Theatrius
  • Now Playing
  • All Reviews
  • Writers
  • Reflections
  • Millennial Notes
  • Join Us
  • About Us
  • Search Icon

Theatrius

Theater Reviews—San Francisco and Beyond

“Dreamgirls” Hits the High Notes, at Berkeley Playhouse

“Dreamgirls” Hits the High Notes, at Berkeley Playhouse

September 30, 2018 Justin Lopez

Millennial Notes

Brendan Simon Captures Motown, R&B Glory Days

by Justin Lopez

In a large dressing room decked in 60s decor, former R&B band lead singer Effie White (fearless Tanika Baptiste) passionately begs her partner and band manager not to leave her. First, she is totally desperate, but her pleas become demands to remain with the band. She defiantly sings out: “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going.”

“Dreamgirls” depicts the rise of a fictional Motown, R&B band, The Dreams, based on Diana Ross and The Supremes. Led at first by Effie, then by the ravishing Deena Jones (powerhouse Marissa Rudd), the Dreams deliver beautiful harmonies punctuated by commanding lead vocals. With all the powerful belting, by the end of the show I wonder how the cast has any breath left!

Tanika Baptiste, Loreigna Sinclair, Marissa Rudd, and Kris Anthony Williams

Effie dreams of stardom, but the group’s calculating manager Curtis Taylor, Jr. (electrifying Stephen Wilson) installs Deena as the band’s front-runner because of her looks. The Dreams and their entire entourage are shocked, because apparently Effie is the superior singer.

As Effie puts it, “I’ve got the voice!” This conflict loses some believability in this production  because Rudd’s singing is truly impeccable! Even the third Dreams’ singer Lorell Robinson (ebullient Loreigna Sinclair) is superb! As a result, it’s challenging to buy into Effie’s insults toward her bandmates. They’ve all got the voice!

Marcel Saunders (James “Thunder” Early). Photos by Ben Krantz Studios

The Dreams are joined by Jimmy Early (soulful Marcel Saunders) who carries himself with a tantalizing swagger. Jimmy exudes soul, gliding seamlessly between raspy blues and smooth jazz. As the musical trends change around him, he desperately tries to stay relevant, even dropping his pants to gain attention.

Director Brendan Simon brings out the absolute best in his cast of talented vocalists. In a standout moment, Simon skillfully highlights Effie’s desperation after being replaced. Her defiance is  layered and  heartbreaking.

Kris Anthony Williams and Chanel Tilghman

Simon also choreographs the show! He injects influences from hip-hop, jazz, and house dance into classic Motown moves. The most brilliant dance number of the evening, “Steppin’ to the Badside,” incorporates stepping and popping, bringing out the edginess in the cast.

“Dreamgirls” fans will be delighted by the expertly sung signature numbers and brilliant acting. Although I wish we could sympathize more with Effie’s replacement, I am blown away by the incredible vocals from the entire amazing cast, as well as the wonderful directing.

Marissa Rudd, Tanika Baptiste, and Loreigna Sinclair

“Dreamgirls” –book and lyrics by Tom Eyen, music by Henry Krieger, directed and choreographed by Brendan Simon, at Berkeley Playhouse, through Sunday, October 21, 2108. Info: berkeleyplayhouse.org

Cast: Tanika Baptiste, Marissa Rudd, Marcel Saunders, Loreigna Sinclair, Chanel Tilghman, ShawnJ West, Kris Anthony Williams, Stephen Wilson, Joe Ayers, Isaiah Collins, Johnny Davison,

Vida Mae Fernandez, Ella Ruth Francis, Jennifer Frazier, Katie Iannitello, Elizabeth Jones, Aurelia Jordan, Cadarious Mayberry, Montel Anthony Nord, Zach Padlo, Tiana Paulding, and The T.


Musical, Plays
"Dreamgirls", Deena Jones, Diana Ross, Effie White, Motown, Musical, R&B, The Supremes

Post navigation

NEXT
“dirty butterfly” Destroys and Rebuilds, at Anton’s Well, Berkeley
PREVIOUS
“The (curious case of the) Watson Intelligence”—Actors Shine, at Dragon, Redwood City
Comments are closed.

Menu

  • Now Playing
  • All Reviews
  • Writers
  • Reflections
  • Millennial Notes
  • Join Us
  • About Us

BLM

Black Lives Matter

Current Shows

  • “Dreaming in Cuban”: Haunting Reflection on La Revolución—at Central Works
  • “Hayavadan” Celebrates Love with Witty, Magical Spectacle—at Naatak
  • “Dream of the Red Chamber” Wins a Place in Operatic Canon—at SF Opera
  • “Dana H.” Tells Her Own Chilling & Amazing Story—at Berkeley Rep
  • “Hadestown” Rips Apart Industrial Capitalism with Love—at BroadwaySF
  • “Don Giovanni” Carries the Night in New Production—at SF Opera
  • “The Sound Inside” Alarms, Upsets Our Balance—at Marin
  • “The Mojo and the Sayso” Reveals Tragedy of a Lost Child—at Oakland
  • “Wink”: Hilarious Comedy Challenges Modern Civilization—at MSW
  • “Romeo y Juliet” Crosses Mexican Cowboy Culture with Queer Love—at Cal Shakes
  • “Melancholy Play” Opens a Window to a Wistful Time—at Lunatico
  • “The Quality of Life” Dramatically Mingles Romance & Grief—at Altarena
  • “The Keeper” Uses Nursery Rhymes to Strengthen our Resolve—at We Players
  • “Balikbayan Box” Delivers the Steps to Love—at TheatreFirst
  • “Cats” Whisk(er)s Us Away to a Magic Land—at BroadwaySF

About us:

If you want to see the best plays & performances around the San Francisco Bay or beyond, read our reviews. We promise to give you a true report on the best shows.
Bay Area Critics Circle

Barry David Horwitz, Editor of Theatrius, is a Voting Member of the San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics' Circle, SFBATCC. Follow us on: facebook.com

Subscribe for upcoming reviews!
Loading
© 2022   All Rights Reserved.