Overview
Synopsis
Inspired by Motown and R&B legends of the 1960s-70s, Dreamgirls follows the rising stardom of the Dreamettes, an all-girl singing trio from Chicago. The three best friends—the phenomenally talented, but demanding Effie White, the beautiful and appealing Deena Jones, and the eager, romantic Lorrell Robinson—team up with driven, demanding manager Curtis Taylor, who is determined to see their—and his—star rise. As their careers begin to take off, changes are made to ensure their mass appeal to the pop market. Egos are bruised, tempers flare, and hearts are broken in pursuit of stardom. Inspired by the stories of groups such as The Supremes and The Shirelles and featuring many iconic classic songs, Dreamgirls is a love letter to American R&B music and the artists that make such music great.
Show Information
- Book
- Tom Eyen
- Music
- Henry Krieger
- Lyrics
- Tom Eyen
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 1981
- Genres
- Drama
- Settings
- Contemporary, Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- Various cities throughout the U.S., 1960s-1970s
- Cast Size
- large
- Orchestra Size
- Rock Combo
- Dancing
- Musical Staging
- Licensor
- Concord Theatricals
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, Diverse Cast, High School, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Young Adult, Adult Characters, Large Cast
Context
Dreamgirls was first conceived by playwright Tom Eyen and conductor Henry Krieger as a vehicle for singer-actress Nell Carter. The duo set out to create a musical focusing on African-American back-up singers during the rise of Motown. During early workshops, the musical was given the working title Project #9. It was workshopped for Joseph Papp at the Public Theatre in 1978. The first incarnation of the musical starred Carter (Effie), Sheryl Lee Ralph (Deena) and Loretta Devine (Lorrell),
to read the context for Dreamgirls and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
ACT ONE
It’s Amateur Night at the famed Apollo Theatre. Hopeful up-and-comers compete to be the audience’s favorite: The Stepp Sisters, Little Albert & the Tru-Tones, and heavy favorite, Tiny Joe Dixon (“I’m Looking for Something Baby,” “Goin’ Downtown,” “Tiny Joe Dixon”). After the winner is announced, the evening will be capped off with a performance by popular soul singer, James “Thunder” Early.
Backstage is chaos. Jimmy Early’s two female backup singers quit on his manager, Marty.
to read the plot for Dreamgirls and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass, Bass-Baritone |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass, Bass-Baritone |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass, Bass-Baritone |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass, Bass-Baritone |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass, Bass-Baritone |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass, Bass-Baritone |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass, Bass-Baritone |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass, Bass-Baritone |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass, Bass-Baritone |
Songs
ACT ONE
- I’m Lookin’ for Something - The Stepp Sisters, Marty, and Company
- Goin’ Downtown - Little Albert & the Tru-Tones
- Takin’ the Long Way Home - Tiny Joe Dixon
- Move (You’re Steppin’ on My Heart) - Effie, Deena, and Lorrell
- Fake Your Way to the Top - Jimmy, Effie, Deena, and Lorrell
- Cadillac Car - Curtis, Jimmy, C.C., Marty, Effie, Deena and Lorrell
- Cadillac Car (On the Road) - Ensemble
- Cadillac Car (In the Recording Studio) - Jimmy, Effie, Deena, and Lorrell
- Cadillac Car (Reprise) - Dave and the Sweethearts
- Steppin’ to the Bad Side - Curtis, Jimmy, C.C., Wayne, Lorrell, Effie, Deena, and Ensemble
- Party, Party - Effie, Curtis, Jimmy, Lorrell, and Ensemble
- I Want You Baby - Jimmy, Effie, Deena, and Lorrell
- Family - Effie, C.C., Jimmy, Lorrell, Curtis, and Deena
- Dreamgirls - Deena, Lorrell, and Effie
- Press Conference - Deena, Curtis, and Ensemble
- Heavy/Stop Bringing Us Down - Deena, Lorrell, Effie, and Curtis
- Drivin’ Down the Strip - Jimmy
- It’s All Over - Effie, Curtis, C.C., Deena, Lorrell, Jimmy, and Michelle
- And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going - Effie
- Love Love You Baby - Deena, Lorrell, and Michelle
ACT TWO
- Act II Opening* - Deena, Lorrell, Michelle, Curtis, C.C., and Jimmy
- I Am Changing - Effie
- One More Picture Please - Lorrell, Michelle, C.C., Curtis, and Ensemble
- When I First Saw You - Curtis and Deena
- Got to Be Good Times - The Five Tuxedos
- Ain’t No Party - Lorrell and Jimmy
- I Meant You No Harm - Jimmy, Lorrell, Deena, C.C., and Michelle
- The Rap - Jimmy
- Firing of Jimmy - Jimmy, Curtis, Lorrell, and Ensemble
- I Miss You Old Friend - Les Styles, Marty, C.C., and Effie
- One Night Only - Effie and Ensemble
- One Night Only (Disco) - Deena, Lorrell, Michelle, Curtis, and Ensemble
- I’m Somebody - Deena, Lorrell, and Michelle
- Chicago/Faith in Myself - Effie, C.C., Curtis, Deena, and Marty
- Listen** - Deena and Effie
- Hard to Say Goodbye, My Love - Deena, Lorrell, and Michelle
- Dreamgirls (Reprise) - Effie, Deena, Lorrell, and Michelle
*“Act II Opening” is a medley of Dreamgirls songs. In the original production, the medley consisted of “Dreamgirls,” “Move (You’re Steppin’ on My Heart),” “Love Love Me Baby,” “Family,” “Heavy,” and “Cadillac Car” performed by Deena Jones and the Dreams and the ensemble. For the 1983 first national tour, the medley was changed to feature “Dreamgirls” and a new song, “Step on Over.” For the 2009 national tour, a new song, “What Love Can Do,” was paired with “Step on Over” for the second act opening. For the 2016 West End revival, “Act II Opening” was modified again to include a full-length reprisal of “Love Love Me Baby.”
**“Listen” was originally written for the 2006 film adaptation of Dreamgirls. It was added to the 2009 revival and 2016 West End production.
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
A show-stopping song that occurs late in the second half and signifies a lead character's realization, change of heart, or another big moment.
A traditional genre of Christian music.
A type of song, usually early in the musical, in which the protagonist expresses their desires. The "I Want" song establishes the character's objectives.
A style of R & B music named after the Motown record company, located in Detroit.
A genre of music that developed in African-American communities in the 1940s, inspired by jazz, and important in the foundations of rock and roll music.
A sad or sentimental song, typically about unrequited love.
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