (Replacement)
    One of "The James Early Band"
    (Replacement)
  • Sean Walker
    Sean Walker
    Ensemble
    (Replacement)
    One of "Little Albert and the Tru-Tones"
    (Replacement)
    One of "The James Early Band"
    (Replacement)
  • Richie Abanes
    Richie Abanes
    Ensemble
    (Replacement)
    One of "Little Albert and the Tru-Tones"
    (Replacement)
    One of "The Five Tuxedoes"
    (Replacement)
    One of "The James Early Band"
    (Replacement)
  • Tim Millett
    Tim Millett
    Ensemble
    (Replacement)
    One of "The James Early Band"
    (Replacement)
  • Hal Miller
    Hal Miller
    Ensemble
    (Replacement)
    Film Executive
    (Replacement)
  • Barry Bruce
    Barry Bruce
    Ensemble
    (Replacement)
    One of "Little Albert and the Tru-Tones"
    (Replacement)
    One of "The Five Tuxedoes"
    (Replacement)
    One of "The James Early Band"
    (Replacement)
  • Nina Hennessey
    Nina Hennessey
    Ensemble
    (Replacement)
    One of "The Sweethearts"
    (Replacement)
  • Gina Taylor
    Gina Taylor
    Ensemble
    (Replacement)
    One of "The Stepp Sisters"
    (Replacement)
  • Allison Williams
    Allison Williams
    Ensemble
    (Replacement)
    Joanne
    (Replacement)
    One of "Les Style"
    (Replacement)
  • Eric Riley
    Eric Riley
    Ensemble
    (Replacement)
    Film Executive
    (Replacement)
    One of "Little Albert and the Tru-Tones"
    (Replacement)
    One of "The Five Tuxedoes"
    (Replacement)
    One of "The James Early Band"
    (Replacement)
  • Lee Summers
    Lee Summers
    Mr. Morgan
    (Replacement)
    The M.C.
    (Replacement)
View All Current Cast
  • Deborah Burrell
    Deborah Burrell
    Michelle Morris
    (Original)
    One of "The Stepp Sisters"
    (Original)
  • Cheryl Alexander
    Cheryl Alexander
    Charlene
    (Original)
    Ensemble
    (Original)
    One of "Les Style"
    (Original)
  • Vanessa Bell
    Vanessa Bell
    One of "The Stepp Sisters"
    (Original)
    Ensemble
    (Original)
  • Charles Bernard
    Charles Bernard
    Ensemble
    (Original)
    One of "Little Albert and the Tru-Tones"
    (Original)
    One of "The Five Tuxedoes"
    (Original)
    One of "The James Early Band"
    (Original)
  • Paul Binotto
    Paul Binotto
    Dave
    (Original)
    Ensemble
    (Original)
    Film Executive
    (Original)
  • Candy Darling
    Candy Darling
    Ensemble
    (Original)
    One of "The Sweethearts"
    (Original)
  • Tenita Jordan
    Tenita Jordan
    Ensemble
    (Original)
    One of "Les Style"
    (Original)
    One of "The Stepp Sisters"
    (Original)
  • Linda Lloyd
    Linda Lloyd
    Ensemble
    (Original)
    Joanne
    (Original)
    One of "Les Style"
    (Original)
  • Joe Lynn
    Joe Lynn
    Ensemble
    (Original)
    Jerry
    (Original)
    Tiny Joe Dixon
    (Original)
  • Jamie Patterson
    Jamie Patterson
    Ensemble
    (Original)
    One of "Little Albert and the Tru-Tones"
    (Original)
    One of "The Five Tuxedoes"
    (Original)
    One of "The James Early Band"
    (Original)
  • Wellington Perkins
    Wellington Perkins
    Ensemble
    (Original)
    One of "Little Albert and the Tru-Tones"
    (Original)
    One of "The James Early Band"
    (Original)
  • Scott Plank
    Scott Plank
    Ensemble
    (Original)
    Film Executive
    (Original)
    One of "The James Early Band"
    (Original)
  • Brenda Pressley
    Brenda Pressley
    Ensemble
    (Original)
    One of "Les Style"
    (Original)
    One of "The Stepp Sisters"
    (Original)
  • Charles Randolph-Wright
    Charles Randolph-Wright
    Ensemble
    (Original)
    One of "Little Albert and the Tru-Tones"
    (Original)
    One of "The Five Tuxedoes"
    (Original)
    One of "The James Early Band"
    (Original)
  • Larry Stewart
    Larry Stewart
    Ensemble
    (Original)
    Mr. Morgan
    (Original)
    One of "The Five Tuxedoes"
    (Original)
    The M.C.
    (Original)
  • Weyman Thompson
    Weyman Thompson
    Ensemble
    (Original)
    Film Executive
    (Original)
    One of "Little Albert and the Tru-Tones"
    (Original)
    One of "The Five Tuxedoes"
    (Original)
    One of "The James Early Band"
    (Original)
View All Cast
View All Production Team

