MusicalOriginalBroadway
Opening Date
Dec 20, 1981
Closing Date
Aug 11, 1985
1st Preview
Dec 09, 1981
1st Preview
Dec 09, 1981
Previews
10
Performances
1,521
MusicalOriginalBroadway
External Links
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ABOUT THIS PRODUCTION

Theatres
Imperial Theatre
(Dec 20, 1981 - Aug 11, 1985)
Setting
Act I: The early sixties. Act II: The early seventies. Various cities throughout the U.S.
Theatre Owned / Operated by The Shubert Organization (Gerald Schoenfeld: Chairman; Bernard B. Jacobs: President)
Produced by Michael Bennett, Bob Avian, Geffen Records and The Shubert Organization (Gerald Schoenfeld: Chairman; Bernard B. Jacobs: President)
Music by Henry Krieger; Book by Tom Eyen; Lyrics by Tom Eyen; Music orchestrated by Harold Wheeler; Musical Director: Yolanda Segovia; Vocal arrangements by Cleavant Derricks
Directed by Michael Bennett; Choreographed by Michael Bennett and Michael Peters; Choreographed by Michael Bennett and Michael Peters
Scenic Design by Robin Wagner; Assistant to Mr. Wagner: Linda Hacker; Costume Design by Theoni V. Aldredge; Associate Costume Designer: Frank Krenz; Lighting Design by Tharon Musser; Assistant to Ms. Musser: Gregg Marriner; Sound Design by Otts Munderloh; Hair Design by Ted Azar; Assistant to Mr. Munderloh: Cynthia J. Hawkins; Special Assistant to Ms. Aldredge: Suzy Benzinger and Woody Lane
General Manager: Marvin A. Krauss Associates, Inc., Eric M. Angelson, Gary Gunas and Steven C. Callahan; Management Associate: Joey Parnes
Production Stage Manager: Jeff Hamlin; Stage Manager: Zane Weiner and Frank di Filia; Technical Coordinator: Arthur Siccardi; Assistant Stage Mgr: Jacqueline Yancey
Musical Supervisor: Harold Wheeler; Assistant Conductor: Nicholas Cerrato; Music Contractor: Seymour 'Red' Press; Keyboards: Myles Chase; Drums: Brian Brake; Bass: Tinker Barfield; Guitars: Andrew Schwartz and Peter Strode; Music Preparation Supervisor: Mathilde Pincus, Al Miller and Bob Holloway
Assistant to Mr. Wagner: Raymond Huessy
General Press Representative: Merle Debuskey; Press Representative: Diane Judge; Production Assistant: Charles Suisman; Advertising: Serino, Coyne & Nappi; Casting: OLAIYA; Casting Consultant: Johnson-Liff Associates; Asst. to the Choreographers: Geneva Burke; Miss Holliday's Fur by The Christie Brothers; Dance Captain: Brenda Braxton
Obba Babatundé
C.C. White
Cleavant Derricks
James Thunder Early
Loretta Devine
Lorrell Robinson
Ben Harney
Curtis Taylor, Jr.
Jennifer Holliday
Effie Melody White
Dec 09, 1981 - Dec 1982
Sheryl Lee Ralph
Deena Jones
Deborah Burrell
Michelle Morris
 
One of "The Stepp Sisters"
Vondie Curtis-Hall
Marty
Tony Franklin
Wayne
David Thomé
Frank
a press agent
Cheryl Alexander
Charlene
 
One of "Les Style"
 
Ensemble
Phylicia Ayers-Allen
Ensemble
Vanessa Bell
One of "The Stepp Sisters"
 
Ensemble
Charles Bernard
One of "Little Albert and the Tru-Tones"
 
One of "The James Early Band"
 
One of "The Five Tuxedoes"
 
Ensemble
Paul Binotto
Dave
 
Film Executive
 
Ensemble
Candy Darling
One of "The Sweethearts"
 
Ensemble
Ronald Dunham
Ensemble
Stephanie Eley
One of "The Sweethearts"
 
Ensemble
Sheila Ellis
Edna Burke
 
Ensemble
Thomas Scott Gordon
One of "The James Early Band"
Tenita Jordan
One of "The Stepp Sisters"
 
One of "Les Style"
 
Ensemble
Linda Lloyd
Joanne
 
One of "Les Style"
 
