08/20/2023
https://youtu.be/EvOqYbYnZgY?si=JqN0ZKb2Mi2h_9Zu
Breaking down every secret in the Fionna & Cake trailer! Dive deep into our analysis, discover the hidden theories, and unveil the mysteries. We'll help expl...
Roz Ryan
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This is the Official "ROZ RYAN LIVES LIFE" Information Page …… Photos , Info, Blogs, Questions,
08/02/2023
Hanging with my ❤️POSSE 💜 Ain’t nothing like good good Sista Friends and Vegas Fun
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣❤️❤️❤️❤️😎😎🥰💜💙💙
05/29/2023
The last few years have taught me that when it is our time to leave this world no one can stop it. We have one life to live. The material things we invest in are left behind only to be discarded. Memories are important to me. I'm going to start a "reunion of friends". The idea is to see who reads a post without a picture. If no one reads my post, this will be a very short experiment. But if you are reading this message, make a comment using a single word about how we met. After that copy this message on your wall and I will also leave you a word. Please, don't leave a word and then not bother doing it --honestly most of ya won't & it doesn't matter. But let’s go. Personally, my family and friends are most important.
05/13/2023
Memories like the corners of my mind ❤️. What a defining time in my life. This show changed the course of my career and my entire life 🙏🏾. Thank you ❤️ Ed Weinberger Rueben Cannon NBC Brandon Tarticoff Sherman Hemsley
RIH Germ and Poppy 🙏🏾❤️🥰😇
32 years ago today, May 11, 1991, the final episode of Amen aired. Produced by Carson Productions that ran from September 27, 1986 to May 11, 1991 on NBC. Set in Sherman Hemsley's real-life hometown of Philadelphia, Amen stars Hemsley as the deacon of a church and was part of a wave of successful sitcoms on NBC in the 1980s which featured predominantly black casts – others included The Cosby Show, A Different World, and 227.
The series revolves around Ernest Frye, a deacon of the First Community Church of Philadelphia, who also works as a lawyer. He is often dishonest and frequently gets into trouble with his many harebrained schemes. Frye has a single daughter named Thelma. Reuben Gregory is the new, young pastor of the church, and also the object of Thelma's affection. The two get married during season four, despite the fact that Gregory and Frye often butt heads. In the series finale, Thelma gives birth to the couple's first child.
03/23/2023
Please stop these “I know I’m ugly”posts with these unfortunately challanged photos of people with struggles. We can love and support them without referring to them as “ugly” What’s ugly is using the word ugly to get likes. They are all beautiful. You who are posting with the “ugly” hook are really what’s ugly. Stop it!!!!!!!!!!!
03/22/2023
Throwback then and now 💋
03/03/2023
Water 💦 is Music 🎼 Music is fluid 💧. And 🏊🏽♀️
02/14/2023
Ya’ll ready. ? Feb 26, and always
02/10/2023
🎬 February 26 on see a delightful movie 🎥
02/03/2023
Booked and Busy 🙏🏾 Thank you GOD ❤️
As Mickey and friends sit crafting, Daisy is intrigued by her friends' whistling, which she cannot do. Roz Ryan & Lillias White reprise their roles as The ...
01/12/2023
01/06/2023
https://youtu.be/bDT-
TBT Wow this just popped up Freda Payne 🎶❤️🍾. I was in Australia. Freda was in LA. Technology is a beast 🎤 . Rahn Coleman and UZO
Begin Today－Roz Ryan & Freda Payne－第一興商CM－1994
12/08/2018
Last Nights Situation ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️So much real love and fun at 🤣. Old friends. New friends. Just having a good time sharing this delightful play and knowing that we are touching hearts and tickling funny bones. Last two shows tonight and tomorrow afternoon. Better come get you some 😘
12/02/2018
Two Sisters Talking and lots of Sisters showed up and a good time was had by all v🤣👍🏽🎭. Oh and some Bruthas came to. It’s a good time for everybody. “TWO SISTERS TALKING”. Written by Emmy Award Winner ED WEINBERGER starring ROZ RYAN & ANNA MARIA HORSFORD. At THE MATRIX THEATRE @7657 Melrose Ave LOS ANGELES Ca 90046
11/14/2018
11/14/2018
11/13/2018
This is happening people. These 3 together again: Roz Ryan and Anna Maria Horsford in a funny endearing play written by Emmy Award Winner Ed. Weinberger “Amen and Good News”. This is a beautiful touching story of two Sisters that is also FUNEEEEEEE 🤣.
