The trio, featuring the large and powerful lead singer Effie White backed up by slender Deena and sassy Lorrell, is accompanied by Effie’s brother C.C., who writes all their material. Smooth-talking businessman Curtis Taylor manipulates the contest, and The Dreamettes do not win the trophy. Instead, Curtis becomes the group’s manager, and he negotiates a job for the girls as backup singers for gospel star Jimmy Early.
Dreamgirls follows the story of a black, all-girl singing trio from Chicago called “The Dreams” and the behind-the-scenes reality of the entertainment industry.
The original DREAMGIRLS opened on December 20, 1981 at the Imperial Theatre, and was nominated for thirteen Tony Awards, including the Tony Award for Best Musical. It won six.
