Dream Girls
Victory Productions
Garden Theatre • Winter Garden, Florida
directed by De’lon Grant • musical direction by John DeHaas
starring Brianna Davis, Stephanie Dorcely, Jazzmin Carson
by Carl F. Gauze
Tonight I experienced a unique event: the audience stood for an ovation at intermission, an extravagance I’ve never seen before.
Dream Girls tells a story of working hard, climbing to the top, and then getting sideswiped by your own sister. The story may feel real, and it is closely based on the career of The Supremes, although here, the group goes by the handle “The Dreams.” Trademarks must be obeyed. Packed with music industry behind-the-scenes infighting and romance, there’s a lot of plot going on between all the lush musical numbers. With over two dozen tunes, the show gives good coverage of the soul sound scene, all rendered with verve and precision.
The Dream Girls consist of the trio Effie, Lorrell, and Deena (Brianna Davis, Stephanie Dorcely, and Jazzmin Carson). Fame comes quickly, but as they prepare to break out, their manager (James Berkley) swaps out the lead, causing ill will that lasts through nearly all of Act Two. The girls sing beautifully and are wrapped in gorgeous costumes, and the male vocal lead Curtis (Maurice Alpharico) sparkles in an amazing wig that deserves its own bow.
This is truly an amazing show. The backdrop features an LED wall that makes scene changes a button-touch digital miracle. A 15-piece orchestra led by the redoubtable John DeHaas hits all the notes, and the story of a tight-knit family torn apart by an artistic decision shows the brutal financial and musical decisions their manager must resolve. His decision may rip apart the two sisters forever. Over two dozen tunes help tell the story, making this more than just a jukebox musical. The tension in this family floods the stage, and manager Curtis is clearly the antihero. He’s harsh, but if you want to make it to the top, that’s the price you pay.
Like previous performances under the Garden’s new management team, this is a high-value show that exceeds past Garden Theater productions with one of the best troupes in the area. Get tickets now: while an extension of the run is possible, why take the chance?
