Wed. January 27, 2010
By John Olson
Among the men, the breakout is Chester Gregory, a graduate of Chicago's Columbia College who was a replacement Seaweed in Broadway's Hairspray, as James "Thunder" Early. He makes the most of this great role—arrogant when Jimmy is at the top of his game, charming when he needs to be and totally out of control in his second act breakdown during a Democratic Party fundraiser. Chaz Lamar Shepherd is serviceable as Curtis, manager to all three Dreamgirls, lover to two and husband to one. He fails, though, to completely show the charisma Curtis would need in order to persuade so many to do his bidding in romance or business. Trevon Davis is a likable C.C. White, while Milton Craig Nealy, true Broadway royalty as a member of the original and revival casts of Dreamgirls and Once on This Island, is a solid Marty.
As amazing a ride as the production values provide, this touring incarnation does show how strong is the writing of Eyen and composer Henry Krieger. It makes one wonder what it might be like to see a more intimate production where we could get closer to the characters and hear their words without amplification. Some of Chicago's off-Loop directors were in the audience on opening night, and let's hope they're asking the same questions. Dreamgirls, with its four-year Broadway run, slew of Tonys and a popular film version, is perhaps Broadway's least-performed bona fide classic. We waited a long time for this top-shelf stage revival. With any luck Dreamgirls will soon get to be a standard.
Dreamgirls will be performed at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph, through January 31, 2010. For tickets, visit any Broadway in Chicago box office, any Ticketmaster retail location, or order online at www.BroadwayinChicago.com.
Photo: Chester Gregory, Syesha Mercado, Moya Angela and Adrienne Warren
Photo by: Joan Marcus
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