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18 SUMMER PROGRAM 2012
About Tonight
Tonight is about so many dreams.
Dreamg rls the musical and its Tony® Award-winning star Jennifer Holliday are
Broadway legends. Ms. Holliday’s performance set a standard for power and
truth that has yet to be surpassed.
Producing Dreamgirls at The Muny is a huge honor and a daunting challenge. The
original production was the most expensive musical in history. The integration
of sets, costumes and lighting into Dreamgirls’ storytelling was groundbreaking.
The show moves in a brilliant cinematic style. Its heart-pounding music and
†”ƒƒ ”‡“—‹”‡• –Š‡ Š‹‰Š‡•– ƒŽ‹„‡” ‘ˆ –ƒŽ‡–ǡ ƒ† ‹ –Š‡ ”‘Ž‡ ‘ˆ ˆϐ‹‡ǡ ƒ •–ƒ”Ǥ –
is arguably one of the few Broadway musicals that explores African American
characters with passion, honesty and clarity.
Through our dear friend Chris Manos, I invited Ms. Holliday to star in our
production. She shared with me stories about her life’s journey and how much
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this historic 30th Anniversary production would mean to The Muny, the people
of St Louis and to me. We would celebrate Dreamgirls and we would celebrate
‡‹ˆ‡” ‘ŽŽ‹†ƒ›ǯ• „‡Ž‘˜‡† ˆϐ‹‡Ǥ † –‘‰‡–Š‡”ǡ ™‡ ™‘—Ž† ƒ‡ Š‹•–‘”› ƒ– Š‡
Muny.
Everyone was ready. It was time.
We are lucky enough to have a cast that equals Ms. Holliday’s passion and
commitment to the show. Demetria McKinney, Jenelle Lynn Randall, Christopher
Jackson, Milton Craig Nealy, KarlaMosely, and our own Ken Page aremonumental
talents working on a monumental show. (The most common phrase heard
around the rehearsal hall is “bucket list.”) Director Robert Clater was the last
person hired by Dreamgirls’ original director Michael Bennett to be a part of
the show’s international company. Watching Robert share every intention and
idea that is embedded in the DNA of Dreamgirls has been inspiring. Additionally,
Robert’s wife Lesia has brilliantly re-created Mr. Bennett and Michael Peter’s
Tony® Award-winning choreography.
This is more than a passion project for all of us. It is a dream to welcome Jennifer
Holliday and her majestic performance. It is a dream to have this show at The
Muny. We’re lucky there is no roof to raise here at The Muny, because tonight
under these stars there is only musical theatre heaven.
Mike Isaacson
Executive Producer