SA producer is looking to discover SA’s dream girls and guys for a sensational new stage production of the smash hit musical Dreamgirls.
Recently on stage at Harlem’s world famous Apollo Theatre in New York City and now touring the USA, a brand new, sensational stage production of Dreamgirls comes to South Africa, opening at the Teatro at Montecasino in March 2011 and Artscape, Cape Town in June 2011.
Featuring an entirely South African cast to play its all African American characters, Dreamgirls is produced by leading South African producer, Hazel Feldman of Showtime Management in association with John Breglio for Vienna Waits Productions, New York. All the characters in this African multi award-winning production, true to its star-making script, is about discovering, developing and nurturing fresh, new talent.
“By hosting open “discovery” auditions, we are looking to find unknown singers with exceptionally strong vocals who are able to move well.” says Hazel Feldman. “We are very excited at the prospect of finding new “gems” from an untapped pool of raw talent and offering them the opportunity to literally live their dream in Dreamgirls.”
Dreamgirls cast comprises of 29 versatile performers who are strong singers and dancers. All characters are African Americans. Male and female ensemble dancers, in their late teens to mid thirties must be able to sing. The four female and four male principal roles require exceptionally strong “big belt” lead vocals.
Nationwide open call ‘discovery” auditions begin in Durban at The BAT Centre Dance Studio on 22 February 2010 (ladies from 09h30 to 13h00, men from 14h00 – 17h00) followed by Johannesburg auditions at The Teatro at Montecasino on Wednesday, 24 February 2010 for ladies from 09h30 and Thursday, 25 February 2010 for men from 09h30. Cape Town auditions take place on Sunday, 28 February 2010 (ladies from 09h30 to 13h00, gentlemen from 14h00 – 17h00) in Room 301, Artscape Theatre. Final auditions, hosted by a combined local and international creative team are scheduled for April 2010.
Every applicant is required present a one page current, professionally presented CV together with a recent high quality picture at the registration desk, one hour prior to audition starting times. CV’s and photographs will not be returned. Auditioning artists must prepare one brief standard R&B, standard pop or gospel song (that best shows off their voice and range) and ensure that they bring sheet music for the accompanist. It is important that applicants wear appropriate clothing and footwear i.e. flat jazz shoes or sneakers for men and flat jazz shoes and character shoes with heels for women. Auditioning artists must ensure they are available from end January 2011 to end August 2011. Audition enquiries: visit www.showtime.co.za or call Yolanda Kimber on 079 909 9982.
Full of onstage joy and backstage drama, Dreamgirls tells the story of an up-and-coming, 1960s singing girl group, and the triumphs and tribulations that come with fame and fortune. Hopeful talents Deena Jones, Lorrell Robinson and Effie White are performing as The Dreamettes when ambitious agent Curtis Taylor, Jr. discovers them. He lands them a job as backup singers for the soul and rock ‘n’ roll sensation James “Thunder” Early and begins to guide their quickly rising career. However, when the beautiful Deena emerges as the star of the group rather than the full-voiced Effie, the girls are brought to personal and professional crossroads.
Dreamgirls is directed and choreographed by Robert Longbottom with co-choreography by Shane Sparks, scenic design by Robin Wagner, costume design by William Ivey Long, lighting design by Ken Billington, sound design by Acme Sound Partners, and media design by Howard Werner for Lightswitch. Dreamgirls features music by Henry Krieger and lyrics and book by Tom Eyen with additional material by Willy Reale.
The original Broadway production of Dreamgirls opened December 20, 1981, at the Imperial Theatre and won six Tony Awards and three Drama Desk Awards in 1982. It closed on Broadway August 11, 1985, after 1,521 performances. The original Broadway production was directed by Michael Bennett and choreographed by Bennett and Michael Peters. Dreamgirls was adapted into a motion picture by DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures, and opened in December 2006. The film won two Academy Awards, five Golden Globes, and two Screen Actor’s Guild Awards in 2007 in addition to a Grammy Award for Best Song written for a Motion Picture (“Love You I Do”). The most popular song from the film, “Listen,” has been incorporated into the new stage version of Dreamgirls as a stirring Act II duet for Deena and Effie. This all-new production of Dreamgirls premiered at Harlem’s legendary Apollo Theater in New York City on 22 November 2009, before embarking on an international tour.
Tickets sales for the South African production will be announced in the press at a later date. “All you got to do is Dream” and you may be discovered to star in Dreamgirls.
