‘Dreamgirls’ national touring production
The national touring production of “Dreamgirls,” now at the Ahmanson Theatre, opened in November 2009 at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem, a key setting in the 1981 musical by Tom Eyen and Henry Krieger. The tour’s best-known personality is “American Idol” Season 7 second runner-up Syesha Mercado, center, who plays the Diana Ross-like Deena opposite Margaret Hoffman, left, as Michelle and Adrienne Warren as Lorrell. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)
The scenic design, by Robin Wagner, is dominated by towering LED screens that light up with scene-accent footage. Robert Longbottom directed and co-choreographed the production. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)
Chester Gregory portrays the James Brown-like James “Thunder” Early, who gives a home-grown girl group its big break. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)
Chester Gregory’s James “Thunder” Early is joined by backup dancers in a scene from a music-world story that unfolds from 1962 to ’75. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)
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The LED panels help to transport the action to Paris for a scene early in Act 2. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)
“Steppin’ to the Bad Side,” the big Act 1 power number for the men, is performed by shadowy figures in fedoras, carrying glowing briefcases -- a reference, presumably, to payola changing hands. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)
A movement pattern in the “Steppin’ to the Bad Side” number. The show’s choreography is by Robert Longbottom and hip-hop specialist Shane Sparks. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)
A home-grown group known as the Dreamettes gets transformed into the Dreams, portrayed by, from left, Adrienne Warren as Lorrell, Syesha Mercado as Deena and Moya Angela as the booted-from-frontwoman, soon-to-be-booted-altogether Effie. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)
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Effie does not go quietly. First, Moya Angela’s character directs the showstopper “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” at Chaz Lamar Shepherd’s Curtis -- the manager who dumps her as both singer and girlfriend. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)
Post-Effie, the Dreams are, from left: Margaret Hoffman as Michelle, Syesha Mercado as Deena and Adrienne Warren as Lorrell. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)
They’re your Dreamgirls: Syesha Mercado, foreground, Adrienne Warren, left, and Moya Angela. “Dreamgirls” continues at the Ahmanson Theatre through April 4. For more information, visit www.centertheatregroup.org. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)
