News Release Virginia Repertory Theatre

For Immediate Release Date: June 3, 2016

Contact: Susan Davenport Director of Communications Virginia Repertory Theatre [email protected] 804-783-1688 ext 1133 804-513-8211

Virginia Rep Announces the Opening of Dreamgirls, The Megawatt Broadway Sensation

Starring Desiree Roots, Zuri Washington, and Felicia Curry

Richmond, VA – Virginia Repertory Theatre announces the opening of Dreamgirls on June 24 at the Sara Belle and Neil November Theatre, 114 West Broad Street. The production runs through August 7, 2016. With music by Henry Krieger and lyrics and book by Tom Eyen, this megawatt Broadway crowd-pleaser electrifies the stage with Motown dreams and powerhouse voices. Loosely based on Diana Ross and the Supremes, the story follows the turbo-charged rise to fame of the Dreams.

Director Chase Kniffen has reassembled many of the designers and cast members from the 2014 Virginia Rep box office hit, The Color Purple. “I am thrilled to work with these incredible actors again – Felicia, Desiree, Jerold, Katrinah and many of the ensemble. Dreamgirls is a very different show. It’s glitzy and fast and more of a spectacle, but these actors are talented and versatile. It will be a real treat for patrons who fell in love with The Color Purple.”

Kniffen’s recent directing credits include Gypsy, South Pacific, The Color Purple for Virginia Rep and Caroline, or Change for Cadence Theatre Company in partnership with Virginia Rep. He won the 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2014 RTCC Award for Best Director of a Musical for his work on The Sound of Music, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Spring Awakening, and The Color Purple.

Music Director, John Winn, tours Asia, Russia, Turkey and Mexico leading his jazz quartet as singer/saxophonist and performs frequently in pit orchestras for touring Broadway productions in Richmond and Norfolk. Currently he teaches music at St. Christopher’s School. He recently music directed Mame for Virginia Rep.

Choreographer, Leslie Owens-Harrington, is a seasoned choreographer with a diverse repertoire from theme park mainstage presentations to HBO’s featured movie Iron Jawed Angels. A few of her musical credits include Gypsy, The Color Purple, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, My Fair Lady, The Wizard of Oz, Annie Get Your Gun, Ain’t Misbehavin’, and Anything Goes. Harrington’s Director/Choreographer credits include Once on This Island, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, and Ragtime.

Lighting designer Joe Doran’s work with Virginia Rep includes South Pacific, The Color Purple and A Year with Frog and Toad. Broadway credits include assistant lighting director for Doctor Zhivago and Magic/Bird. National Tours include Anything Goes, West Side Story, Flashdance the Musical, and In the Heights.

Desiree Roots returns to the November stage in the role of Effie. Recent Virginia Rep credits include lead roles in Vera in Mame, Sofia in The Color Purple, and Caroline in Caroline or Change (RTCC Award Best Actress in a Musical) in partnership with Cadence Theatre Company. She is the recipient of the Theresa Pollack Award for vocal excellence in the arts. Roots has been the opening act for such internationally known performers as B. B. King, Kenny Garrett, Bobby Watson, Art Porter, Gerald Albright, Leslie Uggams, and Bill Cosby. Her first Jazz CD, Don’t Ever Stop Dreaming, was released in 2015.

Virginia Rep is delighted to welcome Zuri Washington in her Virginia Rep debut in the role of Deena. Recent credits include the lead role of Felicia in the National Tour of Memphis, which recently played at the Altria Theatre. Other credits include Danielle in Bring It On: The Musical, Deloris Van Cartier in Sister Act, and Maureen in RENT.

Felicia Curry returns to Virginia Rep in the role of Lorrell Robinson. Curry was last seen on the November Stage in 2014 in the lead role of Celie in The Color Purple for which she won an RTCC Award for Best Actress in a Musical. She has performed on stage at many of the nation’s leading regional theatres, including Arena Stage, Signature Theatre, Ford’s Theatre, Studio Theatre and has been seen in multiple productions on The Kennedy Center stage. She is a Helen Hayes Award recipient for her work in Signature Theatre’s groundbreaking production of Les Miserables and a Helen Hayes nominee for her work in Godspell and Aida at Toby’s Dinner Theatre. She has toured nationally with the Capital Steps and Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka. Recent credits include Disgraced at Arena Stage and Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike and The Mountaintop (Gulfshore Playhouse).

Jerold Solomon will play the role of Curtis. Virginia Rep credits include The Color Purple, The Whipping Man, and The Mountaintop in partnership with Cadence Theatre Company. Broadway credits include South Pacific at Lincoln Center and the Off- Broadway production of Bare. National tours include Ragtime, Big River, and Annie.

Four Thoughts 1:30 p.m. on Sundays The Four Thoughts discussion series will continue on Sundays throughout the run. Experts will present four thoughts or ideas that provide context to the play. Open to public. No reservation needed.

Ticket Information Box Office 804-282-2620 www.virginiarep.org Full Price Tickets: $48 - $60. Discounted Group Rates and Rush tickets available. U-Tix for college and high school students $15. Available by phone or in person day of show only. Student ID required.

The Sara Belle and Neil November Theatre is equipped with a new state-of the-art induction loop hearing system that is compatible with all telecoil-equipped hearing aids and cochlear implants. A handheld receiver and headphone system is also available free of charge for anyone who is hearing impaired.

Valet parking is available for $8 at all performances and free self-park is available for patrons within blocks of the theatre.

Press Kits Available at http://va-rep.org/press.html Pass code accessible Hi Res photos available to media. username = press password = HiRes121

Evening performances at 8:00 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 7:00 p.m. on Thursdays and select Wednesdays

Matinee performances at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday and select Wednesdays and Saturdays

Direction & Design Director Chase Kniffen Music Director John Winn Choreographer Leslie Owens-Harrington^ Scenic Designer Ron Keller+ Lighting Designer Joe Doran+ Costume Designer Sarah Grady Stage Manager Ginnie Willard*

Cast List Effie Melody White Desiree Roots* Deena Jones Zuri Washington* Lorrell Robinson Felicia Curry* Curtis Taylor, Jr. Jerold Solomon* James Thunder Early D. Jerome Wells* CC White/u/s Curtis Durron Tyre Marty Billy Dye Michelle Morris Katrinah Carol Lewis

Ensemble: Trent Williams, Anthony Cosby, Tybias Whitehead, Reed Patterson, Ashlee Heyward, Courtney Jamison, Cariel Hughes, Skye Hagood, Madison Harris, Nicole Oberleitner, Mallory Keene, Gerald Jackson

+Member of USA United Scenic Artists: local 829

* Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the U.S.A.

^Member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, a national theatrical labor union

Full bios can be found at www.virginiarep.org.

About Virginia Repertory Theatre Virginia Repertory Theatre is the regional professional theatre in Richmond, Virginia. With a budget of $5 million, four distinct venues, an educational touring arm, and an annual audience over 530,000, Virginia Rep is one of the largest performing arts organizations in Central Virginia. Virginia Rep stages four seasons annually: the Signature Season at the Sara Belle and Neil November Theatre, Theatre Gym Season in partnership with Cadence Theatre Company, Virginia Rep’s Children’s Season at Willow Lawn, and the Hanover Tavern Season.

Corporate Sponsors Virginia Rep is grateful for the following support:

Premier Sponsor Dominion

Production Sponsor Union Bank and Trust

Season Sponsors: Atria E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation Commission for the Arts National Endowment for the Arts The Richmond Times- Dispatch Community Idea Stations