Some of us will recall one of the biggest musical theater battles in Tony award history. It was 1982. Those of us who had seen both shows on Broadway sat glued to the tv to see whether Michael Bennett’s electrifying Dreamgirls, or Tommy Tune’s bare-budget Nine would be the big winner that night. Dreamgirls seemed like the shoo-in for that award.
The excitement of seeing that original production of Dreamgirls will always be fresh in my mind, and I am happy to report that exactly what happened in NYC happened at the Garden Theatre this afternoon watching Victory Productions/Garden Theatre’s partnership production of Dreamgirls — the audience was on its feet at the end of Act I and it was back on its feet at the end of the show. And very deservedly so.
This production is stunning and throughout the show it felt like a surge of energy was passed throughout the audience. This isn’t the type of musical you can just sit back and relax, because you find yourself so caught up in the drama of the (barely disguised) tale of Diana Ross and the Supremes (here, Deena Jones and the Dreams) from rise to eventual parting of the ways. There are spontaneous eruptions of laughing, and talk-backs, and applause throughout the production. As it should be. As it was in 1982 and as it is still relevant today.
Beautifully directed by De’lon Grant, choreographed by Solomon Jaye, and Musical Directed by John B. Dehaas, the production takes off where most musicals would never dare to start, and it barrels like a steamtrain to it’s conclusion, Along the way you get some of Broadway’s best pop songs by Tom Even and Henry Krieger, and of course, the inevitable “And I am Telling You I’m not Going” brilliantly delivered by powerhouse Effie, Brianna Javis. She has the audience in her hand from her first appearance to her last. As it should be. As it was in 1982.
Jazzmin Carson is very strong and delivers an effortless looking Deena (which is remarkable given how very difficult these roles are). Stephanie Dorcely creates a spunky Lorrell while Arei Moon is a funny Michelle later in the show. These women are fantastic.
The men are equally impressive, led by Maurice Alpharicio as Curtis, Demille Cole-Heard as James Thunder Early, Ishmon Brown as CC, and James Berkley as Marty.
The ensemble plays various other parts as needed, and each of them are exceptionally talented – Laiya Parker, Olamide Asanpaola, Shatonya Bryant, Tirrell Fuller, AR Williams, Brett Hennessey Jones, and Broderick O’Neal. They also serve as understudies for the leads, and should you happen to see one of them step in for a performance, don’t worry, you will be in great hands. Everyone here is equally outstanding.
Lighting and Set Design work hand in hand with Projections and make the small Garden Theatre stage look bigger than it is. Costumes and wigs are incredible as are several costume changes (which also got applause). Every inch of the stage is utilized in this production, including the on-stage band.
That is also this production’s liability — this undersized cast both fills the stage, yet isn’t fully large enough for this show, which requires a larger ensemble to make some of the numbers pop (especially noticable in numbers like “Steppin’ to the Bad Side” and the Five Tuxedos being played by three.) There were also some minor sound problems at the performance I saw, with some late mic entrances and insufficient volume which becomes most noticable in the sung dialogue sections.
You will leave the theater flying on air and raving about it, and possibly (like myself) getting a ticket to return to see it again later in the month. You’ll leave raving about the performances and wondering where Brianna Javis has been all your life. And you will leave scratching your head wondering how Nine won the Best Musical Tony over Dreamgirls…though we all know that the best musical doesn’t always win the Best Musical award, today or in 1982.
Don’t miss this incredible production. Very Highest Recommendation.
Dreamgirls runs through August 6th at the Garden Theatre, 160 W Plant St, Winter Garden FL. Tickets at Gardentheatre.org, the box office, or 407-877-4736.
Mostly Musical Theatre 
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