Come and let us charm you and keep you laughing.
Tickets can be purchased by calling (323) 960-4420
Or go to
WWW.PLAYS411.COM/TALKING
Group Tickets Available
November 28-December 9, 2018
03/30/2018
On April 30 The NY Pops will be celebrating The One and Only Musical Guru Alan Menkin Alan Menken Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame Carnegie Hall and his Muses will be there Sangin for/to him 🎼 🎼🎤🎹🎷🎻🎺
Exciting news! Kerry Butler, Cheryl Freeman, Roz Ryan, Vaneese Thomas, and Lillias White will join the cast of PART OF HIS WORLD: THE SONGS OF Alan Menken at Carnegie Hall on April 30! Full cast and ticket info at http://newyorkpops.org/the-new-york-pops-35th-birthday-gala
02/15/2018
Hey Babies, My Kids are doing an awesome event in the L.A. area if your available. The on FEB. 17th 2018 at / CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL of Los Angeles. They're want us to Celebrate Those That Are Here and Loved & Honor The Children And Friends (like & ) that We Have Lost...
I want you to donate blood or platelets or bring an unwrapped toy. So go play some Videogames in the lounge and Swag Suite, presented by and (and more) and donate the most ethnically diverse blood in a 5+ hour period... I believe we can change KIDS lives.
Please contact Mr. George Meridia inside the Blood/Platelets donor center at CHLA 323.361.2441 to pre register or for detailed info like: what do you need to prep or what stuff not to take/eat prior to coming.
"The 2017 Annual was a success, but 2018 is gonna be BiGGER... "
09/09/2017
Memories of Asia tour of Chicago The Musical Chicago The Musical
08/20/2017
Chicago The Musical in 🇹🇼 Taiwan. Last stop on the International 2017 Tour. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽🇹🇼
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Dn7NIqS1LlY&feature=youtu.be
http://www.cwntp.net/2017/08/cwntp-20_16.html 【CWNTP 應瑋漢 [email protected]】《芝加哥》音樂劇，是百老匯最著名的音樂劇之一。1975年於紐約首演後，便受到各界關注，期間受邀至全球34國，超過423座城市巡演，觀賞人次突破2,200萬！19...
08/15/2017
The Current Situation here In Taipei Reharsal is up for opening night
08/14/2017
Our last show in Tokyo. After show before party fans waiting outside as Benn Jones Amra-Faye Wright and I sign autographs.... Our Japanese friends and fans are the best. 🇯🇵❤️😘💋. What you got Taiwan 🇹🇼
07/24/2017
The Current Situation. Last night we closed Chicago The Musical at Blue Square 블루스퀘어 her in Korea and sometimes things change but it always comes back to these three Divas ❤️❤️❤️❤️🎼🎹🎤🎭
This dynamic trio shall continue the journey soon! I love you and !!! 💋💋
Next stop for me Tokyo on Mon open Wed 🎼🎭💋
06/10/2017
The Current Situation
The Musical
20th Anniversary Cell Block Tour 2017 celebrating 100 performances currently in Seoul Korea
06/09/2017
https://instagram.com/p/BUuFPFPljkA/
36 Likes, 9 Comments - Sopia () on Instagram: “5/30(화) 시카고 오리지널 내한공연 . 커튼콜 끝나고 막 내리기 전 촬영가능 오케스트라 지휘자님이 제일 신난듯ㅋㅋ 마마모튼역의 Roz Ryan 매력짱👍👍👍 VIP 14열…”
06/09/2017
Our band Chicago The Musical in Seoul Korea conducted by Maestro Rob Bowman 🎼. Absolutely Frickin Fantastic 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽. Yaaassss Cats and 🐱 Kittens. 🎼🎸🎺🎷🎹🥁🎤🎻🎭
06/05/2017
Nearing the end of our first successful week of shows, press events, Korean talk shows... all kinds of fun stuff here in Seoul! I believe these three vixens deserve a brewski.. or soju... or SUMPIN', don't cha think ladies??! 🤣✨✨✨ — at Blue Square 블루스퀘어.
