DREAMGIRLS - Coming to the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County Oct. 19-24

The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County is kicking off the Broadway In Miami 2010-2011 season with a huge bang with its first presentation and Miami Premiere of the Broadway smash musical DREAMGIRLS '" running October 19-24. The original Broadway production opened at the Imperial Theatre in December 1981 and made a singing sensation of Jennifer Holliday in the role of Effie White. The presentation won six Tony Awards and three Drama Desk Awards in 1982. It closed on Broadway in August of 1985 after 1,521 performances. The original Broadway production was choreographed by Michael Peters (who had worked with Michael Jackson on many of the singers sold out tours and the infamous '˜Thriller' video) and was directed by Michael Bennett; whom also worked with Peters as a choreographer on the production.

DREAMGIRLS is essentially a story loosely based on the 1960's female super group The Supremes; later re-named Diana Ross and The Supremes. The back story reads much like any great drama ridden rise-to-the-top of the charts underdog tale. Triumphs, disappointments, betrayals, fame and fortune; it's all here and then some. Deena Jones, Lorrell Robinson, and Effie White make up this colorful trio known as The Dreamettes. Curtis Taylor Jr. discovers them and becomes their manager/agent starting them out in the business as background singers for the already established James "Thunder" Early. As with all these stories one can pretty much guess the rest. Curtis falls for one of the ladies, Deena, who is not the main focus of the group or the strongest singer. But because of her look and image Curtis puts Deena in the forefront and essentially pushes the other ladies aside as '˜supporting background singers.' Thus the personal struggles between the girls, the manager, and the changing climate of the times (both politically and musically) begin to take their toll on everyone involved.

The 2006 film version of the Broadway hit read like a who's who in the entertainment industry. Jamie Foxx (Curtis Taylor Jr.), Eddie Murphy (James Early), Beyonce (Deena Jones), and American Idol contestant, Jennifer Hudson (Effie). The little musical film that could garnered two Academy Awards (Hudson for Best Supporting Actress - five Golden Globes and two Screen Actors Guild Awards in 2007. The song "Love You I Do," won a Grammy Award for Best Song written for a Motion Picture. Sitting in the movie theater was an experience all in itself. Audiences stood up and cheered, some even cried during the pivotal and emotional performance of Hudson's rendition of "And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going." It was a showstopper. And it shall remain so in this new installment as it hits Miami and a city near you.

Let me introduce you to 2010's The Dreams: Moya Angela is no stranger to the musical stage. Coming from rave reviews in the Lion King, she takes on the role as Effie. Syesha Mercado was raised in Florida, studied at Florida International University and consequently is another American Idol alumni - she was a second runner-up in season seven plays Deena Jones. Adrienne Warren is Lorrell Robinson. Adrienne recently toured with rock super group Aerosmith, and Margaret Hoffman is Michelle Morris. Chaz Lamar Shepherd (he recently appeared on Broadway in The Color Purple) plays super agent Curtis Taylor Jr. The rest of the cast consist of a lot of familiar names and faces from television, theater and motion pictures including: Chester Gregory as James "Thunder" Early; Trevon Davis as C.C. White. In certain performances, Patrice Covington (Ain't Misbehavin, Hello Dolly, and Beehive) takes over as Effie White. The troupe of 26 is scheduled in some cities up to eight performances per week.

The show is directed and choreographed by Robert Longbottom (a four time Tony Award nominee which includes The Flower Drum Song) with co-choreography by Shane Sparks (Emmy award nominee for So You Think You Can Dance). DREAMGIRLS is produced by John Breglio for Vienna Waits Productions. Scenic design is by Tony, Drama Desk, and Other Circle award winner Robin Wagner. Costume Design is by five time Tony Award winner William Ivey Long (Nine, The Producers, Hairspray, Grey Gardens, and Crazy For You.) DREAMGIRLS features original music by Henry Krieger and lyrics and book by Tom Eyen (the winning team who brought the 1981 show to Broadway) with additional material by Willie Reale.

Additional information on the show can be found at www.DreamgirlsOnStage.com

For tickets and up-to-date information on DREAMGIRLS and other upcoming events visit www.arshtcenter.org
Tickets for DREAMGIRLS start at $25 and may be purchased by calling the box office at (305) 949-6722 or online at www.arshtcenter.org