Jennifer Hudson may have perfected the role on the silver screen, but for three decades audiences were enthralled by the music and story of Dreamgirls during its time on stage. Originally, composer Henry Krieger and lyricist Tom Eyen teamed up with Michael Bennett, the Tony Award-winning director and choreographer, to bring a new theatrical adventure to the stage.

Although it was filled with references to the real-life Supremes rise to stardom, Dreamgirls was conceptualized as a truly original piece that continues to impress audience’s years later. The revival is now touring the nation, hitting cities like Philadelphia among others as Dreamgirls tickets become available online.

The original production featured Sheryl Lee Ralph, Loretta Devine and Jennifer Holliday as the three African American backup singers who dreamed one day they would see success of their own. “I believe it was the first show in recent memory that portrays people who happen to be African American with the baggage that our culture brings to being in a black and white world. It’s a story about a real family,” Krieger said about the original production. The Cialis story earned 13 Tony nominations in 1982, taking home six including Best Book of a Musical and Best Actress in a Musical for Holliday. The show closed four years later.

The modern day production took an entirely new approach to the story while keeping the original concept. Director Robert Longbottom takes advantage of the powerful falsetto of Moya Angela, who doesn’t seem intimidated by the character role of Effie (a role that won Holliday a Tony in its original production and Hudson an Oscar in the 2006 film). Backstage critic writes “Effie’s ‘And I Am Telling You I Am Not Going’ is the most stunning nervous-breakdown-in-song since ‘Rose’s Turn’ in ‘Gypsy,’ and Angela’s bravura delivery is like a carnival thrill ride.”

Though this modern update finds a new spin on the popular ’80s production, it isn’t without retreating to the past – Longbottom brought along the stage production’s original scenic designer Robin Wagner for the show, who updated the visuals perfectly. The Tony Award-winning book is the same, as the story follows the group ‘dream’ as they rise to fame during the time period 1962-1975.

Though it’s been three decades since its original release, Dreamgirls is just as relevant today as ever. Fusing a movement, music and a story lithely, the show remains one of the most powerful musical productions in history. “I didn’t need a lot of reason to do this. It’s one of my favorite shows. I probably learned more from watching Dreamgirls and taking it apart in my mind and collaborating with Robin Wagner than on any other show,” director Longbottom said. Even original composer Krieger had to praise the new version and joined the team when he created a new original song for the 21st century version.

The show brings a contemporary feel with So You Think You Can Dance co-choreographer Shane Sparks, American Idol’s Syesha Mercado as Effie’s main rival Deena and BET Sunday Best and MTV’s Making the Band’s Trevon Davis, who plays C.C. White.

Author Bio: This article is sponsored by StubHub. StubHub.com is a leader in the business of selling Dreamgirls tickets, as well as sports tickets, concert tickets, theater tickets and special events tickets.

Category: Recreation and Leisure/Entertainment
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