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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
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
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

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Deena Jones

Lead

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Lorrell Robinson

Lead

Female

Soprano

Curtis Taylor, Jr.

Lead

Male

Tenor, Baritone

James "Thunder" Early

Lead

Male

Tenor

C.C. White

Lead

Male

Tenor

Effie White

Lead

Female

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano

Michelle Morris

Supporting

Female

Soprano

Marty Madison

Supporting

Male

Baritone

Wayne

Supporting

Male

Tenor, Baritone, Bass, Bass-Baritone

Frank

Featured

Male

Tenor, Baritone, Bass, Bass-Baritone

Jerry Norman

Featured

Male

Tenor, Baritone, Bass, Bass-Baritone

Dwight

Featured

Male

Tenor, Baritone, Bass, Bass-Baritone

Stage Manager

Featured

Male

Tenor, Baritone, Bass, Bass-Baritone

Joann

Featured

Female

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto

M.C.

Featured

Male

Tenor, Baritone, Bass, Bass-Baritone

Mr. Morgan

Featured

Male

Tenor, Baritone, Bass, Bass-Baritone

Security Guard

Featured

Male

Tenor, Baritone, Bass, Bass-Baritone

Charlene

Featured

Female

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto

Ensemble

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

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Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

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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