Dreamgirls 2013_Playbill 5/9/13 11:49 AM Page 1
2013 National Tour
Big League Productions, Inc.
By special arrangement with John Breglio and Vienna Waits Productions, LLC
Presents
Books and Lyrics by Music by
Tom Eyen Henry Krieger
Additional Material by
Willie Reale
Original Broadway Production Directed and Choreographed by
Michael Bennett
Orchestrations by Harold Wheeler
Produced on Broadway by
Michael Bennett, Robert Avian, Geffen Records and
Shubert Organization
Starring
Charity Dawson Terrance Johnson Kolby Kindle JoNathan Michael Jasmin Richardson Tonyia Myrie Rue Kimberly Michelle Thomas Lydia Warr Deonte’ Warren
with
Steven Charles Eean Cochran Ericka Covington A.J. Davis Tramaine Montell Ford Renée Veronica Freeman Keisha Gilles Dave Heard Walter Kemp II Gia Sharee McGlone Ashley McManus Cameron J. Ross
Justin Sams Krystal Simpson Eric R. Williams
Scenic DesignRobin Wagner / Costume Design
William Ivey Long / Lighting Design
Ken Billington / Media Design
Lightswitch - Howard Werner
Sound Design / Musical Supervisor / Casting By Technical Supervisor
Matt Geasey / Cherie Rosen / Alison Franck C.S.A. MB Productions
Mike Tracey
Marketing / General Management / Executive Producer
True Marketing / Big League Productions Inc. / Daniel Sher
Wendy Connor / Gina Willens
Co-Choreographer
Shane Sparks
Directed Choreographed by
Robert Longbottom
Exclusive Tour Direction by Big League Productions, Inc. John Starr VP, Director of Booking
Dreamgirls is presented by arrangement with Tams-Witmark Music Library, Inc., 560 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10022
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Cast
IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE M.C...... A.J. Davis Stepp Sister...... Ericka Covington Stepp Sister...... Renée Veronica Freeman Stepp Sister...... Krystal Simpson Stepp Sister...... Gia Sharee McGlone Marty...... Kolby Kindle Joann ...... Keisha Gilles Charlene...... Kimberly Michelle Thomas Curtis Taylor, Jr...... Deonte’ Warren Deena Jones...... Jasmin Richardson Lorrell Robinson...... Tonyia Myrie Rue C.C. White...... Terrance Johnson Effie Melody White...... Charity Dawson Little Albert...... Tramaine Montell Ford Tru-Tone...... Steven Charles Tru-Tone...... Cameron J. Ross Tru-Tone...... Justin Sams Tru-Tone...... Eric R. Williams James “Thunder” Early...... JoNathan Michael Tiny Joe Dixon...... Dave Heard Wayne...... Cameron J. Ross Frank...... Dave Heard Dwight...... Justin Sams Stage Manager...... Eric R. Williams Michelle Morris...... Kimberly Michelle Thomas Jerry...... A.J. Davis Mr. Morgan...... Steven Charles Effie Melody White (Alternate) ...... Lydia Warr
Swings
Walter Kemp II, Ashley McManus
Understudies
Understudies never substitute for listed players unless a specific announcement for
the appearance is made at the time of the performance.
For Deena: RENÉE VERONICA FREEMAN, GIA SHAREE MCGLONE, KRYSTAL SIMPSON; For Effie: KEISHA GILLES; For Lorrell: ASHLEY MCMANUS, KRYSTAL SIMPSON;
For Michelle: ERICKA COVINGTON, ASHLEY MCMANUS; For Curtis: DAVE HEARD; For J.T Early: A.J. DAVIS; For C.C: EEAN COCHRAN, CAMERON J. ROSS;
For Marty: A.J. DAVIS.
Co-Dance Captains: Walter Kemp II, Ashley McManus
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MUSICAL NUMBERS Act I
I’m Lookin’ for Something ...... The Stepp Sisters Goin’ Downtown...... Little Albert and 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, Lorrell and Company Steppin’ to the Bad Side...... Curtis, C.C., Jimmy, Wayne, Lorrell, Effie, Deena and Company Party, Party...... Effie, Curtis, Jimmy, Lorrell and Company I Want You Baby...... Jimmy, Effie, Deena and Lorrell Family...... Effie, C.C., Curtis, Jimmy, Deena and Lorrell Dreamgirls...... Deena, Lorrell and Effie Press Conference...... Deena, Curtis and Company Heavy...... Deena, Lorrell and Effie It’s All Over...... Curtis, Effie, Deena, Lorrell, C.C., Michelle and Jimmy And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going...... Effie
There will be one 15-minute intermission.
