And I am telling you, you should be going. I couldn’t resist, but my hope is that the corny “Dreamgirls” pun does not deter anyone from heading to the Muny to see a spectacularly talented ensemble serve the classic musical to its highest capacity.
It’s a shame that because of how “Dreamgirls” fell within the Muny season that only one more opportunity to view the show remains at the publishing of this article. However, if this is being read on July 3 (before 8:15 p.m.) not a single person will regret inconveniencing themselves or rescheduling other commitments in order to experience this performance.
The Muny’s latest staging gives audiences the how and why with respect to “Dreamgirls” providing a platform that stars are made from – especially for women named Jennifer. It’s a little known fact that Kinloch’ own Jenifer Lewis is the first to ever assume the role of Effie White. Lewis workshopped the role before the original Broadway run made a Tony and Grammy winner out of Jennifer Holliday. Twenty-five years after the musical made Holliday a household name, the film adaptation did the same for Jennifer Hudson. The “American Idol” finalist became an Oscar, Golden Globe, SAG and NAACP Image Award winner after starring alongside Beyonce, Anika Noni Rose, Jamie Foxx, Danny Glover, Eddie Murphy and others in the screen version.
Tiffany Mann is the Muny’s latest Effie White – and if there is an angle for the role to become a star-making opportunity for her, she certainly deserves it. Mann poured every ounce of her talents into the role, and exceeded the highest possible expectations while doing so. The audience enthusiastically leapt to their feet at the end of act one following her performance of the musical’s signature song “(And I Am Telling You) I’m Not Going.” “She looks like her daddy, but she sings like her mama,” a person said while applauding so loudly that his hands sounded as if they were chafing. She is the daughter of entertainers David and Tamela Mann, but her Effie proves that she is anything but a “nepo baby.” She brought the pipes – and, more importantly, she brought the passion.
Mann wasn’t the only artist on the Muny stage who delivered unforgettable performances. In fact, just about everyone who graced the stage was top tier. And director Robert Clater was exacting in his ability to cohesively bring their talents to the forefront in a manner that compliments the story that “Dreamgirls” tells. Along with Mann, Nick Rashad Burroughs as James “Thunder” Early and Aisha Jackson as Deena Jones were impossible to glance away from for a nanosecond.
Just like with the cast, the production team also each had their time to shine. With the exception of the appropriated performance of “Cadillac Car,” Edward E. Haynes, Jr.’s scenic design for the first act was the weak link. In fact, there were moments where the rotating light pillars even felt obstructive. But the truth is, he could have had cardboard cutouts and it would have been fine because of the caliber of performances delivered by the cast – which also included Courtnee Carter, Charl Brown, Ron Himes, Aramie Payton, Robby Clater and Natalie Kaye Clater. And to Haynes’ credit, he raised the bar substantially for the second act, giving it umph it needed to maintain the audiences’ engagement level for the duration of the musical.
Costume designer Leon Dobkowsi’s dressing of Curtis Taylor, Jr. and Choreographer Lesia Kaye’s dance sequence in “Steppin’ to the Bad Side” also deserve a nod. And it might be unorthodox – or even uncouth – to include a casting agency in a stage review, The Tesley Office is worthy of recognition for such a perfectly crafted ensemble.
The Muny’s presentation of “Dreamgirls” continues through July 3rd at the Muny in Forest Park. For more information, visit www.muny.org