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TWO SISTERS TALKING
Two Sisters Talking is a new play by Emmy Award winner Ed. Weinberger Starring Anna Maria Horsford and Roz Ryan @The Matrix Theatre 7657 Melrose Ave. LA Ca. 90046 Nov 28-Dec 9, 2018. For tickets go to www.PLAYS411.COM/TALKING
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WHAT’S HAPPENING BROADWAY FANS?!!! 14 DAYS left till Broadway's Biggest Night. The 75th Annual Tony Awards is almost here. We at New York Broadway Tours continue to play our favorite showstopping performances from previous telecasts coming your way on our TOP 50 TONY AWARDS COUNTDOWN. Live Theater is back, people!!! Are you ready for another powerhouse act?!!!
At # 14 on our countdown, we travel to Chicago in the 1960’s through the 1970’s. There, we meet an aspiring girl group that goes through the ultimate transformation into superstars. Along the way, they discover the drama that goes on when you’re dealing with the price of fame and how it affects their friendship and relationships. This is the legendary smash hit Dreamgirls. With music by Henry Krieger and lyrics and book by Tom Eyen, the show is loosely inspired by the story of Diana Ross and The Supremes and from the history of Motown and R&B.
From the 1982 telecast, the iconic Jennifer Holiday in her legendary performance as “Effie White” along with Ben Harney as “Curtis Taylor Jr.”, Obba Babatundé as “C.C. White” Sheryl Lee Ralph as “Deena Jones”, Loretta Devine as “Lorell Robinson”, Cleavant Derricks as “James “Thunder” Early”, and Deborah Brunell as “Michelle Morris” perform the big ACT 1 FINALE CLIMACTIC showdown confrontation scene. It consists of IT’S ALL OVER and the musical’s signature anthem AND I AM TELLING YOU I’M NOT GOING.
DREAMGIRLS was first conceived in the 1970’s as a project for actress Nell Carter. The show’s creators Harry Krieger and Tom Eyen previously worked together on a musical adaptation of Eyen’s play THE DIRTIEST SHOW IN TOWN. During that show, they were inspired by Carter in that. Their aim was to create a show all about black backup singers. The original title for the show was called ONE NIGHT ONLY (named after the song in the musical). It was workshopped for Joseph Papp but then was dropped when Nell Carter began working on the soap opera RYAN’S HOPE. A year later, the musical was put back on the table when it got the attention of acclaimed director and choreographer Michael Bennett (the genius behind the Tony and Pulitzer Prize winning A Chorus Line). From there, the show continued with 3 additional workshops entitled BIG DREAMS and then eventually what we know today as DREAMGIRLS. During those workshops, so much of the storyline, songs, dialogue, and casting for the role of “Effie White'' kept changing. One of the biggest early versions was that the role of “Effie '' initially dies at the end of Act 1 which did not impress Carter’s replacement Jennifer Holiday causing her to initially drop from the show. Carter later returned to the labs for the roles and then left again for her starring role on the NBC TV show GIMMIE A BREAK. With some of the changes improving in Act 1 and the expansion of “Effie”, Holiday returned to the labs but still focused on the role of “Deena Jones” (played by Sheryl Lee Ralph) causing her to quit again. Meanwhile the creative team continued working the script and after acquiring funding from music industry mogul David Geffen and fellow co-financiers ABC Entertainment, Metromedia, and The Shubert Organization, Michael Bennett brought Jennifer Holiday back in and made sure the 2nd act was rewritten and continued to build up the role of “Effie”.
The show officially arrived on Broadway in 1981 playing the Imperial Theatre running for 1,531 performances. Under the direction and choreography of Michael Bennett, the cast consisted of…
Tony winner Jennifer Holliday (later Julia McGirt, Roz Ryan, and Vanessa Townsell) as “Effie White”,
Tony nominee Sheryl Lee Ralph (later Linda Leilani Brown, and Susan Beaubian) as “Deena Jones”,
Loretta Devine (later Teresa Burnell) as “Lorell Robinson”,
Ben Harney (later Weyman Thompson) as “Curtis Taylor Jr.”,
Obba Babatunde (later Lawrence Clayton and Tony Franklin) as “C.C. White”,
Tony winner Cleavant Derricks (later David Alan Grier and Hinton Battle) as “James “Thunder” Early”,
and
Deborah Brunell as “Michelle Morris”.
