As the Muny cast gathered their belongings to hustle back and forth between costume fitting, choreography and music rehearsal, something striking stood out among the personal effects of one of the chorus members. This young blond boy – who couldn’t have been any older than late teens – gripped an autographed copy of the Dreamgirls original cast recording LP.
The message on the front was impossible to make out from across the room, but it was long and more than likely personal. And it would be safe to assume the note came from the star of that show – who just so happens to be the star of the Muny premiere of Dreamgirls that opens on Monday.
And based of the interaction between Jennifer Holliday (who will be reprising her original Broadway role as Effie White) and the rest of the cast in rehearsal, it was a message of love and encouragement.
They only have one week before one of the most buzzed-about productions in Muny history, but there was a spirit of calm resonating from the rehearsal spaces. It started from the top of the bill and trickled down.
“Is there a scene you want to work on in particular, Ms. Holliday?” director Robert Clater asked before they broke for lunch.
“No, I think everything is moving along just fine.”
Another member of the cast raised her hand to ask if they could run through a scene, and Ms. Holliday said, “I think that will be better when we are in the actual space.”
There was no fear, no judgment, no separation between the star and the rest of the cast. It was an environment that encouraged talent to share ideas and opinions about the production as they prepare for the stage.
They had just performed one of the opening scenes of the play, where the Dreamettes make their debut in a talent competition, and had run through Effie White’s performance of “One Night Only.”
Cast members mouthed along and watched in awe as Holliday sang with a subdued control that even in her softer tone is a force to be reckoned with.
The cast is diverse in age, ethnicity and talent levels, from rising young stars to established artists like the one and only Ken Page.
And the constructive criticism went both ways.
While in the throes of one of the play’s more busy scenes, Holliday looked to be caught up in the moment while singing and reciting lines with her back to the chorus as they provided background vocals.
When the scene was over, Holliday went over to one of the young ladies in the chorus.
“Sing your line,” Holliday said. The young lady complied. She was one of about 10 voices singing at the same time.
Holliday went on give her tips on breathing and holding the note properly, stressing the importance of expanding and contracting the diaphragm.
“Now try,” Holliday said after offering technique suggestions.
The cast member sang, and a smile eased across her face as she held the note much longer than she had before.
The experience brought to mind the kind words of Executive Producer Mike Isaacson when welcoming Holliday to St. Louis a week before at a special reception held in her honor.
“Every time Ms. Holliday steps on stage to perform this role, everyone is transformed,” Isaacson said. “And the genius of this artist is that she brings who she is to this role.”
The Muny’s production of Dreamgirls starring Jennifer Holliday runs from July 16- 22. For more information, visit www.muny.org or call (314) 361-1900.
