The Plot: The Dreams are a
female group lead by Effie, trying to get in the music business in the 60s.
Helped by an unscrupulous manager, Curtis, the group starts by playing back vocals
to the famous Jimmy Early, and then move on their own. But Curtis gives the
lead vocal to Deena and things get sour between them all.
The Show: This musical
waited 35 years to arrive in London and I guess they were waiting for someone exactly
like Amber Riley to play the leading role of Effie. She’s utterly amazing and
gives a star turn performance. Who would have known that the Mercedes of the
juvenile GLEE television series could be bigger than life? She literally stops
the show with her fabulous renditions of “And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going”, “I
Am Changing”, my favorite song of the show, and with “Listen” a duet with Liisi
LaFontaine
But the show
isn’t just her. LaFontaine is perfectly cast as Deena and so is Asmeret
Ghebremichael as the third girl of the group. In the male roles, Joe Aaron Reid
is a strong and charming Curtis and Adam J. Bernard a hysterical Jimmy.
Once again
director/choreographer Casey Nicholaw (ALADDIN, THE BOOK OF MORMON, THE DROWSY
CHAPERONE) makes a show flow without unnecessary stops. In his hands,
everything merges flawlessly and the result is an exciting and highly emotional
musical drama.
As for the score,
this isn’t exactly my kind of music, but it works perfectly on stage and the
mentioned songs gave me goosebumps. A great time at the theatre and Amber Riley
is a star in her own right!
Creative Team: Music by Henry
Krieger • Lyrics by Tom Eyen • Book by Tom Eyen • Choreography by Casey
Nicholaw • Directed by Casey Nicholaw
My Rate: 8 (from 1 to 10)
/ Photos: Brinkhoff/Mägenburg
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