Ensemble
Carol Logen
One of "The Sweethearts"
Joe Lynn
Tiny Joe Dixon
 
Jerry
a nightclub owner
 
Ensemble
Frank Mastrocola
Ensemble
Jamie Patterson
One of "Little Albert and the Tru-Tones"
 
One of "The James Early Band"
 
One of "The Five Tuxedoes"
 
Ensemble
Wellington Perkins
One of "Little Albert and the Tru-Tones"
 
One of "The James Early Band"
 
Ensemble
Scott Plank
One of "The James Early Band"
 
Film Executive
 
Ensemble
Brenda Pressley
One of "The Stepp Sisters"
 
One of "Les Style"
 
Ensemble
Charles Randolph-Wright
One of "Little Albert and the Tru-Tones"
 
One of "The James Early Band"
 
One of "The Five Tuxedoes"
 
Ensemble
Larry Stewart
The M.C.
 
One of "The Five Tuxedoes"
 
Mr. Morgan
 
Ensemble
David Thomé
Ensemble
Weyman Thompson
One of "Little Albert and the Tru-Tones"
 
One of "The James Early Band"
 
One of "The Five Tuxedoes"
 
Film Executive
 
Ensemble
Swings: Brenda Braxton and Milton Craig Nealy
Understudies: Cheryl Alexander (Lorrell Robinson), Phylicia Ayers-Allen (Deena Jones), Vondie Curtis-Hall (Curtis Taylor, Jr.), Sheila Ellis (Effie Melody White), Tony Franklin (C.C. White), Linda Lloyd (Michelle Morris), Milton Craig Nealy (Marty, Jerry), Scott Plank (Frank), Larry Stewart (James Thunder Early) and Weyman Thompson (Wayne)

Imperial Theatre (Dec 20, 1981 - Aug 11, 1985)

Management Associate: Allan Williams and Jeff Capitola
Production Supervisor: Jeff Hamlin
Bass: Luico Hopper

Cast

Hinton Battle
James Thunder Early
Linda Leilani Brown
Deena Jones
Deborah Burrell
Deena Jones
Teresa Burrell
Lorrell Robinson
Terry Burrell
Lorrell Robinson
Lawrence Clayton
C.C. White
Roz Ryan
Effie Melody White
Vanessa Townsell
Effie Melody White
Dec 1982 - ?
Terry Burrell
Michelle Morris
Wellington Perkins
Wayne
Richie Abanes
One of "Little Albert and the Tru-Tones"
 
One of "The James Early Band"
 
One of "The Five Tuxedoes"
 
Ensemble
Cheryl Alexander
Lorrell Robinson
Khandi Alexander
Charlene
 
Stepp Sister
 
One of "Les Style"
 
Ensemble
Ethel Beatty
Charlene
 
Joanne
 
One of "Les Style"
Susan Beaubian
One of "The Stepp Sisters"
 
One of "Les Style"
 
Deena Jones
Ray Benson
Dave
 
Film Executive
Mary Denise Bentley
One of "Les Style"
 
Ensemble
Brenda Braxton
Charlene
 
One of "Les Style"
Barry Bruce
One of "Little Albert and the Tru-Tones"
 
One of "The James Early Band"
 
One of "The Five Tuxedoes"
 
Ensemble
Terry Burrell
One of "The Stepp Sisters"
Abe Clark
The M.C.
 
One of "Little Albert and the Tru-Tones"
 
One of "The James Early Band"
 
Ensemble
Bobby Daye
One of "Little Albert and the Tru-Tones"
 
One of "The James Early Band"
 
One of "The Five Tuxedoes"
 
Ensemble
Tony Franklin
C.C. White
Thomas Scott Gordon
Ensemble
 
One of "Little Albert and the Tru-Tones"
 
One of "The Five Tuxedoes"
Lisa Grant
One of "The Sweethearts"
 
Ensemble
Christopher Gregory
Ensemble
 
One of "Little Albert and the Tru-Tones"
 
One of "The James Early Band"
David Alan Grier
James Thunder Early
Nina Hennessey
One of "The Sweethearts"
 
Ensemble
Rhetta Hughes
One of "The Stepp Sisters"
Roy Jones
Tiny Joe Dixon
 
Jerry
a nightclub owner
Adriane Lenox
Charlene
 
One of "Les Style"
 
Ensemble
 
Lorrell Robinson
Kecia Lewis
Ensemble
 
Edna Burke
Julia McGirt
Effie Melody White
 
Edna Burke
Hal Miller
Film Executive
 
Ensemble
Tim Millett
One of "The James Early Band"
 
Ensemble
Gordon Owens
One of "Little Albert and the Tru-Tones"
 
One of "The James Early Band"
 
One of "The Five Tuxedoes"
 
Ensemble
Wellington Perkins
C.C. White
Richard Poole
Dave
1983 - ?
 