Pro Info

  • First Preview
    Dec 9 1981
  • Opening Date
    Dec 20 1981
  • Closing Date
    Aug 11 1985
  • Previews
    10
  • Performances
    1,521 as of Dec 21, 2024

Inside The Playbill

Dreamgirls - Dec 1981
Dreamgirls - Dec 1981
Dreamgirls - Dec 1981
Dreamgirls - Dec 1981
Dreamgirls - Dec 1981
Dreamgirls - Dec 1981
Dreamgirls - Dec 1981
Dreamgirls - Dec 1981
Dreamgirls - Dec 1981
Dreamgirls - Dec 1981
Dreamgirls - Dec 1981
Dreamgirls - Dec 1981
Dreamgirls - Dec 1981
Dreamgirls - Dec 1981
Dreamgirls - Dec 1981
Dreamgirls - Dec 1981
Dreamgirls - Dec 1981
Dreamgirls - Dec 1981
Dreamgirls - Dec 1981
Dreamgirls - Dec 1981
Dreamgirls - Dec 1981
Dreamgirls - Dec 1981
Dreamgirls - Dec 1981
Dreamgirls - Dec 1981

Awards

Drama Desk Award
1982 Outstanding Costume Design Nominee
1982 Outstanding Lighting Design Winner
1982 Outstanding Set Design Winner
1982 Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical Nominee
1982 Outstanding Lyrics Nominee
1982 Outstanding Director of a Musical Nominee
1982 Outstanding Musical Nominee
1982 Outstanding Actress in a Musical Winner
1982 Outstanding Actress in a Musical Nominee
1982 Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical Winner
Theatre World Awards
1982 Theatre World Award Winner
Tony Award
1982 Best Choreography Winner
1982 Scenic Design (Play or Musical) Nominee
1982 Best Actor in a Musical Winner
1982 Best Actress in a Musical Winner
1982 Best Actress in a Musical Nominee
1982 Best Book of a Musical Winner
1982 Costume Design (Play or Musical) Nominee
1982 Best Direction of a Musical Nominee
1982 Best Featured Actor in a Musical Winner
1982 Best Featured Actor in a Musical Nominee
1982 Lighting Design (Play or Musical) Winner
1982 Best Original Score Nominee
1982 Musical Nominee

Other Broadway Productions

  • Dreamgirls
    Dreamgirls - Jun 28, 1987
    Ambassador Theatre (Revival)
  • Pb Listing Placeholder BROADWAY V4
    Dreamgirls - Sep 24, 2001
    Ford Center for the Performing Arts (Revival)
Photos
Dream_Girls_Original_Broadway_Production_07_HR
Dreamgirls_Broadway_Production Photos_1987_Alisa Gyse, Arnetia Walker, and Lillias White_HR
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Videos
B33c2a00c582410a4e447fc6254b3356
54ea68ffd2601ac672b3539199a5afaf
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Shows That Opened That Season: 1981–1982

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