Last December, Seven Thirty Theatre and Katydid Productions presented a production of Dreamgirls—the great American musical about the Motown experience—at the Studebaker Theater. The show was well received and so the production made a return visit this last weekend.
Unfortunately, despite the considerable onstage talent, Saturday's production was plagued by technical snafus (chiefly sometimes calamitous sound design) that marred—and, once, almost stopped the show (and not in a good way).
Dreamgirls' story is a familiar American one: young Black talent is at first propelled toward fame and then ground-up by it. The show is full of powerhouse numbers: the eponymous "Dreamgirls," the anthemic "I Am Changing" and "One Night Only," and—a personal favorite—"When I First Saw You." All gems in the American Musical Songbook. Music is by Henry Krieger with lyrics and book by Tom Eyen. Kila J. Adams directs.
But, of course, there is no Dreamgirls without the showstopping first-act closer "I Am Telling You I'm Not Going," a song that first made a star of Jennifer Holliday and then, in the 2006 movie adaptation, added to Jennifer Hudson's fame.
Anjelah Evans' performance (as Effie) was no exception—a superb delivery of an American classic that had the audience on its feet and roaring its approval mid-song.
But Evans wasn't the only show-stopper in the production. Marcus Elliot, who played James "Thunder" Early, delivered a performance that was one part Little Richard, one part James Brown, and another pure electricity. His connection with the audience was thrilling.
There was much to like in last weekend's production; I'm sure that's why the show returned for a second go-round. But the sound mix needed serious attention; dialog was often inaudible, the (recorded) instrumental music threatened to overwhelm most vocals, and, most glaringly, body mics would often cut-out completely, sometimes in mid-song.
The performers soldiered through—like good actors do. But it was sad. Perhaps additional technical rehearsals would have helped—or maybe I was just there on a particularly unlucky night. I hope for better things for the company when they mount their next production.
Dreamgirls was presented March 29-30 at the Studebaker Theater in the Fine Arts Building. Information on other Studebaker Theatre events is available here.