The celebrated musical Dreamgirls, about the struggles of a singing group as it rises to fame, will be revived on Broadway in the fall of 2026.
The show’s original 1981 production, directed and choreographed by Michael Bennett, ran for nearly four years and won six 1982 Tony Awards including “Best Leading Actress in a Musical” for Jennifer Holliday, who played “Effie White,” a singer who gets ejected from the group.
Holiday electrified audiences with her show-stopping Act One finale, “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going.”
I was just beginning my 45+ year career as an actor when the musical debuted on Broadway. I saw the original production 14 times during its original run. I’ve often told friends and colleagues the show and its incredible cast gave me the most impactful acting class of my life.
I’d never seen such unbridled, raw performances onstage. It was the first time I felt I was given “permission” to bring that much passion to the stage.
The musical, written by Henry Krieger and Tom Eyen, returned to Broadway in 1987 when a national touring company landed on the Great White Way. Additionally, there was a 2001 all-star “one night only” benefit in 2001.
The 2006 film adaptation of Dreamgirls starred Beyoncé as “Deena Jones” and Jennifer Hudson, who scored an Oscar for her portrayal as “Effie.”
The upcoming Broadway revival will be directed and choreographed by five-time Tony Award nominee, Camille A. Brown. And the producing team includes LaChanze, a Tony-winning actress who has pivoted to producing, and was in the ensemble of the 1987 Broadway revival.
The producers have announced they will conduct a world-wide audition tour seeking “talented women of all shapes and sizes” in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Detroit, Miami, London, Toronto, Mexico City, Amsterdam, Rome and Paris.
‘Dreamgirls’ Revival Heading To Broadway In Fall 2026 With Camille A. Brown Directing And Choreographing https://t.co/McAI4iHawK
— Deadline (@DEADLINE) September 15, 2025
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