Sonia Friedman Productions has acquired the rights to a full West End production of the musical and it is rumored that Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon, Aladdin) will direct. The musical’s planning is still in the early stages and no venue has been mentioned, but it’s believed that it will go to London towards the end of 2016 or beginning of 2017. A London premiere in 2016, would mark the 35^th Anniversary of the musical.

Casting also hasn’t been announced, but open singer auditions were held in May for “black and mixed race performers with strong soul/pop voices for the lead roles of Effie White, Deena Jones, Lorrell Robinson, Curtis Taylor Jr., Jimmy Early and C.C. White.”

The musical, which features music by Henry Krieger and a book and lyrics by Tom Eyen, tells the story of a singing trio of black divas, “The Dreams,” and their rise to stardom in the 60’s. The trio is eventually torn apart by another predictable trio of fame, fortune, and men. The original Broadway production opened on December 20, 1981 and closed on August 11, 1985, after 1,521 performances. The cast starred Sheryl Lee Ralph as “Deena Jones,” Jennifer Holliday as “Effie White,” Loretta Devine as “Lorrell Robinson,” Ben Harney as “Curtis Taylor, Jr.,” Cleavant Derricks as “James “Thunder” Early,” and Obba Babatundé as “C. C. White.”

In addition to Beyoncé as “Deena” and Hudson as “Effie,” the 2006 hit movie had plenty of star power with Jamie Fox as “Curtis,” Eddie Murphy as “Jimmie,” Anika Noni Rose as “Lorrell,” and Danny Glover as “Marty.” Original Dreamgirl, Loretta Devine also made a cameo appearance as a jazz singer.

Sonia Friedman Productions is a West End and Broadway production company responsible for some of the most successful theatre productions in London and on Broadway over the past few years. Since 1990, the company has developed, initiated, and produced over 135 new productions, including Much Ado About Nothing, Jerusalem, The Book of Mormon, Legally Blonde the Musical, Betrayal, Arcadia, The Mountaintop, The Children’s Hour and All My Sons.

The post Dreamgirls May Debut In The West End For 35th Anniversary appeared first on Broadway Black.

Newcomer Tosin Morohunfola portrays Cephas, the youngest Sykes son and med-school hopeful with an itch for adventure. The always phenomenal E. Faye Butler portrays Sister Juba, a tough-as-nails blues singer with a few secrets. Also, Claire Kander makes her Goodman Theatre debut in the role of Lutie, a stowaway. The musicians aboard the train include Jmichael (Keys) on piano, Anderson Edwards (Shorty) on bass, Chic Street Man (Professor Slick) on guitar and Senuwell Smith (Twist) on drums.

It’s June of 1937, and the Panama Limited Pullman Train is speeding from Chicago to New Orleans on the night of the Joe Louis/James Braddock world heavyweight championship. Three generations of Sykes men—African American train porters—wrestle with ghosts of the past and dreams for the future as they eagerly await word of the Brown Bomber’s victory. Set to timeless Blues tunes performed by a live, on-stage band, Pullman Porter Blues is a spirited, music-infused ride you won’t soon forget!

“I remember being enamored with the smiling Pullman porters on my first train ride. Little did I know about the horrific
working conditions they faced; and yet they persevered to become the first organized black labor union, a feat that cost
many of them their jobs and their lives,” said playwright Cheryl L. West. “I have the incredible opportunity to bring this play to
Chicago, my hometown, where so many Pullman porters lived. With the Sykes men as guides, audiences are invited to both
explore the dark world behind the porters’ smiles and to recapture that initial fascination with a long train journey.

Make sure to get your tickets ASAP! Show started previews this past Saturday (September 14) and runs thru October 20, 2013 In the Albert
Approximate running time: 2 hours and 40 minutes with one intermission

There is still time to get tickets for the special Blues & Brews night on September 19 at 6pm; an evening of food, music and fun before a performance of Pullman Porter Blues. Enjoy a pre-show beer tasting, light hors d’oeuvres and the tunes of live Blues classics. Then, hear E. Faye Butler (Sister Juba) talk about her role in the play. Tickets are $49

for this event

.

Check out The Goodman Theatre for more information

The post Don’t Miss It: Pullman Porter Blues At The Goodman Theatre Starring Cleavant Derricks appeared first on Broadway Black.