Theater Review: "Dream Girls" at Goodspeed Musicals

Review by Nancy Sasso Janis

Goodspeed Musicals has produced a sparkling production of “Dreamgirls The Musical.” Michael Fling, Artistic Associate at Goodspeed, notes in the program for the show that Goodspeed is “the envy of the entire country with the A-list team creating this…revival for the ages.”

The musical, which is celebrating forty years, has a book and lyrics by Tom Eyen and music by Henry Krieger. Lili-Anne Brown, a Chicago South Side native, directs what she deems a “seminal show about the Black American experience that was written and developed entirely without Black people.”

Her director’s vision is to focus on the reclamation of this story, allowing actors, designers and technicians a say in the sound, the look and feel of the show. The result, she hopes, is “a pop opera that goes a bit deeper than you might expect,” focusing on the personal journeys in the story about the rise to fame of a 1960s Motown girl group “The Dreams.”

Brown wanted audiences to be able to “still get to enjoy the sizzling music and sumptuous period clothing” and both are definitely in the forefront of the Goodspeed production. I am not familiar enough with the details of the traditional version of this show, that was originally titled “One Night Only,” to notice any major changes to the script, although the characters did seem well-drawn.

The director’s vision also focused on casting actors who happen to sing and dance. This is a strong Equity cast that brings the eight named characters to life, supported by a great ensemble. The Equity singer/dancers who perform the choreography by Breon Arzell include Arnold Harper II, Alia Hodge, Alfred E. Jackson, Diva LaMarr, Melanie Loren, Kwamie M. Remy, Aalon Smith, Montria Walker and Jalisa Williams.

New York based Trejah Bostic plays the iconic role of the plus-sized lead singer Effie White with plenty of emotion and strong vocals. Jos N. Bank, a performer from Chicago, portrays Effie’s brother, the composer CC, with plenty of charm.

Keirsten Hodgens (“SIX” on Broadway) makes her Goodspeed debut in the role of Dreams member Lorrell Robinson. Mykal Kilgore takes on the important role of the R & B singer James "Thunder" Early. Robert Cornelius makes his Goodspeed debut in the role of Jimmy’s manager Marty and does well.

Evan Tyrone Martin ( “An Unforgettable Nat King Cole Christmas” at Goodspeed) returns to play Curtis Taylor, Jr., a car salesman who becomes the Dreams’ pushy manager. Ta-Tynisa Wilson, who made her Broadway debut as a standby Schuyler Sister in “Hamilton,” makes her Goodspeed debut in the role of the lovely Deena Jones, the character that was originally played by Sheryl Lee Ralph. Shantel Cribbs steps up from the ensemble to play the replacement Dreams member Michelle.

Scenic design by Arizona State University professor Arnel Sancianco is splashy when it needs to be and quieter for the backstage scenes. Co-lighting design by Adam Honore and Jason Lynch was very impressive from our balcony seats, which also allowed us a good view of the talented musicians in the orchestra pit. We could watch the beautiful music direction by Christie Chiles Twillie, especially during “Steppin to the Bad Side.” The music director led the seven other musicians on keyboard 1 in her Goodspeed debut. Twillie will be music directing the upcoming production of “Dreamgirls” at the McCarter Theatre Center. This group covered the extensive score well.

The ever-changing costumes are definitely sumptuous ensembles from the period and all are well-fitting. The over-the-top gowns and feather boas that the girl group wear for their performances are gorgeous, while the street clothes worn by the characters are just as carefully designed, adding to the authenticity of the era. The passage of time from the sixties to the seventies is equally reflected in the hair and wig design by Earon Chew Nealey.

Overall, this is a very good production of the mostly sung-through musical. “Dreamgirls” must close on Dec 30. Tickets may be ordered at https://bit.ly/3T60HtQ

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theater reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, and she posts well over 100 reviews each year. She became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle in 2016. Her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted in the Naugatuck Patch as well as the Patch sites closest to the venue. She is also a feature writer and theater reviewer for the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column IN THE WINGS and theater reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the paper.

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