Act II
What Love Can Do ...... Deena, Lorrell, Michelle, C.C., Curtis, Jimmy and Company I am Changing...... Effie One More Picture Please...... Deena, Lorrell, Michelle and Photographers You Are My Dream...... 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, Curtis and Lorrell I Miss You Old Friend...... Effie and C.C. One Night Only...... Effie One Night Only...... Deena, Lorrell, Michelle and Company I’m Somebody...... Deena, Lorrell and Michelle Listen...... Deena and Effie Hard to Say Goodbye...... Deena, Lorrell and Michelle Dreamgirls...... Effie, Deena, Lorrell and Michelle
THE TIME
1962-1975
DREAMGIRLS ORCHESTRA
Jon Balcourt (Conductor/Keyboard 1)
John Conway (Keyboard 2/ Associate Conductor)
David Richards (Trumpet 1), Andrew Warren (Trumpet 2), Tao Guthrie (Trombone), Brett McDonald (Reed 1), Josh Johnson (Reed 2),
Jason Langley (Bass), Ryan Draper (Drums), A.J. Jones (Percussion) All videotaping, audio recording and photography is strictly prohibited.
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WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST
CHARITY DAWSON (Effie Melody White) is thrilled to be a part of this amazing production! She is a graduate of the American Musical and Dra- matic Academy (NYC). Some of her favorite cred- its include the national tour of The Color Purple (Darlene/Celie US), Unbeatable (Ally), The Black Theater Trouple’s season closer Smokey Joe’s Cafe (B.J.), Aida (Aida) and The Wiz (Evilene). She would like to thank her family and friends for their continued love and support. With God all things are possible. Enjoy the show!
TERRANCE JOHNSON (C.C. White) Regional: Tick, Tick… Boom, The America Play, A Christmas Carol (Triad Stage); Rent, The Producers, For the Glory (Flat Rock Playhouse); Jesus Christ Super- star, A Man of No Importance, Blood Brothers (NC Theatre). BFA Graduate of UNC-Greensboro. Much love to my Family, and the friends that feel like family.
KOLBY KINDLE (Marty) This Oklahoma native is thrilled to be touring with such a great show! Na- tional Tours: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. NYC credits: Negro Ensemble Company. Regional cred- its: Music Theatre of Wichita, West Virginia Public Theatre, Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma and Prather Entertainment Group. Much love to family, friends and CTG. BFA in Musical Theatre from Otterbein University. Philippians 4:13.
JONATHAN MICHAEL (James “Thunder” Early) (New Jersey) received a full scholarship to Hudson Reperatory Center for the performing Arts
@ the age of 10. Graduated in '08 from The Uni- versity of The Arts with a BFA in modern dance performance. He has been featured in such shows as West Side Story (Pepe, Bernardo u/s) Fame (Ty- rone), Grease (Kinickie u/s/ensemble), The Color Purple (Harpo, Pa, Grady, Preacher u/s /ensemble), Dreamgirls (Jimmy Early). JoNathan is also a recording artist singing background for major label artist as well as with a gospel group APMD. JASMIN RICHARDSON (Deena Jones) is a graduate of Abilene Christian University where she received her B.F.A. in Musical Theater. Regional Credits: Dreamgirls (Michelle), Drowsy Chaper- one (Trix). Cruise Lines: Disney, Norwegian and Celebrity Cruise Lines. Some of her theater credits include Aida in Aida, Lorraine in All Shook Up. I would love to thank my wonderful family for their prayers. www.jasminrichardson.com
TONYIA MYRIE RUE (Lorrell Robinson) Pitts- burgh native who worked in various productions such as: Pittsburgh Opera Just Above my Head (En-
semble), Pittsburgh CLO Tour (Bessie Coleman), Off Broadway: Crazy, Sexy, Disco (Jam LaRue). Television: The Jackson Five, The Piano Lesson, IC light commercial. Tonyia with a BFA is elated to be on her first national tour and thanks God and her family!
KIMBERLY MICHELLE THOMAS (Michelle Morris) is thrilled to be touring with Dreamgirls, and to be in the company of such gifted and dedi- cated artists. She has performed in vocal and dance ensembles both in the United States and abroad. Her performance credits include the role of Nina in the 1st and 2nd national tours of Swonderful, and Samantha in A Dance for Rylie, a new musical. Her dance training includes Princeton Ballet, and Cen- ter Stage Dance and Theater. Kimberly majored in vocal jazz performance at The University of the Arts, where she received a bachelor of music. Kim- berly would like to thank her wonderful, supportive family and friends for standing behind her in all of her endeavors.
LYDIA WARR (Alternate Effie Melody White) is a graduate from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts undergrad program. She is a singer, song writer, playwright and actress and would like to give honor to God, many thanks to her family and friends for their support and Big League Produc- tions for granting her this amazing opportunity. DEONTE L. WARREN (Curtis Taylor, Jr) is thrilled to be on his first national tour! Favorite re- gional credits include: Hairspray (Seaweed), Smokey Joes Cafe (Ken), Disney's Tarzan (Terk). Deonte has a Bachelor of Music in music theatre from Belmont University in Nashville, TN, which is also his hometown. University credits include: Ragtime (Coalhouse), Grease! (Danny), Urinetown (Hot Blades Harry), Guys Dolls (Nicely, Nicely Johnson). Many thanks to Renee Glicker, my agent, and my family friends, without your sup- port and love I wouldn't be here. Much Love and I hope you enjoy the show! www.deontewarren.com STEVEN CHARLES (Ensemble) is thrilled to be a part of Dreamgirls once again. This show really defines his career in the music industry and has helped him understand so much. He is so thankful for all people who’ve helped put this production together. Most recently he was seen in Colorado playing Benny in In the Heights. You can find his music online at www.youtube.com/charlesvid and www.reverbnation.com/stevencharles13. Thanks family for all the love and support!
