Dream Girls Review - Ain't no Dream

So I love Musicals. No, really… I really love ALL Musicals. My dream is to play Velma Kelly in a full production of Chicago one day and I'm actually writing my own Musical. Really.

I can't say I've ever NOT enjoyed a Musical. And Dream Girls was no exception. Except... 

I was a little disappointed this time. Mind you, I've never watched the movie nor the Musical so I really didn't have anything to compare it to. The only thing I did to prep for the show was read a full synopsis of all the Acts and the background information. 

Oh and I also YouTubed "And I am Telling You" sung by both Jennifer Holliday (the amazing original cast member who played Effie) and Jennifer Hudson (the studio version from the movie), upon advice of a friend. Watching those incredible performances made this version sound amateur-ish, if you can believe that. (Of course I can’t get this song out of my head and keep belting it with the gusto of a gospel singer, just without the gut-so.)

For those of you who are clueless, this is a story about a black all-girl singing group called "The Dreams" that try out for a singing contest at the Apollo Theater in NYC. There they meet both their soon-to-be slime ball manager Curtis Taylor as well as James "Thunder" Early, a popular playboy R&B singster a-la James Brown. The girls sing backup for “Thunder” until they finally get their own solo gig. The full-figured diva Effie White becomes the natural lead singer, followed by the daintier beauties Deena Jones and Lorrell Robinson. The group dynamic takes a turn for the worse when Curtis decides that Deena should become the lead singer because of her softer pop sound over that of meaty soulful Effie, and then Effie gets replaced all together. In the mix, there are jealousies, sour romantic relationships, conspiracies and drama. Lots of drama.  

Moya Angela who plays Effie definitely has a voice and can act, but she was often pitchy and flat on certain higher notes. And I already mentioned my thoughts on "And I am Telling You." I was looking forward to Syesha Mercado playing Deena Jones. Syesha is not only a second runner up on the seventh season of American Idol, but she's also an FIU graduate. I know her voice is supposed to seem purposely inferior to Effie's but I still feel her performance could have generally been stronger. Of the three girl-group members, Lorrell played by Adrienne Warren was the most consistent throughout the performance, keeping a balance between "pretty" and powerful vocals and excellent acting.

The energy of the ensemble was somewhat bipolar, going up and down throughout the show, and the singing was a bit flat at times. True I went on Sunday evening, which was the last night of the tour in Miami. Although I was hoping for a balls to the wall finale, I'll give the cast the benefit of the doubt and say a few long nights out on South Beach is enough to zap anyone's energy by the last day.


Constant scene changes did help the flow. Plus the set design and costumes were magnificent. And of course the show is backed by Award-winning script and music.

The best part of the show was overwhelmingly the character of James "Thunder" Early played by Chester Gregory. His performance was titillating and brought much-needed comic relief and excitement to the show. His electrifying high-pitched screams and “Give me an Oooh Oooh”'s thoroughly entertained the audience!

Overall the show was enjoyable for a lazy Sunday evening. Fortunately I’m no critic. And I really love all Musicals. Have I mentioned that?

Broadway Across America "Dream Girls" Musical at the Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami

Modeling in front of the beautiful architectural structure that is Ziff Ballet Opera House. I love how my Play Bill blends in with my dress.

In our seats. Pretty good ones too.

The cast after they've bowed and are starting to leave the stage.

© 2010, Alexandra Figueredo

To contact the writer, please email her at alexandra@artistamundo.com.

Fall for the Arts Festival unites the community in the arts

By Alexandra Figueredo

ArtistaMundo.com

September 15, 2010

Sunday’s Fall for the Arts Festival at the Adrienne Arsht Center brought together over 100 local arts organizations to showcase their events for the upcoming fall season.

The Adrienne Arsht Center estimates that over the course of the entire day approximately 7,000 people attended the festival.

Andrew Goldberg, Vice President of Marketing for the Adrienne Arsht Center said, “The response from the community has been tremendous. From the participating arts organizations, local artists, families and the community at large, we have received phenomenal feedback about how the Fall for the Arts [Festival] united our community, provided a platform for arts organizations to come together and share information, and created a terrific synergy of excitement and energy around Miami’s arts scene.”  

Each of the local arts organizations had its own booth decorated to highlight the events for the season and provide additional information, giveaways and prizes. Two performance stages were also set up for musical acts. The main stage had live music playing by Los Angeles band Ozomatli, and musical groups Jahfe and DJ El G, among others. There was also a separate stage for families to watch musical groups perform in both English and Spanish.

Ethnic dance performances were sprinkled throughout the festival, including the lively Bahamas Junkanoo Revue and a provincial Colombian dance troupe.

 “We feel so fortunate to have been able to collaborate with the community in a meaningful and impactful way, and we are very grateful to all of our partners who joined in this unprecedented effort to provide an opportunity for arts organizations to engage with the community, build new audiences, and hopefully to inspire Miami’s next generation of arts lovers,” said Goldberg.

For a link to the video footage on YouTube check out: ArtistaMundo @ Fall for the Arts 

© 2010, Alexandra Figueredo

To contact the writer, please email her at alexandra@artistamundo.com.

Embrace the fall while previewing Miami’s arts scene

By Alexandra Figueredo

ArtistaMundo.com

September 10, 2010

Although the leaves may not yet be changing in Miami, the fall season is quickly upon us. That means many exciting new art exhibits and cultural events in Miami’s burgeoning arts community.

The Fall for the Arts Festival will preview all that the local arts scene has to offer this Sunday, Sept. 12, along with live musical performances, workshops and gourmet food in one concentrated area.

The Festival, co-hosted by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County, will take place in the open plaza of the Adrienne Arsht Center in Downtown Miami.

Over 100 arts and cultural organizations will showcase their calendar of events and exhibitions this season. These organizations will have staff on hand to discuss their fall offerings, volunteer opportunities and provide giveaways and prizes.

Miami has seen rapid growth of support and excitement for the arts over the years.

Dennis Scholl, vice president for the arts and Miami program director of the Knight Foundation, said “Miami is having a true cultural moment…Today, we have one of the country’s top visual arts scene, a world-class ballet, a beautiful cultural arts center and much more.”

Furthermore, Scholl said that the Knight Foundation believes that the arts bring the community’s diverse residents together. “The Fall for the Arts Festival is a great example too – hundreds of people from a variety of neighborhoods will be enjoying the arts together downtown on Sunday,” he said.

The Patricia and Phillip Frost Art Museum is one of the local arts organizations that will be represented on Sunday.

The Frost Director and Chief Curator Carol Damian said, “We are very happy to be part of this collaboration and looking forward to Sunday and seeing everyone – and a preview of what will be happening in the cultural community.  I hope it will also help us to plan events that will not conflict with others… if that is possible.”

In addition to giveaways, the Frost will be raffling a family membership to The Museum. 

Two performance stages will feature several musical groups including Ozamatli and Jahfe, and DJ sets by El G (from ZZK Records) and Mr. Pauer. There will also be children’s workshops for acting and breakdance, and several seminars on topics ranging form recruiting volunteers, jobs in the arts and partnering with corporations and business professionals.

For more information, visit: arshtcenter.org/fall.

Fall for the Arts Festival 


When: Sunday, Sept. 12
, 2010

Time: Noon to 6 p.m.

Where: Adrienne Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, FL

Admission: Free

For a link to the article on www.ArtistaMundo.com: Fall for the Arts 

© 2010, Alexandra Figueredo

To contact the writer, please email her at alexandra@artistamundo.com.