Film Executive
1983 - ?
Brenda Pressley
Michelle Morris
Eric Riley
One of "Little Albert and the Tru-Tones"
 
One of "The James Early Band"
 
One of "The Five Tuxedoes"
 
Film Executive
 
Ensemble
 
Wayne
Roz Ryan
Edna Burke
Graciela Simpson
One of "The Stepp Sisters"
 
Ensemble
Ronald "Smokey" Stevens
The M.C.
 
One of "The Five Tuxedoes"
 
Mr. Morgan
 
Ensemble
Leon Summers, Jr.
The M.C.
 
Mr. Morgan
 
One of "The Five Tuxedoes"
 
Ensemble
Gina Taylor
One of "The Stepp Sisters"
 
Ensemble
Johnnie Teamer
Joanne
 
One of "Les Style"
 
Ensemble
Weyman Thompson
Curtis Taylor, Jr.
Buddy Vest
Frank
a press agent
 
Ensemble
Sean Walker
One of "Little Albert and the Tru-Tones"
 
One of "The James Early Band"
 
Ensemble
David Warren-Gibson
Film Executive
 
Ensemble
Allison Williams
Joanne
 
One of "Les Style"
 
Ensemble
 
Edna Burke
Swings: Charles Bernard , Phillip Gilmore and Allison Williams
Understudies: Richie Abanes (Dave), Ethel Beatty (Deena Jones, Michelle Morris), Susan Beaubian (Michelle Morris, Lorrell Robinson, Deena Jones), Charles Bernard (Tiny Joe Dixon, Wayne), Paul Binotto (Jerry), Terry Burrell (Lorrell Robinson, Deena Jones), Abe Clark (The M.C., Mr. Morgan), Frank di Filia (Frank), Tony Franklin (Curtis Taylor, Jr., James Thunder Early), Phillip Gilmore (James Thunder Early), Christopher Gregory (Frank), Adriane Lenox (Lorrell Robinson), Kecia Lewis (Effie Melody White), Julia McGirt (Effie Melody White), Hal Miller (Jerry, Dave, Frank), Milton Craig Nealy (The M.C., Mr. Morgan), Gordon Owens (Wayne, C.C. White), Wellington Perkins (C.C. White, The M.C., Mr. Morgan), Brenda Pressley (Deena Jones, Effie Melody White, Michelle Morris), Eric Riley (Wayne), Roz Ryan (Effie Melody White), Ronald "Smokey" Stevens (Marty), Larry Stewart (Curtis Taylor, Jr., Marty), Leon Summers, Jr. (Marty), Johnnie Teamer (Deena Jones, Michelle Morris), Sean Walker (M.C., Mr. Morgan), David Warren-Gibson (Frank) and Lillias White (Effie Melody White)
music by Henry Krieger; lyrics by Tom Eyen
Act 1
Sung By
I'm Looking 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 Melody White, Lorrell Robinson and Deena Jones
Fake Your Way to the Top
James Thunder Early, Effie Melody White, Lorrell Robinson, Deena Jones and The James Early Band
Cadillac Car
Curtis Taylor, Jr., James Thunder Early, C.C. White, Marty and The Company
Cadillac Car (Reprise)
The Company
Steppin' to the Bad Side
Curtis Taylor, Jr., C.C. White, James Thunder Early, Wayne, Effie Melody White, Lorrell Robinson, Deena Jones and The Company
Party, Party
The Company
I Want You Baby
James Thunder Early, Effie Melody White, Lorrell Robinson and Deena Jones
Family
C.C. White, Curtis Taylor, Jr., James Thunder Early, Deena Jones and Lorrell Robinson
Dreamgirls
Effie Melody White, Lorrell Robinson and Deena Jones
Press Conference
The Company
Only the Beginning
Curtis Taylor, Jr., Deena Jones and Effie Melody White
Heavy
Effie Melody White, Lorrell Robinson and Deena Jones
Heavy (Reprise)
Effie Melody White, Lorrell Robinson and Deena Jones
It's All Over
Curtis Taylor, Jr., Effie Melody White, Deena Jones, Lorrell Robinson, C.C. White, Michelle Morris and James Thunder Early
And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going
Effie Melody White
Love Love You Baby
Lorrell Robinson, Deena Jones and Michelle Morris
Act 2
Sung By
"Dreams" Medley
Deena Jones, Lorrell Robinson, Michelle Morris and The Company
Dreamgirls (replaced "Dreams Medley" during run) (Reprise)
Deena Jones, Lorrell Robinson, Michelle Morris and The Company
I Am Changing
Effie Melody White
One More Picture Please
The Company
When I First Saw You
Curtis Taylor, Jr. and Deena Jones
Got to Be Good Times
The Five Tuxedos
Ain't No Party
Lorrell Robinson and James Thunder Early
I Meant You No Harm
James Thunder Early
Quintette
Deena Jones, Lorrell Robinson, C.C. White, Michelle Morris and James Thunder Early
The Rap
James Thunder Early, C.C. White, Marty, Frank, Lorrell Robinson and The Company
I Miss You Old Friend
Effie Melody White, Marty, C.C. White and Les Style
One Night Only
Effie Melody White
One Night Only (Reprise)
Deena Jones, Lorrell Robinson, Michelle Morris and The Company
I'm Somebody
Deena Jones, Lorrell Robinson and Michelle Morris
Faith in Myself
Effie Melody White
Hard to Say Goodbye, My Love
Deena Jones, Lorrell Robinson and Michelle Morris

