Iconic Broadway musical Dreamgirls to open at the Savoy Theatre starring Amber Riley.
The long awaited West End premiere of iconic musical Dreamgirls is almost over, with the announcement that Amber Riley has been cast in the key role of Effie. Sonia Friedman, who owns the West End rights to the production mentioned earlier this week that Dreamgirls would likely begin previews in November 2016, however it is now confirmed and the production will open at London’s Savoy Theatre.
The production will be choreographed and directed by Olivier and Tony-Award® winning Casey Nicolaw (The Book of Mormon, Aladdin, Something Rotten!), with Tim Hatley creating sets; while Gregg Barnes is in negotiations to design costumes.
Friedman said “This great, now classic American musical is coming to London at long last, and I couldn’t be more excited. This new production will begin performances later this year, directed by the brilliant, multi-award winning Broadway director Casey Nicholaw.’
Casey Nicholaw said “I am beyond thrilled to be directing and choreographing Dreamgirls in the West End. It was one of the first shows I saw when I moved to New York in 1982 and has been my favourite show ever since. We’ve begun to assemble a terrific cast of actors here in the UK. We also have a terrific design team lined up – it’s going to be a smart and sexy production. I’m so excited about working with Amber. I loved her on Glee and when her name came up for this, I thought – Wow, I think she could be incredible – and then when she came in to audition for us, she blew us away!”
Amber Riley, who makes her West End debut, is most known for playing the powerhouse sole diva Mercedes Jones on six seasons of Glee. According to reports her audition for the role was mesmerising. Full casting is still ongoing
Dreamgirls charts the rise to the top of the Dream, from schoolgirls to international stardom, mirroring to some extend Diana Ross and the Supremes and her relationship with Motown founder Berry Gordy.
With book and lyrics by Tom Eyen and music by Henry Krieger, the original Broadway production of Dreamgirls, opened in 1981 and subsequently won six Tony Awards®. The West End production will be a complete reimagining of the original and will include the hit song ‘Listen’ from the Dreamgirls film starring Beyonce and Jennifer Hudson.
Dreamgirls will open in December 2016, previewing from 19 November 2016 at the Savoy Theatre.
