In show business it’s all about chasing your dreams. The Essential Theatre’s production of the Tony Award-winning classic “Dreamgirls,” tells the story of chasing your dreams and making them come true.
The play stars Travaulya Wallace as Effie White, Erin Washington as Lorell Robinson, Rashada Dawan as Deanna Jones and Oni Bryant as Michelle Morris. These four women portray the unforgettable sound of “The Dreams”.
The play takes a closer look into all the glitter, glamour and greed that comes along with stardom as Effie is replaced by Deanna because of issues the group’s manager has with her size and voice..
The play goes on to tell the story of a talented, soulful trio and its former leader as they journey on the road to fame.
“Dream Girls,” directed by Luther Wells, is musically reminiscent of the 60s, a time when pure soul music was popular.
Samuel Haynes, a volunteer drummer for the “Dreamgirls” band, said that audience members should be ready for an evening of musical storytelling,
“They should be prepared for an evening of symphonic funk,” said Haynes, 21, a senior criminal justice student from Miami.
“The music is really groovy, the music carries the story. The unexpected things that happen in the story happen in the music.”
Not only does the music help to tell the story of the ambitious dreams as they face the many obstacles of the business, but the songs will bring the audience to their feet.
Through the music, audience members will feel the struggles and triumphs of the starry-eyed teens through their powerful voices.
“Travaulya who plays Effie White, is a close second to Jennifer Holiday (who originally played the role),” said Kimberly Harding, assistant professor of theatre.
“She is going to steal the show with here rendition of ‘And I am telling you I’m not going’.”
Not only will patrons experience a night of great music but they will also get a better understanding of what it takes to be a true star.
They will learn that with every dream comes heartache and compromise, but in the end there is nothing better than living your dream.
“The value of the play examines what we are willing to do or give up to reach are goals in life,” Wells said.
Wells said that the play not only shows people with dreams of stardom what it takes to succeed but also those interested in any other industry such as business or science.
” It order to make in life there is some kind of sacrifice to be made,” Wells said.
If patrons get nothing else from the play, they will learn what it takes to make it in the music industry.For those who are just coming for entertainment, they will get that too.
Kanya Simon can be reached at kanyasimon@aol.com.