Broadway | Theatre TBA | Opens Fall 2027 (Co-Producer)

Creative Team

The original 1981 production of Dreamgirls was created by composer Henry Krieger and lyricist/book writer Tom Eyen, with legendary direction and choreography by Michael Bennett.

Synopsis

Inspired by the real-life trajectories of 1960s R&B acts like The Supremes and James Brown, Dreamgirls follows "The Dreams," an ambitious all-Black female singing trio from Chicago consisting of Effie White, Deena Jones, and Lorrell Robinson. Discovered by smooth-talking manager Curtis Taylor Jr., the girls get their big break backing soul singer James "Thunder" Early. However, as Curtis ruthlessly cross-promotes the group to mainstream white pop audiences, he replaces the soulful, headstrong Effie as lead singer with the more conventionally commercial Deena. The show explores themes of showbiz politics, betrayal, and personal resilience, anchored by powerhouse numbers like "One Night Only" and the legendary Act I showstopper, "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going."

Production History & Broadway Highlights

Dreamgirls originally opened on Broadway at the Imperial Theatre in December 1981, becoming a massive cultural phenomenon. It ran for nearly four years, earning 13 Tony nominations and winning six, catapulting Jennifer Holliday (the original Effie White) to international stardom. It also inspired an Academy Award-winning 2006 film adaptation and a highly acclaimed 2016 West End premiere starring Amber Riley.

The musical is set to make its highly anticipated return to New York in Fall 2026 with its first-ever newly reimagined Broadway revival. This upcoming production is directed and choreographed by five-time Tony Award nominee Camille A. Brown (Hell's Kitchen). Adding massive star power behind the scenes, EGOT winner Jennifer Hudson, who famously won an Oscar for playing Effie in the 2006 film, officially joined the production team as a lead producer. To cast the foundational trio of The Dreams, the production launched a massive worldwide open talent search across major global cities, generating intense anticipation for Broadway's newest stars.