April 30, 2002 – Good Hope School is bringing "Dreamgirls," the 1980s Broadway musical about a 1960s Motown-type girl trio, to the Savage Theater stage on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Heading the cast of Good Hope students are Christine McIntosh as Deena Jones, Sevonne Jeremiah as Effie White, and Alice Sackey as Lorrell Robinson — the original Dreamettes.
The storyline of the show, which had its Broadway premiere in December of 1981, begins on the stage of Harlem's famed Apollo Theater. At a time when the American dream was not easily within the reach of African-American artists, the Dreamettes, not only promising singers but best friends, are about to begin their rise to stardom.
According to a Good Hope release, "As the characters begin to realize their dreams, the price is high." The trio's agent, Curtis (Nik Orr) urges Jimmy Early (Reiki Anduze-Bell) to hire the Dreamettes as backup singers. Early proceeds to replace Effie as lead singer with Deena, and Effie eventually is replaced entirely by Michelle Morris (Laneze John).
For Deena and Lorrell, friendship with Effie counts for less than making the big time. Soon, in pursuit of success, they give up their soul sounds, too, crossing over from rhythm 'n' blues to "more marketable" Top-40, pop and disco.
In the production, replete with a live pit orchestra, Good Hope music and students get to "realize their dream," the release states.
Tina Thompson, Good Hope music director, says it's her hope that the school production of "Dreamgirls" will convey the message to those who come to see the show "that music is more than entertainment; it is the soul that reflects our lives, culture, heritage and yes, even our drama."
Performance times are 7 p.m. on Thursday and 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Tickets for non-students are $5 Thursday and $10 the other two nights. For students, they're $2.50 and $5, respectively. They're being sold at the door and it's open seating. For more information, call the school at 772-0022.
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