By James V. Ruocco
Effie White, as portrayed by Alana Cauthen in Fairfield Center Stage's ambitious mounting of "Dreamgirls," has the right vocal chops and persona to blow the roof off Black Rock Church, cause a power outage and knock the entire audience out of their seats and into a feverish sweat with an electrifying performance that's just as exciting and dazzling as the one originated by Jennifer Holiday in the 1981 Broadway production that was directed and choreographed by Michael Bennett.
From the moment she appears on stage with the chutzpah and determination that Miss Effie White is a star and not just some backup singer, the actress radiates that undeniable certainty and truth in supercharged fashion similar to that of Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, Patti Labelle and Mahalia Jackson, to name a few.
She growls.
She cries.
She bewitches.
She moans.
She breaks your heart.
She gets your pulses racing.
She knocks you on your ass.
And then the big moment comes at precisely 9:17 p.m. when Effie White sings "And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going," that now-famous, showstopping ballad that thrusts her character center stage crying "You're gonna love me" in crumpled, defiant fashion to the man who has just broken her heart. It's a huge, defining moment in the story and one that Cathern delivers with depth, honesty, compassion and originality as Act One draws to a close.
The collective human struggle embedded in her voice is triumphant and well it should be throughout "Dreamgirls." It is also used most effectively in Effie's other numbers "I Am Changing" and "One Night Only," which the actress/singer delivers with more of the same raw, real and determined heartache.
"Dreamgirls," which is based, in part, on the real-life story of Diana Ross and the Supremes, is chock full of showbiz glitz, glamour and sparkle. It also recalls that bygone era of the 1960's from its stylized song-and-dance routines, its pulse, its drive, its innocence, its outrageous costuming (drag queens, sit up and take notice) and its "I wanna be a star" mindset.
The musical score for "Dreamgirls" was written by Tom Eyen (lyrics) and Henry Krieger (music). It contains a trunk full of hot, pulsating, character-driven songs including "Family," "Dreamgirls," "Cadillac Car," "Move (Your Steppin' On My Heart)," "And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going," "I Am Changing," "One Night Only," "When I First Saw You," "Fake Your Way to the Top" and "Hard to Say Goodbye."
Musical direction for "Dreamgirls" is provided by the ever-talented Eli Newsom at the keyboard with the able assist of Jim Marbury (trombone), Mark Dennis (trumpet), Ben McCormack (keyboard 2), John Taylor (guitar), Charles Casimiro (bass), Brendan Stavris (reeds) and Gabe Nappi (drums). It is hot. It is heavy. It is loud. It is rich. It is full. It is melodic. It is LIVE, a conceit which makes all the difference in the world. Whereas some area theaters use pre-recorded music instead of a live band, you'll find none of that musical poppycock at Fairfield Center Stage. Here, Newsom offers theatergoers live music that respects the concept and style set forth by its originators and its musical catalog of showstopping songs that plunge the story of "Dreamgirls" forward effortlessly.
There's a lot to work with here and Newsom and his band have got every beat, rhythm, twist, turn and heartbreak covered. All of the songs are fully imagined in true "Dreamgirls" style and, one of one, they play out with decided flourish, joyfulness, gusto and purpose. The entire orchestral team also allows the material to breathe and beguile. Better yet, they are attuned to the live performer and his or her role in the production. Never once, does the performer stand there waiting for a cue or wondering what the actual tempo is going to be for performance after performance. Instead, the band, led by Newsom, follows the singer step by step, song by song. beat by beat, which, when you think about it, makes all the difference in the world. No canned music here.
The enlistment of Emily Frangipane as choreographer for "Dreamgirls" is an absolute plus that benefits the musical enhancement of Tom Eyen's colorful scenario and the many characters who reveal their innermost thoughts, desires and passions through song and dance. Here, as in other musicals she has choreographed including "Spring Awakening," "Sweet Charity," "In the Heights" and "Priscilla Queen of the Desert," Frangipane sets the stage aglow with some very passionate and powerful footwork. She is full of surprises. She takes chances. She dazzles and delights. She gets the juices flowing. She knows how to make things pop. She's completely in sync with the time frame of the story. She knows how to move people about through her always carefully constructed dance moves and maneuvers. She's also not afraid to take chances or experiment with the already proven material. And that's what keeps her always at the top of her game.
As director, Brian Crook is completely knowledgeable of the "Dreamgirls" concept, its rags to riches drama, its cat fights, its divas, its glitter, its sparkle, its pulse, its truths, its lies, its attraction to both a gay and straight audience and its obvious resemblance to you-know-who. Throughout the musical, he sustains interest. He gets laughs and tears in all the right places. He involves his audience in the play's heartbreak and passion. He also has cast the musical surprisingly well from leads and supporting characters to the very talented men and woman who play a variety of ensemble roles throughout the two-act musical.
In addition to Alana Cauthen, "Dreamgirls" stars Rachelle Legrand as Deena Jones, Jessica Page as Lorrell Robinson, Renee Sutherland as Michelle Morris, Garth West as CC White, Everton Ricketts as Jimmy Early and Khallid Graham as Curtis Taylor, Jr. As actors, singers and dancers, everyone is perfectly in sync with the musical's unifying charm, spunk, spirit, dazzle and pathos. No one copycats from the 2006 movie, the 1981 Broadway version or the recent West End production of 'Dreamgirls" that starred Amber Riley as Effie White. Here, everyone puts their own personal stamp or his or her character and embraces the style, compassion and dignity that keeps the two-act musical on its toes. It's hard work, but everyone is up to the challenge of making this production a winner from start to finish.
As singers, they illuminate the vocal veracity and sting of the popular "Dreamgirls" musical score with amazing passion and showmanship. Everything they sing smartly reflects the intentions and heartbeat of the show's creators. They have fun. We have fun. What's wonderful is the harmonizing, the range, the control and the dynamics of it all. Everyone knows how to sell a song, a lyric, a mood swing or a change. As actors, they take charge of their individual and ensemble moments as if Eyen wrote "Dreamgirls" with them in mind. That, in turn, allows the actual story to take shape without any form of hesitation or calculation.
"Dreamgirls" is being presented by Fairfield Center Stage at Black Rock Church (3685 Black Rock Turnpike, Fairfield, CT), now through March 9.
For tickets, please visit eventbrite on the Fairfield Center Stage home page.
website:fairfieldcenterstage.org.
loved the show.
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