Dreamgirls: Ready To Return, Starting With Apollo Call

By Karu F. Daniels, BlackVoices.com

Don't think the legacy of the hit Broadway musical, 'Dreamgirls,' stops at Jennifer Hudson winning the Academy Award for her break-out role in the crafty movie adaptation of it.

No.

A fully-funded national tour of the legendary tour-de-force is underway, and the world's famous Apollo Theater is serving as its starting point.

Theatrical press agent Wayne Wolfe confirmed that a production of the show, directed and choreographed by Bobby Longbottom with music direction by Zane Mark, is underway for 2009.

Produced by John Breglio for Vienna Waits Productions, open auditions for the show's lead characters of Deena Jones, Effie White and Lorrell Robinson will take place the Apollo Theater on the morning of Nov. 1. Casting directors are looking for women in their 20's.As many know, 'Dreamgirls' is the story of a young female singing trio from Chicago, and their rocky road to superstardom.

The original Broadway production of 'Dreamgirls' opened December 20, 1981 at the Imperial Theatre and won six 1982 Tony Awards. Sheryl Lee Ralph, Jennifer Holliday, and Loretta Devine comprised the original roles in the acclaimed musical directed by Michael Bennett and choreographed by Michael Peters. For close to four years, it played 1,522 performances– making it the most successful and most celebrated black-focused show on The Great White Way.

'Dreamgirls' was adapted into a glitzy motion picture by DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures, and opened in December 2006. Bill Condon directed the flick starring Beyonce Knowles, Jennifer Hudson, Anika Noni Rose, Eddie Murphy and Oscar winner Jamie Foxx.

Hudson won a slew of awards for her role, including the prestigious Academy Award for "Best Supporting Actress."

The Apollo Theater, "where stars are born and legends are made" is located in at 253 West 125 Street in the Harlem section of New York City.