It was nominated for 13 Tony Awards in 1982 winning 6 including BEST LEADING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL (for Jennifer Holiday).
DREAMGIRLS went on to tour all across America on and off. One of the most notable touring productions included a stop in New York’s Apollo Theater in Harlem back in 2009. Under the direction of Robert Longbottom, the cast featured…
Moya Angela as “Effie White”,
American Idol’s Syesha Mercado as “Deena Jones”,
Tony winner Adrienne Warren as “Lorell Robinson”,
Chaz Lamar Shepherd as “Curtis Taylor Jr.”,
Trevon Davis as “C.C. White”
Chester Gregory as “James “Thunder” Early”,
and
Margaret Hoffman as “Michelle Morris”.
The musical has been in talks since 2018 for plans to return to Broadway. That possible new Broadway revival is based on the show's world premiere UK production in London’s West End back in 207. Under the direction and choreography of Tony Award winner Casey Nicholaw, Dreamgirls ran at London’s Savoy Theatre for 2 ½ years. Talks were also being made for Glee favorite Amber Riley (who made her West End debut with the production) to reprise her Olivier Award winning performance as “Effie White”. No word has been announced for the official start date or what Broadway house it will be performed in.
In addition to its success on stage, DREAMGIRLS was a worldwide smash hit on the big screen. The film adaptation from Dreamworks Pictures was released in 2006. Under the direction of Bill Condon, the filmed featured an all-star cast consisting of….
Oscar, Golden Globe, and Grammy winner Jennifer Hudson as “Effie White”,
Grammy winner and Oscar nominee Beyoncé as “Deena Jones”,
Tony winner Anika Noni Rose as “Lorell Robinson”,
Oscar winner Jamie Foxx as “Curtis Taylor Jr.”,
Keith Robinson as “C.C. White”
Emmy and Golden Globe winner Eddie Murphy as “James “Thunder” Early”,
and
Sharon Leal as “Michelle Morris”
The film was nominated for 8 Oscars in 2007 winning 2 including BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS (for Jennifer Hudson for her iconic portrayal of Effie). The film also was nominated for 5 Golden Globes that same year winning 3 (including BEST MOTION PICTURE - MUSICAL OR COMEDY).
Today, there are still productions of Dreamgirls around the world.
Isn’t this the ultimate musical for standout powerhouse divas?
How iconic was that performance?
Who is anxiously awaiting the Broadway revival?!!
At # 14 on our countdown, we travel to Chicago in the 1960’s through the 1970’s. There, we meet an aspiring girl group that goes through the ultimate transformation into superstars. Along the way, they discover the drama that goes on when you’re dealing with the price of fame and how it affects their friendship and relationships. This is the legendary smash hit Dreamgirls. With music by Henry Krieger and lyrics and book by Tom Eyen, the show is loosely inspired by the story of Diana Ross and The Supremes and from the history of Motown and R&B.
From the 1982 telecast, the iconic Jennifer Holiday in her legendary performance as “Effie White” along with Ben Harney as “Curtis Taylor Jr.”, Obba Babatundé as “C.C. White” Sheryl Lee Ralph as “Deena Jones”, Loretta Devine as “Lorell Robinson”, Cleavant Derricks as “James “Thunder” Early”, and Deborah Brunell as “Michelle Morris” perform the big ACT 1 FINALE CLIMACTIC showdown confrontation scene. It consists of IT’S ALL OVER and the musical’s signature anthem AND I AM TELLING YOU I’M NOT GOING.
