In this piece, we’ll go over some amazing facts regarding the Dreamgirls cast. So, continue reading till the end for additional details.
About Dreamgirls
Dreamgirls is a Broadway musical written and directed by Tom Eyen, with music by Henry Krieger and lyrics by Tom Eyen.
Based on the dreams and accomplishments of R&B performers such as The Supremes, The Shirelles, James Brown, Jackie Wilson, and others, the musical tells the story of “The Dreams,” a teenage female singing trio from Chicago, Illinois who become music superstars.
Dreamgirls cast
- Jennifer Holiday As Effie White
Jennifer Holiday’s performance as Effie earned her a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. She is well recognised for her rendition of “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going,” which she first delivered in the first act finale of “Dreamgirls.”
- Sheryl Lee’s Ralph As Deena Jones
Sheryl Lee’s Ralph was only getting started on Broadway when she was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her role as Deena Jones in 1982. Ralph debuted in the 1980s film “Reggae” before appearing on “Dreamgirls.”
- Loretta Devine As Lorrell Robinson
Loretta Devine’s debut as Lorrell Robinson launched her Broadway career, which later propelled her into the worlds of television and film.
Read More: Click Here to Know About the Cast of The Terminal List!
She finally joined “Big Deal” alongside Cleavant Derricks.
- Ben Harney As Curtis Taylor, Jr.
Ben Harney was already a well-known name on Broadway before to his role in “Dreamgirls.” He filled in for Leading Player in “Pippin,” Tinman in “The Wiz,” and a dancer in the production of “The Pajama Game.”
- Obba Babatundé As C.C. White
Before his role in “Dreamgirls,” Babatundé, like Harney, had featured in previous Broadway productions. He appeared in the films “It’s So Nice to Be Civilized,” “Reggae,” and “Timbuktu!”
- Cleavant Derricks As James “Thunder” Early
Derricks earned a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his work as Jimmy Early.
- Deborah Burrell As Michelle Morris
After Curtis pushes Effie out, Burrell’s character joins The Dreams. Burrell eventually took over as Deena in following productions of “Dreamgirls.”
What Has Happened to the Original Dreamgirls Cast?
- Effie Melody White, Jennifer Holliday
After leaving Dreamgirls, for which she received a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical, Holliday appeared in other Broadway musicals, including Grease as the Teen Angel, Chicago as Matron “Mama” Morton in 2001, and The Color Purple as a replacement for Shug Avery in 2015.
- Curtis Taylor, Jr., Ben Harney
Harney had substantial Broadway experience prior to Dreamgirls, having appeared in The Wiz as a replacement for the Tinman, Pippin as a replacement for Leading Player in 1976, and The Pajama Game as a dancer in the 1973 revival.
Read More: Click Here to Know About the Cast of Lightyear!
Harney was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his portrayal of Curtis, a character inspired by Berry Gordy.
- Sheryl Lee’s Ralph: Deena Jones
Ralph’s Broadway career had just begun after playing Deena Jones in Dreamgirls, and she was nominated for Best Actress in a Musical.
Ralph has since featured in Thoroughly Modern Millie, where she originated the character of Muzzy Van Hossmere—which she “revived” in last year’s one-night-only musical benefit for the Actors Fund alongside members of the original ensemble.
- C.C. White, Obba Babatundé
Babatundé had already appeared in three Broadway productions (Timbuktu!, Reggae, and It’s So Nice to Be Civilized) before being nominated for his role in Dreamgirls.
Read More: What is the Cast of Longmire Doing Now? Let’s Check!
Following Dreamgirls, the actor appeared in the 1985 production of Grind and as Billy Flynn in Chicago in 2006 and 2008. Millennials may remember him as Principal Green from Dawson’s Creek.
- Lorrell Robinson and Loretta Devine
Devine continued on Broadway briefly as the role based on Mary Wilson before breaking into the film and television industries. She starred in Big Deal with Dreamgirls co-star Cleavant Derricks in 1986, inventing the part of Lilly, but has not been on Broadway since.
- James “Thunder” Early, Cleavant Derricks
Derricks continued his Broadway career after leaving Dreamgirls with a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical, inventing the character of Charley in Big Deal and appearing as part of the original cast of Brooklyn. Big Deal garnered him yet another Tony nomination, this time for Best Actor in a Musical.
- Michelle Morris and Deborah Burrell
Michelle joins The Dreams after Effie is summarily fired—though Burrell went on to replace her as Deena later in the production’s run. She later performed as part of the Dreamgirls national tour.
- Marty, Vondie Curtis-Hall
Curtis-Hall made his Broadway debut in It’s So Nice to Be Civilized in 1980 and appeared opposite Lena Horne in Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music. After Dreamgirls, he returned to Broadway as an understudy in the 1987 musical revue Stardust.