Show: Dreamgirls
Location: Empire Theatre, Liverpool
Dates: Tuesday December 14 2021-Saturday January 1 2022
Times: 14.30 & 19.30
Running Time: 160 Minutes
Performers: Nicole Raquel Dennis (Further cast members TBC)
Production Company: Sonia Friedman Productions
Writer: Tom Eyen
Director: Casey Nicholaw
We welcome the announcement of Dreamgirls beginning its inaugural tour at Liverpool‘s Empire Theatre. The show comes to Liverpool from Tuesday December 14 2021 to Saturday January 1 2022. And tickets are now available for this exciting show. Now, this will be the final theatre show of 2021 at the Empire Theatre. So, let’s take a look at Dreamgirls!
Dreamgirls
Background
Dreamgirls features such classic songs as And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going; Listen; and One Night Only. This sensational, multi-award winning production would first make its West End bow at London’s Savoy Theatre in December 2016.
So, the characters! Meet the Dreams: Effie, Lorrell and Deena. They’re three talented young singers in the turbulent 1960s, a revolutionary time in American music history. Come join the three friends as they embark upon a musical rollercoaster ride through a world of fame, fortune and the ruthless realities of show business, testing their friendships to the very limit.
Creatives
The director and choreographer of this show is the Olivier and Tony Award-winning Casey Nicholaw. And Casey’s previous credits includes The Book Of Mormon; Mean Girls; Disney’s Aladdin and Something Rotten! There is set and costume design by Tim Hatley, lighting design by Hugh Vanstone and sound design by Richard Brooker. Additionally, there’s hair design by Josh Marquette and music supervision by Nick Finlow.
Now, for writing, the book and lyrics come from Tom Eyen, with music by Henry Krieger and extra material from Willie Reale. Dreamgirls’ 1981 opening on Broadway would lead to six Tony Awards. Oh, and a Grammy award-winning album as well! This UK and Ireland tour comes courtesy of Sonia Friedman Productions.
Cast
Nicole Raquel Dennis plays the role of Effie White. Previous credits include Dear Evan Hansen; Waitress and The Book Of Mormon. She also has a previous Dreamgirls appearance during its run at Savoy Theatre. Nicole is also famous for being a finalist on ITV’s The Voice in 2019. And her blind audition actually saw her perform the show’s own tune And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going with mentor Jennifer Hudson. Interestingly, Hudson herself has an Oscar trophy for playing Effie White in the 2006 movie version.
Venue
Liverpool’s Empire Theatre is a true mainstay of the city, ever since the venue’s initial opening in 1866. But a demolition of the original Empire would lead to the modern Empire opening in 1924. From there, the Empire would become a focal point for the UK’s top touring theatre shows. Indeed, so many iconic productions regularly come to Liverpool’s Empire Theatre. Furthermore, the list of performers to grace the Empire stage over the years reads like a who’s who. In addition, the Empire’s location is pivotal, with its positioning directly in front of Lime Street Station. The Empire has a total capacity of 2,381, with frequent sell-outs throughout the annual theatre calendar. Simply put, the Empire Theatre is amongst the UK’s top entertainment venues and an ideal backdrop for a classic night of theatre.
Tour
The musical opens at Liverpool’s Empire Theatre on December 14 2021 and runs until January 1 2022. Then, it moves onto Bristol Hippodrome; Milton Keynes Theatre; Sunderland Empire; and Sheffield Lyceum Theatre. After that, it goes to Edinburgh Playhouse; Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff; New Wimbledon Theatre; and Nottingham Theatre Royal. Furthermore, subsequent locations include Norwich, Leeds, Canterbury, Plymouth, Llandudno, Aberdeen, Manchester, Oxford, Glasgow, Blackpool, Southampton and Northampton. Finally, the show concludes 2022 at The Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham, with 2023 dates and locations awaiting confirmation.
Dreamgirls Further Links
Dreamgirls runs at the Empire Theatre from Tuesday December 14 2021 to Saturday January 1 2022. So, to purchase tickets, please click here.
For more information about this show, click here.
Are you going to see Dreamgirls? Let us know by leaving a comment below!