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Dreamgirls Broadway Original Cast


Articles Cast Creative History
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Trivia

Based upon the show business aspirations and successes of R&B acts such as The Supremes, The Shirelles, James Brown, Jackie Wilson, and others, the musical follows the story of a young female singing trio from Chicago, Illinois called "The Dreams", who become music superstars. It was nominated for thirteen Tony more...

Original
Replacement
Cheryl Alexander Headshot
Cheryl Alexander
Charlene
Les Style
Ensemble
Lorrell Robinson
One of "Les Style"
Phylicia Ayers-Allen Headshot
Phylicia Ayers-Allen
Ensemble
Deena Jones (u/s)
Obba Babatundé Headshot
Obba Babatundé
C.C. White

Obba Babatundé, renowned for his Tony-nominated role as "C.C. White" in the original Broadway production of Dreamgirls, has built an impressive career across film, television, and stage, including standout performances in "The Manchurian Candidate," "The Notebook," and the UPN sitcom "Half & Half." more...
Vanessa Bell Headshot
Vanessa Bell
The Stepp Sisters
Ensemble
One of "The Stepp Sisters"
Charles Bernard Headshot
Charles Bernard
Ensemble
One of "Little Albert and the Tru-Tones"
One of "The Five Tuxedoes"
One of "The James Early Band"
Tiny Joe Dixon (u/s)
Performer
Paul Binotto Headshot
Paul Binotto
Dave & The Sweethearts
Film Executive
Ensemble
Dave
Brenda Braxton Headshot
Brenda Braxton
Charlene
One of "Les Style"
Performer
(Swing)
Deborah Burrell Headshot
Deborah Burrell
Michelle Morris
The Stepp Sisters
Deena Jones
One of "The Stepp Sisters"
Vondie Curtis-Hall Headshot
Vondie Curtis-Hall
Marty
Curtis Taylor, Jr.
Candy Darling Headshot
Candy Darling
Dave & The Sweethearts
Ensemble
One of "The Sweethearts"
Cleavant Derricks Headshot
Cleavant Derricks
James Thunder Early
Loretta Devine Headshot
Loretta Devine
Lorrell Robinson

Loretta Devine, who originated the role of Lorrell Robinson in the 1981 Broadway production of Dreamgirls, has since become renowned for her versatile performances across stage and screen. more...
Ronald Dunham Headshot
Ronald Dunham
Ensemble
Stephanie Eley Headshot
Stephanie Eley
Dave & The Sweethearts
Ensemble
One of "The Sweethearts"
Sheila Ellis Headshot
Sheila Ellis
Edna Burke
Ensemble
Effie Melody White
Tony Franklin Headshot
Tony Franklin
Wayne
C.C. White
Curtis Taylor, Jr. (u/s)
James Thunder Early (u/s)
Ben Harney Headshot
Ben Harney
Curtis Taylor, Jr.
Jennifer Holliday Headshot
Jennifer Holliday
Effie Melody White
Tenita Jordan Headshot
Tenita Jordan
The Stepp Sisters
Les Style
Ensemble
One of "Les Style"
One of "The Stepp Sisters"
Linda Lloyd Headshot
Linda Lloyd
Joanne
Les Style
Ensemble
Michelle Morris (u/s)
One of "Les Style"
Joe Lynn Headshot
Joe Lynn
Jerry
Ensemble
Tiny Joe Dixon
Joe Lynn (i) Headshot
Joe Lynn (i)
Tiny Joe Dixon/Jerry
Ensemble
Frank Mastrocola Headshot
Frank Mastrocola
Ensemble

Frank Mastrocola, known for his performances as the Rum Tum Tugger in the original Broadway production of Cats and in Starlight Express, brings his extensive experience to his current role as a performing arts teacher in New Jersey. more...
Milton Craig Nealy Headshot
Milton Craig Nealy
Jerry (u/s)
Marty (u/s)
Mr. Morgan (u/s)
Performer
The M.C. (u/s)
(Swing)
Jamie Patterson Headshot
Jamie Patterson
Ensemble
One of "Little Albert and the Tru-Tones"
One of "The Five Tuxedoes"
One of "The James Early Band"
Wellington Perkins Headshot
Wellington Perkins
Little Albert & The Tru-Tones
The James Early Band
Ensemble
C.C. White
Wayne
Mr. Morgan (u/s)
One of "Little Albert and the Tru-Tones"
One of "The James Early Band"
The M.C. (u/s)
Scott Plank Headshot
Scott Plank
The James Early Band
Film Executive
Ensemble
Frank (u/s)
One of "The James Early Band"
Brenda Pressley Headshot
Brenda Pressley
The Stepp Sisters
Les Style
Ensemble
Michelle Morris
Deena Jones (u/s)
Effie Melody White (u/s)
One of "Les Style"
One of "The Stepp Sisters"

Brenda Pressley, a versatile performer with an extensive background in theater, television, and film, was part of the original Broadway cast of Dreamgirls, directed by the legendary Michael Bennett. more...
Sheryl Lee Ralph Headshot
Sheryl Lee Ralph
Deena Jones

Sheryl Lee Ralph, a Tony nominee, originally captivated audiences as Deena Jones in Dreamgirls. more...
Charles Randolph-Wright Headshot
Charles Randolph-Wright
Little Albert & The Tru-Tones
The James Early Band
The Five Tuxedos
Ensemble
One of "Little Albert and the Tru-Tones"
One of "The Five Tuxedoes"
One of "The James Early Band"
Larry Stewart Headshot
Larry Stewart
Ensemble
James Thunder Early (u/s)
Mr. Morgan
One of "The Five Tuxedoes"
The M.C.
Larry Stewart (ii) Headshot
Larry Stewart (ii)
M.C./Mr. Morgan
The Five Tuxedos
Ensemble
David Thomé Headshot
David Thomé
Frank
Ensemble
Weyman Thompson Headshot
Weyman Thompson
Little Albert & The Tru-Tones
The James Early Band
The Five Tuxedos
Film Executive
Ensemble
Curtis Taylor, Jr.
One of "Little Albert and the Tru-Tones"
One of "The Five Tuxedoes"
One of "The James Early Band"
Wayne (u/s)

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Awards and Nominations


1982 Drama Desk Awards
Outstanding Actress in a Musical: Jennifer Holliday won.
Outstanding Actress in a Musical: Sheryl Lee Ralph was nominated but did not win.
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical: Cleavant Derricks won.

1982 Tony Awards
Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical: Obba Babatunde was nominated but did not win.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical: Ben Harney won.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical: Jennifer Holliday won.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical: Sheryl Lee Ralph was nominated but did not win.

Production Team

Theoni V. Aldredge Costume Designer
Ted Azar Hair Designer
Michael Bennett Director
Choreographer
Otts Munderloh Sound Designer
Tharon Musser Lighting Designer
Michael Peters Choreographer
(Co-Choreographer)
Yolanda Segovia Musical Director
Robin Wagner Scenic Designer
Harold Wheeler Orchestrator

Videos