And I’m Telling You

Dreamgirls – Paramount Theatre

And I’m Telling You

It’s here, at long last. The pandemic finally seems to be under control and it’s the eagerly anticipated opening of another Paramount Theatre season, it’s 11th, believe it or not. So fasten your seat belts for the first production of what is, without question, one of the most enticing and energetic seasons of musical theatre to hit the Windy City in years.

This exciting, tuneful 1982 multi-Tony Award-winning musical, with a book and lyrics by Tom Eyen and music by Henry Krieger, follows the road to superstardom of the Dreams, a group of inexperienced young, female R&B singers from Chicago. Most audiences and critics believe that the play is a thinly-veiled musical biography of Diana Ross and the Supremes; but the show’s creatives claim that it’s actually a purely fictional story about an African American girl group and their rise to fame.  

Each actress brings her own star power to The Dreams, both collectively and individually. Naima Alakham’s Effie is a lovely, temperamental, vocal powerhouse whose lover/manager, Curtis Taylor, Jr ultimately betrays her. (he’s brilliantly played in a  nicely-layered performance by Lorenzo Rush, Jr, a Chicago actor who’s been honing his craft beautifully for several years) Bringing down the house with her gut-wrenching act I finale, “And I’m Telling You,” Ms Alakham leaves her heart and soul on the stage. A lovely actress with a beautiful voice, Taylor Marie Daniel seems to grow up before our eyes as Deena, the shy, insecure backup vocalist who becomes the beautiful, independent lead vocalist of the Dreams. And Mariah Lyttle’s backup singer Lorrell Robinson plays second fiddle to no one, especially when striking a blow for her own independence in “Ain’t No Party.” The episodic story focuses on the importance of family and the often painful price of fame.

Christopher D. Betts, a Chicago native director with an impressive resume of credits, has staged this production with obvious affection. The story and especially the music captivates, but it often feels like Betts has missed several dramatic opportunities that would’ve added immensely to the overall effect of the play. The production’s most electric scenes sizzle, primarily due to Christie Chiles Twillie’s fantastic musical direction and fifteen-piece pit orchestra and Amy Hall Garner’s athletic, sometimes disco-infused choreography.

Add to this Samantha C. Jones’ stunning, colorful fashion show of glitzy costumes, many of which change onstage right before your eyes. Rueben D. Echoles’ period-perfect wig, hair and makeup design help make this cast look even more unbelievable. Jose Santiago’s lighting nicely illuminates the action, but it sometimes lacks dimension and color. It often appears stark and even flat. The falling stars that spangle the proscenium, however, are one of his nicer lighting effects. And Jeffery D. Kmiec offers a multilevel scenic design that provides doorways and balconies for actors to appear along the back and sides of the set. However, that often leaves the large Paramount stage looking curiously empty much of the time. If the cast were larger and could fill more of the space, it wouldn’t appear so deserted. The musical runs full tilt for over two-and-a-half hours, and has the feel of a pop/rock concert with a story. The music pauses only momentarily for a couple of book scenes, but then the catchy Krieger and Eyen score soars again to both create drama and entertain.

All the actors in this production are excellent, especially the leading ladies who portray the Dreams. This includes talented Ariel Williams, who plays Michelle Morris, the new member of the group near the end of Act I. Naima Alakham’s Effie is stunning, as well she should be. (Note that Effie is played by Breyannah Tillman at certain performances.) It’s Effie’s journey, after all, that primarily drives this musical. Broadway actor Ben Toomer, making his first appearance at Paramount Theatre, actually stops the show several times with his dynamic portrayal of James “Thunder” Early. Toomer has the power, the voice, the moves and the over-the-top personality of a James Brown R&B superstar, and, along with Ms Tillman, might be the reasons to see this production. 

But this remarkable musical, like every good show, is truly the sum of all its parts. It’s a production filled with strong performances, a memorable score and fine artistry. “And I’m Telling You,” at all costs, to try to catch a ride on this soul train. You’ll be so glad you did!

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented September 9-October 16 by Paramount Theatre, 23 East Galena Blvd., Aurora, IL.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling 630-896-6666 or by visiting www.paramountaurora.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.