Professional Documents
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This publication is based on the work of Dreamgirls with book and lyrics by Tom Eyen, music by
Henry Kreiger, and direction and choreography by Michael Bennett. The content of the Dreamgirls edition of
StageNOTES: A Field Guide for Teachers is fully protected under the copyright laws of the United States of
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First Printing, May, 2010
Look for the Original Broadway Cast Recording on Decca U.S.
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DreamGirls
Synopsis
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Curtis decides to fight back by using payola paying DJs to play Jimmy and the Dreamettes next song, Steppin
to the Bad Side. The song becomes a hit, motivating Curtis to aim higher and higher. He arranges for Jimmy to
play at the Atlantic Hotel in Miami, making Jimmy the first African American singer to perform there. Next, Curtis
announces that he is bringing the giving the Dreamettes their own act (and changing their name to The Dreams.)
However, success comes with a price. Curtis explains that Deena will sing lead because, while she has a smaller voice
than Effie, she is more traditionally attractive and will be more likely to appeal to audiences. Although he attempts to
explain that its nothing personal, the decision leaves Effie feeling hurt and offended; she only reluctantly agrees to
the arrangement after C.C. makes grand promises, claiming that her submission will pave the way to greater successes
for the group. Curtis insistence on success at any cost also stirs up anger and resentment from the more ethical Marty,
finally causing him to leave Jimmy.
Tensions continue to grow within the group. Lorrell
idealistically leapt into a relationship with Jimmy, believing
that love was all that truly mattered. But she begins to realize
there are consequences to carrying on an affair with a married
man. And as Curtis (who is in a relationship with Effie)
begins to pay more and more attention to Deena, pushing
her into the spotlight, Effie reacts by hurling insults at Deena.
Finally, just before a show in Las Vegas, Effie abruptly finds
out that she has been replaced by a new singer: Michelle
Morris. The Dreams, C.C. and Curtis all inform Effie that
she is no longer welcome in the group.
...Dreamgirls details
the conflicts that these
performers face both
from the world outside
and from within their
own group.
As Dreamgirls continues, Effie and the others each struggle to overcome blindness and denial and to do what is right for
themselves and for others. Effie learns to change her attitude; success requires not only talent but hard work. Likewise,
Lorrell and Deena learn to take control of their own lives. Lorrell learns not to keep waiting for Jimmy to leave his wife.
Deena battles Curtiss attempts to turn her into a product, and stands up for her own dreams of acting in important
films. C.C., too, must overcome long years of denial, and apologize to Effie for turning against her.
After Jimmy pushes the bounds of propriety too far during a concert performance, Curtis fires him. C.C., too, breaks
away, leaving Curtis and reuniting with Effie. She sings C.C.s song, One Night Only, and the song seems as if it will
be Effies big break. However, Curtis immediately attempts to have the Dreams cover the song, stealing the spotlight from
Effie. Marty, Effie and C.C. react to this by coming to Curtis and threatening that they will take legal action against him.
Deena and Effie begin speaking to one another again. Effie joins the other Dreams onstage for their last performance at
their farewell concert.
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The Dreams
and the
Supremes
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Supreme Confidence:
Maxine Powell
When I was young I came to realize how
people were all born and conceived in the
same manner; that since all children helpless
and innocent at birth, their differences are
determined by their upbringing, not color.
Born in Texas in 1924 and raised in Chicago,
Maxine Powell trained as an actress and model.
She moved to Detroit in 1948, opening her own
modeling and finishing school by 1951. She was
a successful entrepreneur, convincing Detroits
car manufacturers to hire African-American
models for their car shows and advertising.
She became friendly with Berry Gordy, but was
concerned that his singers were coming off
as rude and crude. She began giving advice
to performers on how to improve their image;
eventually she joined Motown as the official
style consultant.
Powell made the Supremes first stage
costumes out of items she bought on sale at
department stores. She spent hours each day
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Florence
Ballard:
Supreme Voice,
Supreme Loss
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thiagofest
cejhb
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A workshop is a collaborative,
exploratory process between
directors, actors, designers,
choreographers, and writers.
