(Shalyce Hemby)
Eric Conway:
The Baltimore Sun
Tim Smith
August 4, 2016
Rapturously
greeted when it opened on Broadway 35 years ago, the musical
"Dreamgirls" remains a potent magnet for performers and audiences.
Some
of us — OK, that would be me — have never entirely fallen under its
spell, finding the characters insufficiently fleshed out, the plot
cluttered and the song quality uneven. Still, there's no missing the
kinetic charge in this tale of R&B and Motown-type artists
struggling to make it big.
And
there sure is no mistaking the cumulative force of the "Dreamgirls"
revival from ArtsCentric now onstage in the intimate theater at Motor
House, the cool, new office/studio/performance building in Station North.
ArtsCentric,
the self-described "color-conscious" company founded more than a decade
ago by Morgan State University students and alumni, has explored an
impressive range of works, providing valuable experience for minority
actors, directors, backstage staffers and others.
Over
the years, the ensemble has utilized several venues around the area for
its productions, with varying results. The Motor House theater promises
to be an ideal home base for the troupe, and "Dreamgirls" makes an
ideal calling card for ArtsCentric's arrival in the neighborhood.
The
musical's story line — all too thinly based on the history of The
Supremes — concerns The Dreamettes, a trio determined to break into the
music biz, facing assorted fissures and pressures along the way. Much of
the drama revolves around full-figured lead singer Effie White and the
behavior — too diva-ish, too inflexible about career paths — that leads to her fall from grace.
In
the ArtsCentric staging, two singers alternate as Effie, a role
originated on Broadway by Jennifer Holliday. Latisha Hamilton, featured
in the performance I caught, has the vocal chops and the emotional punch
for the most famous song in the score, the Act 1 showstopper "And I Am
Telling You I'm Not Going." I'd argue that the better Effie solo, in
words and music, is Act 2's "I Am Changing," which Hamilton nails
vibrantly.
As
Deena Jones, the Diana Ross-inspired member of The Dreamettes, Sequina
DuBose catches the character's journey from timidity to confidence. She
has particular fun with the "One More Picture Please" scene after the
act evolves into Deena Jones and the Dreams (the poses are vintage
Supremes). And DuBose uses her warm, solid voice to expressive effect
throughout.
Alana
Linsey makes a lively, funny Lorrell, the third member of the group
that, guided by self-made manager Curtis Taylor Jr. (a suave Shaun
Mykals), gradually makes it into the spotlight.
Bryan Jeffrey rips up the joint inhabiting the James Brown-infused character Jimmy Early. The fearless actor's
physical dexterity and natural flair for humor is matched by an
infectious vocal exuberance (his terrific bursts of falsetto threaten to
reach dog whistle heights).
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