Tony Award®

 

Best Musical

1982 Nominee
Produced by Michael Bennett , Bob Avian , Geffen Records and The Shubert Organization (Gerald Schoenfeld: Chairman; Bernard B. Jacobs: President)

Best Book of a Musical

1982 Winner
Book by Tom Eyen
 

Best Original Score

1982 Nominee
Lyrics by Tom Eyen
Music by Henry Krieger

Best Actor in a Musical

1982 Winner
Ben Harney

Best Actress in a Musical

1982 Winner
Jennifer Holliday
 

Best Actress in a Musical

1982 Nominee
Sheryl Lee Ralph

Best Featured Actor in a Musical

1982 Winner
Cleavant Derricks
 

Best Featured Actor in a Musical

1982 Nominee
Obba Babatundé
 

Best Scenic Design

1982 Nominee
Scenic Design by Robin Wagner
 

Best Costume Design

1982 Nominee
Costume Design by Theoni V. Aldredge

Best Lighting Design

1982 Winner
Lighting Design by Tharon Musser

Best Choreography

1982 Winner
Choreographed by Michael Bennett and Michael Peters
 

Best Direction of a Musical

1982 Nominee
Directed by Michael Bennett

Drama Desk Award

 

Outstanding Musical

1982 Nominee
Produced by Michael Bennett , Bob Avian , Geffen Records and The Shubert Organization (Gerald Schoenfeld: Chairman; Bernard B. Jacobs: President)

Outstanding Actress in a Musical

1982 Winner
Jennifer Holliday
 

Outstanding Actress in a Musical

1982 Nominee
Sheryl Lee Ralph

Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical

1982 Winner
Cleavant Derricks
 

Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical

1982 Nominee
Ben Harney
 

Outstanding Director of a Musical

1982 Nominee
Directed by Michael Bennett
 

Outstanding Lyrics

1982 Nominee
Lyrics by Tom Eyen
 

Outstanding Costume Design

1982 Nominee
Costume Design by Theoni V. Aldredge

Outstanding Lighting Design

1982 Winner
Lighting Design by Tharon Musser

Outstanding Set Design

1982 Winner
Scenic Design by Robin Wagner

Theatre World

Award

1982 Recipient
Jennifer Holliday
Season:
View Graph
Week Ending Gross % Gross Pot. Attendance % Capacity # Previews # Perf.
Statistics supplied are courtesy of The Broadway League.
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