

The other artists in Dreamgirls included Isaac Lamar as Effie’s brother, Edwin Sherrif as Marty, and Howard Lee as Tiny Joe Dixon/Jerry Norman-all performing with style, especially in ensemble numbers such as “One Night Only.” Clockwise from top left: Howard Lee (Tiny Joe Dixon), Isaac Lamar (C.C. Some of the most emotionally moving numbers were the solo, soulful ballads by Effie including “And I’m Not Telling You I’m Going” as she prepares to break from the trio, and “I Am Changing” at the beginning of Act II. One of the standout numbers, “Steppin’ to the Bad Side,” put the musical ambitions of the singers out front along with the dynamic choreography of Ronnique Antoinette-and truly showed what the performers could accomplish. Local theatergoers should watch for Myiah Miller-this rising talent is currently a student at Seneca Valley High School in Germantown, Maryland. Rounding out the Dreamettes, Azaria Oglesby as Deena Jones and Myiah Miller as Lorelle Robinson added style and verve if not quite the expansive voice of Jasmine Prather. This is the name bestowed on the trio by their dominating manager played by Tyrone Lyles Sr., who smoothly conveyed the sleaze and ease of a music industry thriving on payola and imitation.

The heart and soul of Dreamgirls is the lead singer Effie White-and in the role of Effie White, Jasmine Prather is the heart, soul, and voice (what a voice!) of the Dreamettes. Jasmine Prather (Effie White), Azaria Oglesby (Deena Jones), and Myiah Miller (Lorelle Robinson) in ‘Dreamgirls.’ Photo by Mike Redmond.
#Clockwise md movie
Put aside any bias toward the award-winning 2006 Bill Condon-written-and-directed movie starring the blockbuster cast of Jennifer Hudson, Beyoncé Knowles, Eddie Murphy, Jaime Foxx, and Danny Glover, or any memories of the 1980s Broadway musical, and come to this BlackRock production eager to experience fresh voices, raw energy, and ambition. This production showcases new and established talent from the DC area as well as the artistic possibilities for BlackRock Center for the Arts as a producing venue.ĭreamgirls, inspired by the Motown and R&B legends of the 1960s and 1970s, follows three female singers as they strive to break into the music business that is determined to keep them either backup singers or beholden to misogynistic managers. Marking its 20th anniversary, the Germantown-based arts center is moving from a touring house with this musical, and Chauncey and Katie Hecklinger, CEO of BlackRock Center for the Arts, picked a hitmaker with Dreamgirls.
#Clockwise md professional
Dreamgirls, directed by Kelly Chauncey, is the dreamy kick-off to the BlackRock Center for the Arts’ new effort to fully produce their own professional productions.