DREAMGIRLS was first conceived in the 1970’s as a project for actress Nell Carter. The show’s creators Harry Krieger and Tom Eyen previously worked together on a musical adaptation of Eyen’s play THE DIRTIEST SHOW IN TOWN. During that show, they were inspired by Carter in that. Their aim was to create a show all about black backup singers. The original title for the show was called ONE NIGHT ONLY (named after the song in the musical). It was workshopped for Joseph Papp but then was dropped when Nell Carter began working on the soap opera RYAN’S HOPE. A year later, the musical was put back on the table when it got the attention of acclaimed director and choreographer Michael Bennett (the genius behind the Tony and Pulitzer Prize winning A Chorus Line). From there, the show continued with 3 additional workshops entitled BIG DREAMS and then eventually what we know today as DREAMGIRLS. During those workshops, so much of the storyline, songs, dialogue, and casting for the role of “Effie White'' kept changing. One of the biggest early versions was that the role of “Effie '' initially dies at the end of Act 1 which did not impress Carter’s replacement Jennifer Holiday causing her to initially drop from the show. Carter later returned to the labs for the roles and then left again for her starring role on the NBC TV show GIMMIE A BREAK. With some of the changes improving in Act 1 and the expansion of “Effie”, Holiday returned to the labs but still focused on the role of “Deena Jones” (played by Sheryl Lee Ralph) causing her to quit again. Meanwhile the creative team continued working the script and after acquiring funding from music industry mogul David Geffen and fellow co-financiers ABC Entertainment, Metromedia, and The Shubert Organization, Michael Bennett brought Jennifer Holiday back in and made sure the 2nd act was rewritten and continued to build up the role of “Effie”.
The show officially arrived on Broadway in 1981 playing the Imperial Theatre running for 1,531 performances. Under the direction and choreography of Michael Bennett, the cast consisted of…
Tony winner Jennifer Holliday (later Julia McGirt, Roz Ryan, and Vanessa Townsell) as “Effie White”,
Tony nominee Sheryl Lee Ralph (later Linda Leilani Brown, and Susan Beaubian) as “Deena Jones”,
Loretta Devine (later Teresa Burnell) as “Lorell Robinson”,
Ben Harney (later Weyman Thompson) as “Curtis Taylor Jr.”,
Obba Babatunde (later Lawrence Clayton and Tony Franklin) as “C.C. White”,
Tony winner Cleavant Derricks (later David Alan Grier and Hinton Battle) as “James “Thunder” Early”,
and
Deborah Brunell as “Michelle Morris”.
It was nominated for 13 Tony Awards in 1982 winning 6 including BEST LEADING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL (for Jennifer Holiday).
DREAMGIRLS went on to tour all across America on and off. One of the most notable touring productions included a stop in New York’s Apollo Theater in Harlem back in 2009. Under the direction of Robert Longbottom, the cast featured…
Moya Angela as “Effie White”,
American Idol’s Syesha Mercado as “Deena Jones”,
Tony winner Adrienne Warren as “Lorell Robinson”,
Chaz Lamar Shepherd as “Curtis Taylor Jr.”,
Trevon Davis as “C.C. White”
Chester Gregory as “James “Thunder” Early”,
and
Margaret Hoffman as “Michelle Morris”.
The musical has been in talks since 2018 for plans to return to Broadway. That possible new Broadway revival is based on the show's world premiere UK production in London’s West End back in 207. Under the direction and choreography of Tony Award winner Casey Nicholaw, Dreamgirls ran at London’s Savoy Theatre for 2 ½ years. Talks were also being made for Glee favorite Amber Riley (who made her West End debut with the production) to reprise her Olivier Award winning performance as “Effie White”. No word has been announced for the official start date or what Broadway house it will be performed in.
In addition to its success on stage, DREAMGIRLS was a worldwide smash hit on the big screen. The film adaptation from Dreamworks Pictures was released in 2006. Under the direction of Bill Condon, the filmed featured an all-star cast consisting of….
Oscar, Golden Globe, and Grammy winner Jennifer Hudson as “Effie White”,
Grammy winner and Oscar nominee Beyoncé as “Deena Jones”,
Tony winner Anika Noni Rose as “Lorell Robinson”,
Oscar winner Jamie Foxx as “Curtis Taylor Jr.”,
Keith Robinson as “C.C. White”
Emmy and Golden Globe winner Eddie Murphy as “James “Thunder” Early”,
and
Sharon Leal as “Michelle Morris”
The film was nominated for 8 Oscars in 2007 winning 2 including BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS (for Jennifer Hudson for her iconic portrayal of Effie). The film also was nominated for 5 Golden Globes that same year winning 3 (including BEST MOTION PICTURE - MUSICAL OR COMEDY).
Today, there are still productions of Dreamgirls around the world.
Isn’t this the ultimate musical for standout powerhouse divas?
How iconic was that performance?
Who is anxiously awaiting the Broadway revival?!!
"We had so much fun."
