On Point with Juandolyn Stokes welcomed Robert John Connor, Director/Executive Producer of the Tony Award-winning Broadway hit Dreamgirls. Connor was joined by cast member, Y’Anna Crawley, Stellar Award-winning Gospel and R&B singer.
Dreamgirls opens this Thursday, June 15 and runs through July 2 at the Ferst Center for the Arts on the campus of Georgia Tech. Tickets prices are: $39.00, $49.00, and $65.00 and are available at: www.deamgirlsatl.org.
The original Broadway production of Dreamgirls opened at the Imperial Theatre on December 20, 1981. Dreamgirls explores the stardom, competition, and love lives surrounding three Black women-Effie, Lorrell, and Deena who are trying to make a name for themselves during the ‘60s and ‘70s.
According to Connor, Dominion Entertainment is committed to offering quality entertainment to our community. “Sometimes [Black] artist don’t get the opportunities because the pickings are slim,” he added.
“We are looking people who are talented, focused, disciplined, and artistic. We had to add 300 auditions for 22 spots,” said Connor. That is testament to just how much talent is in Atlanta and how few opportunities there are for everyone.
Connor is known for molding many talented film, TV, and Broadway stars like Crawley, who plays the lead character, Effie White.
“Robert is an amazing director,” said Crawley.
In 2006 Dreamgirls was adapted to an Oscar-winning motion picture starring Beyonce Knowles, Jennifer Hudson, Eddie Murphy, and Jamie Foxx.
Crawley says people should see this production because it tells a great story, the characters are relatable, theatre is a parallel to life, and you will be exposed to the culture.