The long-awaited UK premiere of Dreamgirls opened back in December 2016 at the Savoy Theatre in London, 35 years after originally opening on Broadway. Dreamgirls charts the tumultuous journey of a young female singing trio from Chicago, Illinois called ‘The Dreams’, as they learn the hard lesson that show business is as tough as it is fabulous.
We booked our Camera Operator George Petais with digital media agency DMS UK to document the studio rehearsals – and he was blown away.
“To film and watch the cast in rehearsal was great, they clearly all adore music – their passion and energy really comes through. During rehearsals when key songs were performed, everyone went mad – the director was even crying with tears of joy. The exuberance in the room was overwhelming, it felt like we were at our own private gig!"
"My first day on the job was back in October 2016 when I filmed the cast meet and greet at the start of the production. Seeing the development throughout feels like I have been following the story right from the beginning to the end; and knowing it’s up for 5 WhatOnStage awards is incredibly exciting. I’m a music lover myself and it’s always great to be a room where everyone is enjoying the music – it’s a contagious happiness that you can’t help but be drawn into. From the technical side, the shorts were shot on C300 and my own FS7 kit and I am really happy with the result.”
Starring as ‘Effie White’ is American actress and singer Amber Riley, renowned for her role in hit US series Glee. Joining her in the eponymous soulful trio ‘The Dreams’ is Liisi LaFontaine as Deena Jones and Ibinabo Jack as Lorrell Robinson. Dreamgirls is Directed and Choreographed by Olivier and Tony Award®-winning Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon, Disney’s Aladdin and Something Rotten!), with Set Design by Tim Hatley, Costume Design by Gregg Barnes, Lighting Design by Hugh Vanstone, Sound Design by Richard Brooker and Hair Design by Josh Marquette. The Musical Supervisor is Nick Finlow, the Orchestrator is Harold Wheeler, with Additional Material by Willie Reale.
Cast
Effie White – Amber Riley
Deena Jones – Liisi LaFontaine
Lorell Robinson – Ibinabo Jack
Curtis Taylor Jr – Joe Aaron Reid
Jimmy Early – Adam J. Bernard
C.C. White – Tyrone Huntley
Marty – Nicholas Bailey
Michelle Morris – Lily Frazer
Effie White (when Amber Riley is not scheduled to perform) – Ruth Brown and Karen Mav (alternating)
You can see more of our Camera Crew freelance work in our showreel gallery.