EEAN COCHRAN (Ensemble) is an actor from
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WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST
Trophy Club, TX, and is so excited to be a part of this amazing cast and production of Dreamgirls. Recent credits include Andy Lee in 42nd Street, Judah in Joseph...Dreamcoat and Willard in Footloose. Cochran has also been blessed to dance alongside and behind various artists and is currently pursuing a BFA from Abilene Christian University for music theatre. He would like to thank his family for their constant support and prayers and his Lord and Savior for gifting him with the passion and drive to do this. Isaiah 58:11
ERICKA COVINGTON (Ensemble) B.F.A in Dance from Shenandoah Conservatory. National/Regional Tour credits: All Shook Up and Legally Blonde the Musical. Regional: Hairspray, Ragtime, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and All Shook Up. "Endless thanks to my loving and supportive family and friends."
A.J. DAVIS (Ensemble) is thrilled to be touring! Credits: The Wiz, Smokey Joe’s Cafe. A.J. has ap- peared in production shows across the nation and internationally. BA in Music Business Administra- tion from Indiana State University. ΑΦΑ 1906! TRAMAINE MONTELL FORD (Ensemble) is an American actor based in New York City. He holds a BFA in Acting from Syracuse University. Credits include; Hairspray The Movie, The Oprah Winfrey Show, Saturday Night Live, One Life To Live, NBC's The Today Show, Aida International Tours and award-winning One Man Show, The Tra- maine Experience: An Urban Dramedy which pre- miered Off-Broadway at 42nd St.'s Theatre Row and American Theatre of Actors fostered by the producers of Broadway's Wicked, The Araca Group. Ford has been featured on NBC News, Broadway World and The New York Times and his music is available internationally on iTunes. Ford studied dance at the official school of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre as an Oprah Win- frey Scholar and has danced backup for American singer Lady Gaga. www.tramaine.net
RENÉE VERONICA FREEMAN (Ensemble) New York: Morgan Street (Anika Noni Rose), OWC Yes! (Duke Ellington Center), Lippi: The Mu- sical (The York). Regional: High School Musical (Alhambra Theatre), Die Fledermaus (Jacksonville Lyric Opera), TV: “L&O: SVU” (NBC), “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (ABC). Natl./Intl. Tours: USO Liberty Bells (USO World Org.) www.reneeveronicafreeman.com
KEISHA GILLES (Ensemble) is a 2012 graduate of the Hartt School of Music. Recent appearances
include: Drowsy Chaperone (Trix - Theatre Barn), Chicago (Mama Morton - Playhouse on Park), Seussical (Sour Kangaroo - Prathers). She is very excited to be joining this cast. Dream!
DAVE HEARD (Ensemble) is excited to be tour- ing again - this time with Dreamgirls! Previous touring engagements include Hairspray (national/int'l) and High School Musical (regional). Most recent engagements include The Wiz at MSMT rocking out at weddings parties with his Boston-based band ENCORE. RVM/DMH Tweet w/ me @HeardtheNerd.
WALTER KEMP II (Ensemble) So blessed to have another chance to do what I love. Hairspray (Seaweed), Joseph and the... Dreamcoat (Judah), High School Musical (Zeek), Backyardigans LIVE (Tyrone), Fame, and Aida. Thanks to my family for their never-ending love and support. TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!!!!
GIA SHAREE McGLONE (Ensemble) is a NJ native living her dream with credits that include: Off Broadway’s: For Lover’s Only, Big League’s Taiwan Tour of Aida, Little Shop of Horrors, Bee- hive the 60’s Musical, as well as a featured vocalist in bands from France to Switzerland and the U.S.A! Check out her self-produced and directed animated series “Gia’s World” featured on Youtube now!
ASHLEY McMANUS (Ensemble) is extremely excited to be making her National Tour debut. Born and raised in Washington, DC. A graduate of Duke Ellington School of the Arts and the American Mu- sical and Dramatic Academy (NY). She would like to thank God and her Mother.
CAMERON J. ROSS (Ensemble) is a native of Houston, TX. Training: The High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, The New School Uni- versity and Ann Reinking’s Broadway Theatre Project. Off-Broadway: Hinton Battle's Love Lies: Treat Her Like a Lady (MITF Nomination). Na- tional Tours: Harpo in The Color Purple (Broad- way World Nomination) Regional: Guys and Dolls (Nicely-Nicely Johnson), Hairspray (Seaweed J. Stubbs), and Once On This Island (Papa Ge). Thanks to Mom, Dad, Grant, family, friends, and Renee. Peace and MUCH Love. "All you gotta do is dream."
JUSTIN SAMS (Ensemble) National Tour Debut! AMDA graduate. Credits Include: Vivement Di- manche (Paris, France), Ballet Jeunesse de Joelle Morane (Brussels, Belgium), Hairspray (OCTC). This performance is dedicated to my ENTIRE fam-
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