After the first workshop, Michael Bennett took over as
director and over the next year, workshopped the show
five times with varying success. The last workshop brought
back Jennifer Holiday, who returned on the condition that
the writers would develop her character substantially in the
second act. By this time, the show was renamed Dreamgirls,
and over 3 million dollars had been spent on the processa
large portion of the investment shouldered by David Geffen
and Geffen Records as well as the Shubert Organization, a
producing and theatre-owning company.
The plot and all of the major characters went through
extensive changes and rewrites during the workshop
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I Am Changing
Yes! I Know How
I AM CHANGING
GOT MY LIFE TOGETHER NOW
I AM CHANGING
YES! I KNOW HOW
IM GONNA START AGAIN
IM GONNA LEAVE MY PAST BEHIND
ILL CHANGE MY LIFE
ILL MAKE A VOW
AND NOTHINGS GONNA STOP ME NOW
MARTY
Its time you stopped making excuses so you dont
have to prove anything. Youre going to have to
start proving it just like the rest of us. I dont know,
maybe Curtis was right about you. You want all
of the privileges with none of the responsibilities.
Yeah, maybe Curtis was right about you after all.
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The most conflicted and complex character in
Dreamgirls is Effie White. Through the musical Effie
comes to understand the importance of telling the
truthto others and also to herself. At the penultimate
moment in the first act, Effie finds out shes been
removed from the Dreams due to her bad behavior
and that her relationship with Curtis is through. Her
response is to deny the truth and refuse to acknowledge
any wrongdoing on her part. She sings,
EFFIE
Marty, Curtis was wrong
I AM CHANGING
ILL BE BETTER THAN I AM
IM TRYING
TO FIND A WAY TO UNDERSTAND
BUT I NEED YOU
I NEED YOU
I NEED A HAND
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The Apollo
Theater
Lesson Ideas
Dreamgirls Discussion
CURTIS
This business is work. One step at
a time. First you have to start off
humble. Like singing backup for
someone already established.
EFFIE
No! Im not singing behind anybody!
CURTIS
Look, kid, I know youre good and so
do you. Youre talented and youre
beautiful. It takes more than that.
Show business is rough business. Yeah,
its a business. And what do you know
about it?
Curtis persuades Effie, Deena, and Lorrell to sing
backup for Jimmy Early by reminding them that being
in show business takes hard work and commitment.
They cant just expect to become famous overnight
they have to start small and work their way up. Have
you ever been in the situation where you had to work
hard for something that you thought would be easy?
What did you do?
Dreamgirls Writing
Dreamgirls Experiential
Objective: Students will express their goals and
After a multiphase renovation which began in 2005, the Apollo has returned to prominence in the New York
theatrical landscape attracting an estimated 1.3 million visitors a year and launching a New Legends Series
featuring todays hottest musical talents.
dreams.
In 2009, in celebration of its 75th year, the Apollo Theatre Foundation Inc. took over operation of the theatre.
The star-studded season included the launch of the 2009 national tour of Dreamgirls, the hit Broadway musical
that chronicles the rise of The Dreamettes, a singing trio who get their start at Amateur Night at the Apollo in the
1960s. What was coined in the early days has remained true throughout its enduring legacy: The Apollo Theater
is the place Where Stars are Born and Legends are Made.
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The
Guide to
Theatergoing Etiquette
Dreamgirls:
Remember, going to the theater isnt like going to a movie. There are some
different rules to keep in mind when youre at a live performance.
George, Nelson. Where Did Our Love Go?: The Rise and Fall of the Motown Sound.
Believe it or not, the actors can actually hear you. The same acoustics
that make it possible for you to hear the actors means that they can hear
all the noises an audience makes: talking, unwrapping candy, cell phones
ringing. Thats why, when youre at a show, there is no food or drink at your
seats (eat your treats at intermission; save the popcorn-munching for the
multiplex)
No talking (even if youre just explaining the plot to the person next to you)
Always keep cell phones and beepers turned off (This even means no
texting your friends during the show to tell them how great it is...)
Of course, what the actors like to hear is how much youre enjoying the
performance. So go ahead and laugh at the funny parts, clap for the songs,
and save your biggest cheers and applause for your favorite actors at the
curtain call. Thats their proof of a job well done.
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