Dreamgirls
Dallas Summer Musicals
By: John Strange
There are millions out there who know the full story of “Dreamgirls”. I have to admit I was not one of them. Due to one thing or another I have never gotten around to seeing the film. I only knew it revolved around a girl group and their dream of fame and fortune in the 1960’s who travel from Chicago to New York City to enter a talent show at the world famous Apollo Theater. We have smarmy promoters and egotistical male singers with a strong story wrapping their individual tales into a central theme that is an amazing story of pain and work leading to success and happiness.
Music by Academy Award nominee Henry Krieger and book and lyrics by Tony and Grammy-Award winner Tom Eyen are wrapped around a minimalist set utilizing panels of LED’s that actually enhance the visual thrill that is live theater. I was very impressed by the skill used to integrate these panels with the few set pieces. They simulate the Apollo Theater, various theaters around the world and even to show the group traveling.
I wish the sound system had lived up to the set. The spoken word was reasonably clear but the lyrics in the songs were so blurred by the music that I could barely discern what those words were. And not knowing the full story made it even worse. I had to strain to make out the words and lost much of the pleasure I had expected to have. I asked a fellow reviewer at Intermission and was told that even in the rows closer to stage the words were fuzzy.
If the technical crews are able to correct this problem I would say that this is an excellent show to see. I will update this review once I have a chance to talk to them about the problem.
Directed and Choreographed by: Robert Longbottom
Starring:Moya Angela, Syesha Mercado, Chaz Lamar Shepherd, Chester Gregory, Adrienne Warren, Trevon Davis
Dallas Show Dates and Times:
July 4th – July 16th
Tues-Sat: 8pm
Matinees:
Sat-Sun: 2pm (plus Thurs, July 15th)
Run Time: 2 hours 30 minutes, 1 Intermission
Appropriateness Rating: "PG-13. Some language and subject matter”
