Dreamgirls

Musical - Original

Imperial Theatre

Data not verified
  • First Preview: December 9, 1981
  • Opening Date: December 20, 1981
  • Closing Date: August 11, 1985
  • Previews: 10
  • Performances: 1521

Lyrics: Tom Eyen

Book: Tom Eyen

Music: Henry Krieger

Opening Night Credits Photo Galleries Awards
 

  • Playbill Covers (2)

    • Playbill Cover - Dreamgirls
    • Playbill Cover - Dreamgirls

  • Inside the Playbill (10)

    • Inside the Playbill - Dreamgirls
    • Inside the Playbill - Dreamgirls
 

Synopsis

An opportunistic show business promoter sets the career of a female trio of black singers soaring as 1960s Motown music becomes popular with both white and black audiences, necessitating the overweight lead singer's demotion in favor of a more glamorous singer who had previously sung backup.

 

Opening Night Cast

Obba Babatunde in Dreamgirls Obba Babatunde C.C. White
Cleavant Derricks in Dreamgirls Cleavant Derricks James Thunder Early
Loretta Devine in Dreamgirls Loretta Devine Lorrell Robinson
Ben Harney Curtis Taylor, Jr.
Jennifer Holliday in Dreamgirls Jennifer Holliday Effie Melody White
Sheryl Lee Ralph in Dreamgirls Sheryl Lee Ralph Deena Jones
Deborah Burrell One of "The Stepp Sisters"
Michelle Morris
See Full Opening Night Cast

Opening Night Production Credits

  Tom Eyen Book
  Henry Krieger Music
  Tom Eyen Lyrics
Michael Bennett Michael Bennett Director
Michael Bennett Michael Bennett Choreographer
  Michael Peters Co-Choreographer
See Full Opening Night Production credits

Inside the Playbill (10)

  • Inside the Playbill - Dreamgirls
  • Inside the Playbill - Dreamgirls
  • Inside the Playbill - Dreamgirls
  • Inside the Playbill - Dreamgirls
Dreamgirls - Sep 1983
See More
 

Shows That Opened That Season: 1981 - 1982

 
See entire season

Awards


Drama Desk Award

Year Category Name Winner/Nominee
1982 Outstanding Actress in a Musical Sheryl Lee Ralph Nominee
1982 Outstanding Actress in a Musical Jennifer Holliday Winner
1982 Outstanding Costume Design Theoni V. Aldredge Nominee
1982 Outstanding Director of a Musical Michael Bennett Nominee
1982 Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical Ben Harney Nominee
1982 Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical Cleavant Derricks Winner
1982 Outstanding Lighting Design Tharon Musser Winner
1982 Outstanding Lyrics Tom Eyen Nominee
1982 Outstanding Musical   Nominee
1982 Outstanding Set Design Robin Wagner Winner

Theatre World

Year Category Name Winner/Nominee
1982 Theatre World Award Jennifer Holliday Winner

Tony Award

Year Category Name Winner/Nominee
1982 Actor in a Musical Ben Harney Winner
1982 Actress in a Musical Sheryl Lee Ralph Nominee
1982 Actress in a Musical Jennifer Holliday Winner
1982 Book of a Musical Tom Eyen Winner
1982 Choreography Michael Bennett
Michael Peters 		Winner
1982 Costume Design (Play or Musical) Theoni V. Aldredge Nominee
1982 Direction of a Musical Michael Bennett Nominee
1982 Featured Actor in a Musical Cleavant Derricks Winner
1982 Featured Actor in a Musical Obba Babatunde Nominee
1982 Lighting Design (Play or Musical) Tharon Musser Winner
1982 Musical   Nominee
1982 Original Score Henry Krieger
Tom Eyen 		Nominee
1982 Scenic Design (Play or Musical) Robin Wagner Nominee
 
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