Davis got raves as the spurned singer in Dreamgirls in a West Coast co-production that played Seattle, San Jose and Sacramento. Her version of "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" has been a hit for her since her days on "Idol," the TV talent contest. Now, her Effie inches closer to New York in a run at Pittsburgh CLO in Pennsylvania, Aug. 10-22.

At the Benedum Center, Davis will be joined by Vanita Harbour as Deena Jones, Norm Lewis as Curtis Taylor Jr. and Manoly Farrell as Michelle.

"Although casting for Dreamgirls and the remainder of the Pittsburgh CLO Summer Season continues, we just couldn't wait to give audiences a preview of the gifted performers who have already joined the cast of this exciting production," CLO's executive producer, Van Kaplan, said in a statement.

To read a Playbill interview with Frenchie Davis about her earlier work in Dreamgirls, Click Here.

A separate Broadway revival of the soap-operatic Motown musical is in the works. *

The 2004 Pittsburgh CLO season, June 15-Aug. 22, includes The King and I (June 15-20), 1776 (June 25-July 3), The Music Man (July 6-18), Hello, Dolly! (July 20-Aug. 1), Me and My Girl (Aug. 3-8) and Dreamgirls (Aug. 10-22).

For information, call (412) 281-2822 or visit PittsburghCLO.org.