— Roz Ryan (Amelia Hetebrink) on Sherman Hemsley (1938–2012)
See them on AMEN at 9a ET on getTV
https://get.tv/gettv-blog/gettv-talks-amen-interview-roz-ryan
— Roz Ryan (Amelia Hetebrink) on Sherman Hemsley (1938–2012)
See them on AMEN at 9a ET on getTV
https://get.tv/gettv-blog/gettv-talks-amen-interview-roz-ryan
WHAT’S HAPPENING BROADWAY FANS?!!! The celebration is on for Broadway’s biggest night just 18 DAYS AWAY. Our hearts are booming with excitement for The 74th Annual Tony Awards. We at New York Broadway Tours continue to play our favorite showstopping performances from previous telecasts coming your way on our TOP 50 TONY AWARDS COUNTDOWN. Live Theater is back, people!!! Are you ready for another powerhouse act?!!!
At # 18 on our countdown, we travel to Chicago in the 1960’s through the 1970’s. There, we meet an aspiring girl group that goes through the ultimate transformation into superstars. Along the way, they discover the drama that goes on when you’re dealing with the price of fame and how it affects their friendship and relationships. This is the legendary smash hit Dreamgirls. With music by Henry Krieger and lyrics and book by Tom Eyen, the show is loosely inspired by the story of Diana Ross and The Supremes and from the history of Motown and R&B.
From the 1982 telecast, the iconic Jennifer Holiday in her legendary performance as “Effie White” along with Ben Harney as “Curtis Taylor Jr.”, Obba Babatundé as “C.C. White” Sheryl Lee Ralph as “Deena Jones”, Loretta Devine as “Lorell Robinson”, Cleavant Derricks as “James “Thunder” Early”, and Deborah Brunell as “Michelle Morris” perform the big ACT 1 FINALE CLIMACTIC showdown confrontation scene. It consists of IT’S ALL OVER and the musical’s signature anthe, AND I AM TELLING YOU I’M NOT GOING.
DREAMGIRLS was first conceived in the 1970’s as a project for actress Nell Carter. The show’s creators Harry Krieger and Tom Eyen previously worked together on a musical adaptation of Eyen’s play THE DIRTIEST SHOW IN TOWN. During that show, they were inspired by Carter in that. Their aim was to create a show all about black backup singers. The original title for the show was called ONE NIGHT ONLY (named after the song in the musical). It was workshopped for Joseph Papp but then was dropped when Nell Carter began working on the soap opera RYAN’S HOPE. A year later, the musical was put back on the table when it got the attention of acclaimed director and choreographer Michael Bennett (the genius behind the Tony and Pulitzer Prize winning A Chorus Line). From there, the show continued with 3 additional workshops entitled BIG DREAMS and then eventually what we know today as DREAMGIRLS. During those workshops, so much of the storyline, songs, dialogue, and casting for the role of “Effie White'' kept changing. One of the biggest early versions was that the role of “Effie '' initially dies at the end of Act 1 which did not impress Carter’s replacement Jennifer Holiday causing her to initially drop from the show. Carter later returned to the labs for the roles and then left again for her starring role on the NBC TV show GIMMIE A BREAK. With some of the changes improving in Act 1 and the expansion of “Effie”, Holiday returned to the labs but still focused on the role of “Deena Jones” (played by Sheryl Lee Ralph) causing her to quit again. Meanwhile the creative team continued working the script and after acquiring funding from music industry mogul David Geffen and fellow co-financiers ABC Entertainment, Metromedia, and The Shubert Organization, Michael Bennett brought Jennifer Holiday back in and made sure the 2nd act was rewritten and continued to build up the role of “Effie”.
The show officially arrived on Broadway in 1981 playing the Imperial Theatre running for 1,531 performances. Under the direction and choreography of Michael Bennett, the cast consisted of…
Tony winner Jennifer Holliday (later Julia McGirt, Roz Ryan, and Vanessa Townsell) as “Effie White”,
Tony nominee Sheryl Lee Ralph (later Linda Leilani Brown, and Susan Beaubian) as “Deena Jones”,
Loretta Devine (later Teresa Burnell) as “Lorell Robinson”,
Ben Harney (later Weyman Thompson) as “Curtis Taylor Jr.”,
Obba Babatunde (later Lawrence Clayton and Tony Franklin) as “C.C. White”,
Tony winner Cleavant Derricks (later David Alan Grier and Hinton Battle) as “James “Thunder” Early”, 4
and
Deborah Brunell as “Michelle Morris”.
