Dreamgirls is set to officially open at the famed Harlem venue Nov. 22 and will run through Dec. 6, prior to embarking on a national tour. Tony nominee Robert Longbottom (Side Show, Flower Drum Song) directs and choreographs the production, which features additional choreography by Emmy-nominated hip-hop artist Shane Sparks.
As previously reported, Moya Angela will head the cast as Effie White, with "American Idol" finalist Syesha Mercado as Deena Jones, Adrienne Warren as Lorrell Robinson and Margaret Hoffman as Michelle Morris. Principal casting also includes Chaz Lamar Shepherd as Curtis Taylor, Jr., Chester Gregory as James "Thunder" Early, Trevon Davis as C.C. White and Milton Craig Nealy as Marty Madison.
The ensemble will comprise Tallia Brinson, Felicia Boswell, Patrice Covington, Ronald Duncan, Talitha Farrow, Brittney Griffin, James Harkness, Robert Hartwell, Eric Jackson, Chauncey Jenkins, Jared Joseph, Nikki Kimbrough, Brittany Lewis, Douglas Lyons, Kimberly Marable, Jarran Muse, Amaker Smith and Marc Spaulding.
The tour itinerary for Dreamgirls follows:
New York, NY (Nov. 7-Dec. 6 at the Apollo Theatre)
Baltimore, MD (Dec. 16-27 at the Hippodrome Theatre)
Pittsburgh, PA (Dec. 29-Jan. 3, 2010 at Heinz Hall)
Milwaukee, WI (Jan. 5-10, 2010 at the Marcus Center)
Minneapolis, MN (Jan. 12-17, 2010 at the Orpheum Theatre)
Chicago, IL (Jan. 19-31, 2010 at the Cadillac Palace Theatre)
Boston, MA (Feb. 2-14, 2010 at the Colonial Theatre)
Columbus, OH (Feb. 16-21, 2010 at the Palace Theatre)
Los Angeles, CA (Feb. 25-April 4, 2010 at the Ahmanson Theatre)
Seattle, WA (April 6-11, 2010 at the Paramount Theater)
Portland, OR (April 13-18, 2010 at the Keller Auditorium)
Costa Mesa, CA (April 20-May 2, 2010 at the Orange County PAC)
Cincinnati, OH (June 8-20, 2010 at the Aronoff Center)
Philadelphia, PA (June 22-27, 2010 at the Kimmel Center) Dreamgirls features music by Henry Krieger and book and lyrics by Tom Eyen. The late Michael Bennett directed and choreographed the original Broadway production; Bennett won a Tony Award for the show's choreography. The new production will also incorporate the song "Listen" from the award-winning 2006 film.
Tony Award winner Robin Wagner, who created the scenic designs for the original Broadway production of Dreamgirls, renders new designs for the production. The design team also boasts Tony winners William Ivey Long (costume design) and Ken Billington (lighting design).
For tickets to the New York engagement, ranging $36-$106, visit TicketmasterApollo, phone (212) 302-0995, or visit the Apollo box office at 253 W. 125th Street, between Adam Clayton Powell Blvd. and Frederick Douglass Blvd.
For further information visit DreamgirlsOnStage.
