The Carnegie is kicking off its 2018-19 Theatre season with flashy costumes, Motown music, and plenty of drama. The Tony Award-winning musical DREAMGIRLS will open Aug. 11 and run weekends through Aug. 26.
Based on the stories of real-life music icons, The Supremes, James Brown, and others, DREAMGIRLS offers a behind-the-scenes look at the music industry of the 1960s as it tells the story of R&B group, The Dreams.
Starting out as a trio of singers and friends, Effie, Deena, and Lorrell are determined to make it big in the vibrant music landscape of the 1960s. But as the band’s success grows, their relationships deteriorate. Featuring songs such as “Dreamgirls,” “And I’m Telling You,” and “One Night Only,” the musical was adapted into the 2006 motion picture starring Jennifer Hudson, Beyoncé, Jamie Foxx, Eddie Murphy, Danny Glover, and Anika Noni Rose.
“DREAMGIRLS takes you behind the scenes of the music business during the Motown era. The rise of the Dreams is incredibly compelling, while also showing the isolation and struggle that comes with fame,” said Carnegie Theatre Director Maggie Perrino. “And I couldn’t be more pleased to have Torie Wiggins, a local onstage favorite, taking on the direction of this backstage drama. Her brilliant sense of storytelling will make this show really pop and connect with audiences.”
Directed by Torie Wiggins, DREAMGIRLS will feature musical direction by Mike Flohr and choreography by Darnell Pierre Benjamin. The cast will be led by Sharisse Vernelle Santos as Deena Jones, Tia Seay as Effie White, and Lormarev Jones as Lorrell Robinson.
Performances of DREAMGIRLS run weekends Aug. 11-26, Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets are $30, $27 for Carnegie Members and ArtsPass Members, $23 for students. Tickets can be purchased through The Carnegie Box Office, open Tuesday-Friday from noon until 5 p.m., in person or by phone at (859) 957-1940, or online.
Patrons seeking group or student tickets should call to make arrangements.
CAST LIST:
Deena Jones – Sharisse Vernelle Santos
Effie White – Tia Seay
Lorrell Robinson – Lormarev Jones
Michelle Morris/Ensemble – Ernaisja Curry
Curtis Taylor, Jr. – Brandon Burton
James Thunder Early – Dedrick Weathersby
Marty – Javon Cameron
C.C. White/Ensemble – Reginald Hemphill
Ensemble – Fiona Capri, LaCrea Burns, Kearston Hawkins-Johnson, Leonard Petersen, Josh Heard, Jack Johnson, John Woll, Brianna Bernard, Carrington Shropshire, Jessica Steuver
PRODUCTION TEAM:
Director – Torie Wiggins
Choreographer – Darnell Pierre Benjamin
Music Director – Mike Flohr
Stage Manager – Carissa Gandenberger
Set Designer – Doug Stock
Sound Designer – Eric Bardes
Lighting Designer – Erik McCandless
Costume Designer – Helen Anneliesa Raymond Goers
Asst. Stage Manager – Morgan Becker