It was nominated for 13 Tony Awards in 1982 winning 6 including BEST LEADING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL (for Jennifer Holiday).
DREAMGIRLS went on to tour all across America on and off. One of the most notable touring productions included a stop in New York’s Apollo Théâtre in Harlem back in 2009. Under the direction of Robert Longbottom, the cast featured…
Moya Angela as “Effie White”,
American Idol’s Syesha Mercado as “Deena Jones”,
Tony nominee this year Adrienne Warren as “Lorell Robinson”,
Chaz Lamar Shepherd as “Curtis Taylor Jr.”,
Trevon Davis as “C.C. White”
Chester Gregory as “James “Thunder” Early”,
and
Margaret Hoffman as “Michelle Morris”.
The musical is eyeing plans for its highly anticipated overdue return to Broadway. This new production is based on the show’s recent overdue premiere in London’s West End back in 207. Under the direction and choreography of Tony Award winner (and nominee again this year) Casey Nicholaw, Dreamgirls West End ran at London’s Savoy Theatre for 2 ½ years. Talks were also being made for Glee favorite Amber Riley (who made her West End debut with the production) to reprise her Olivier Award winning performance as “Effie White”. No word has been announced for the official start date or what Broadway house it will be performed in.
In addition to its success on stage, DREAMGIRLS was a worldwide smash hit on the big screen. The film adaptation from Dreamworks Pictures was released in 2006. Under the direction of Bill Condon, the filmed featured an all star cast consisting of….
Oscar, Golden Globe, and Grammy winner Jennifer Hudson as “Effie White”,
Grammy winner and Oscar nominee Beyoncé as “Deena Jones”,
Tony winner Anika Noni Rose as “Lorell Robinson”,
Oscar winner Jamie Foxx as “Curtis Taylor Jr.”,
Keith Robinson as “C.C. White”
Emmy and Golden Globe winner Eddie Murphy as “James “Thunder” Early”,
and
Sharon Leal as “Michelle Morris”
The film was nominated for 8 Oscars in 2007 winning 2 including BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS (for Jennifer Hudson for her iconic portrayal of Effie). The film also was nominated for 5 Golden Globes that same year winning 3 (including BEST MOTION PICTURE - MUSICAL OR COMEDY).
Today, there are still productions of Dreamgirls around the world.
Isn’t this the ultimate musical for standout powerhouse divas?
At # 18 on our countdown, we travel to Chicago in the 1960’s through the 1970’s. There, we meet an aspiring girl group that goes through the ultimate transformation into superstars. Along the way, they discover the drama that goes on when you’re dealing with the price of fame and how it affects their friendship and relationships. This is the legendary smash hit Dreamgirls. With music by Henry Krieger and lyrics and book by Tom Eyen, the show is loosely inspired by the story of Diana Ross and The Supremes and from the history of Motown and R&B.
From the 1982 telecast, the iconic Jennifer Holiday in her legendary performance as “Effie White” along with Ben Harney as “Curtis Taylor Jr.”, Obba Babatundé as “C.C. White” Sheryl Lee Ralph as “Deena Jones”, Loretta Devine as “Lorell Robinson”, Cleavant Derricks as “James “Thunder” Early”, and Deborah Brunell as “Michelle Morris” perform the big ACT 1 FINALE CLIMACTIC showdown confrontation scene. It consists of IT’S ALL OVER and the musical’s signature anthe, AND I AM TELLING YOU I’M NOT GOING.
