For Immediate Release: November 17, 2005
Media Contact: Revah Anzaldua, Prince Music Theater, 215.972.5426

Long before American Idol captured the imagination of the nation, the Tony Award-winning Broadway show DREAMGIRLS spun the tale of three young singers from Chicago seeking fame and fortune on the stage. Years before Paula Abdul, DREAMGIRLS recounted backstage romance and intrigue in the fierce competition for the spotlight. Now, this hit musical comes to the Prince Music Theater with a fresh set of stars-to-be ready to tear up the stage in a new, re-envisioned production.

DREAMGIRLS exploded on Broadway in 1981 – a timeless work about three young women with big dreams of show business glory, unaware of just what those dreams would cost. Set in the early ‘60s ‘Girl Groups’ era, with acts like the Supremes, the Chiffons, the Shirelles, the Dixie Cups, Martha and the Vandellas’ and the Marvelettes, the show ultimately zeros in on one woman who somehow manages to find herself, through all the traps and temptations, seductions and betrayals of the cutthroat music business.

DREAMGIRLS chronicles the lives of The Dreamettes, a trio of beautiful backup singers for a rhythm-and-blues star, who, through their own perseverance and talent, rise to the top of the charts. Now called The Dreams, they are guided, manipulated, and exploited into pop music stardom by an ambitious, unscrupulous manager.

DREAMGIRLS also details the behind-the-scenes effort of black entrepreneurs to break out of the rhythm and blues mold and into the lucrative world of pop music. Fame can demand a high moral price as the female stars come to know. The Dreams may share the spotlight on the stage, but it is the men behind them and the music business itself that shape their struggle to the top, including heartache, triumphs, break-ups, and disappointments.

The Prince production will highlight the Grammy Award-winning music of gifted living legend Henry Kreiger and the unforgettable songs he created, including One Night Only, I Am Changing, Steppin’ to the Bad Side, and the sensational And I Am Telling You, I’m Not Going.

Richard M. Parison, Jr., the Prince’s Associate Artistic Director and recent Barrymore Award nominee for his production of The Big Bang in Philadelphia, will direct the production. Mr. Parison will collaborate with an exciting mix of New York and Philadelphia artists. The creative and design team include Musical Director Jesse Vargas (Off Broadway: Altar Boyz, Bare: A Pop Opera and Joyful Noise: The Clay Aiken National Tour) and Choreographer Mercedes Ellington, granddaughter of the late Duke Ellington (Broadway: Play On!, Sophisticated Ladies and Prince Music Theater: Ambassador Satch,).

The Prince is proud to introduce Nova Payton (back-up singer for Roberta Flack) singing the lead role as Effie Melody White in her Prince debut. Rounding out the rest of The Dreams are CJay Hardy Philip (Broadway: Big and Street Corner Symphony) as Lorrell Robinson and Chauntée Schuler as Deena Jones, both of whom are also making their Prince debut. Alexis Sims will be portraying Michelle Morris. Returning to the Prince, Broadway star, Eugene Fleming (Prince Music Theater: Me and Mrs. Jones and Broadway: Fosse) appears as James Thunder Early, and Olivier Award-nominated Kevyn Morrow (Prince Music Theater: Chasing Nicolette) plays Curtis Taylor, Jr.

Producing Director Marjorie Samoff selected a new production of DREAMGIRLS as part of the Prince Music Theater’s new American Legacy Series to draw on the popularity of the reality TV rage, explaining “DREAMGIRLS feels new again, at a time when American Idol fills the airwaves and nearly everyone wants to be on TV. With its fantastic score and tough, knowing book and lyrics, this thrilling human story will keep you on the edge of your seats.”

DREAMGIRLS will run at the Prince Music Theater December 3 – 30, at 1412 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA. DREAMGIRLS New Years Eve performances, December 31st at 4 p.m. and 9 p.m., will offer a special New Year’s Eve package after the performances.

The American Legacy Series continues May 6-28, 2006, with a World Premier of Cole Porter’s The Pirate. For Flex Subscriptions to both shows or for single tickets, call the UPStages Box Office at 215-569-9700 or online at www.princemusictheater.org. Student Rush single tickets are available one hour before the curtain with a valid student ID, based on availability. Group discounts are available to groups of ten or more.

The Prince Music Theater’s new production of DREAMGIRLS is generously sponsored by PREIT, The Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust.

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