DREAMGIRLS was first conceived in the 1970’s as a project for actress Nell Carter. The show’s creators Harry Krieger and Tom Eyen previously worked together on a musical adaptation of Eyen’s play THE DIRTIEST SHOW IN TOWN. During that show, they were inspired by Carter in that. Their aim was to create a show all about black backup singers. The original title for the show was called ONE NIGHT ONLY (named after the song in the musical). It was workshopped for Joseph Papp but then was dropped when Nell Carter began working on the soap opera RYAN’S HOPE. A year later, the musical was put back on the table when it got the attention of acclaimed director and choreographer Michael Bennett (the genius behind the Tony and Pulitzer Prize winning A Chorus Line). From there, the show continued with 3 additional workshops entitled BIG DREAMS and then eventually what we know today as DREAMGIRLS. During those workshops, so much of the storyline, songs, dialogue, and casting for the role of “Effie White'' kept changing. One of the biggest early versions was that the role of “Effie '' initially dies at the end of Act 1 which did not impress Carter’s replacement Jennifer Holiday causing her to initially drop from the show. Carter later returned to the labs for the roles and then left again for her starring role on the NBC TV show GIMMIE A BREAK. With some of the changes improving in Act 1 and the expansion of “Effie”, Holiday returned to the labs but still focused on the role of “Deena Jones” (played by Sheryl Lee Ralph) causing her to quit again. Meanwhile the creative team continued working the script and after acquiring funding from music industry mogul David Geffen and fellow co-financiers ABC Entertainment, Metromedia, and The Shubert Organization, Michael Bennett brought Jennifer Holiday back in and made sure the 2nd act was rewritten and continued to build up the role of “Effie”.
The show officially arrived on Broadway in 1981 playing the Imperial Theatre running for 1,531 performances. Under the direction and choreography of Michael Bennett, the cast consisted of…
Tony winner Jennifer Holliday (later Julia McGirt, Roz Ryan, and Vanessa Townsell) as “Effie White”,
Tony nominee Sheryl Lee Ralph (later Linda Leilani Brown, and Susan Beaubian) as “Deena Jones”,
Loretta Devine (later Teresa Burnell) as “Lorell Robinson”,
Ben Harney (later Weyman Thompson) as “Curtis Taylor Jr.”,
Obba Babatunde (later Lawrence Clayton and Tony Franklin) as “C.C. White”,
Tony winner Cleavant Derricks (later David Alan Grier and Hinton Battle) as “James “Thunder” Early”, 4
and
Deborah Brunell as “Michelle Morris”.
It was nominated for 13 Tony Awards in 1982 winning 6 including BEST LEADING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL (for Jennifer Holiday).
DREAMGIRLS went on to tour all across America on and off. One of the most notable touring productions included a stop in New York’s Apollo Théâtre in Harlem back in 2009. Under the direction of Robert Longbottom, the cast featured…
Moya Angela as “Effie White”,
American Idol’s Syesha Mercado as “Deena Jones”,
Tony nominee this year Adrienne Warren as “Lorell Robinson”,
Chaz Lamar Shepherd as “Curtis Taylor Jr.”,
Trevon Davis as “C.C. White”
Chester Gregory as “James “Thunder” Early”,
and
Margaret Hoffman as “Michelle Morris”.
The musical is eyeing plans for its highly anticipated overdue return to Broadway. This new production is based on the show’s recent overdue premiere in London’s West End back in 207. Under the direction and choreography of Tony Award winner (and nominee again this year) Casey Nicholaw, Dreamgirls West End ran at London’s Savoy Theatre for 2 ½ years. Talks were also being made for Glee favorite Amber Riley (who made her West End debut with the production) to reprise her Olivier Award winning performance as “Effie White”. No word has been announced for the official start date or what Broadway house it will be performed in.
In addition to its success on stage, DREAMGIRLS was a worldwide smash hit on the big screen. The film adaptation from Dreamworks Pictures was released in 2006. Under the direction of Bill Condon, the filmed featured an all star cast consisting of….
Oscar, Golden Globe, and Grammy winner Jennifer Hudson as “Effie White”,
Grammy winner and Oscar nominee Beyoncé as “Deena Jones”,
Tony winner Anika Noni Rose as “Lorell Robinson”,
Oscar winner Jamie Foxx as “Curtis Taylor Jr.”,
Keith Robinson as “C.C. White”
Emmy and Golden Globe winner Eddie Murphy as “James “Thunder” Early”,
and
Sharon Leal as “Michelle Morris”
The film was nominated for 8 Oscars in 2007 winning 2 including BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS (for Jennifer Hudson for her iconic portrayal of Effie). The film also was nominated for 5 Golden Globes that same year winning 3 (including BEST MOTION PICTURE - MUSICAL OR COMEDY).
Today, there are still productions of Dreamgirls around the world.
Isn’t this the ultimate musical for standout powerhouse divas?
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