The answer is a resounding yes, particularly at the end of the first act where Nicole Raquel Dennis gives a theatre-shaking performance of And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going in her role of Effie White. This moment alone gets many of the audience on their feet unexpectedly at the end of the first act. She is a fantastic presence on stage, brilliantly encapturing the distress in particular of having her lead singing role taken from her and her determination to gain fame.
When it comes to character, there is nothing greater than Brandon Lee Sears's scene-stealing, show-stealing performance as Jimmy Early. Larger than life doesn't really cover it as he chews the scenery, absorbs the love of the audience, and well, just is simply brilliant with vocal performance and stage presence. Matt Mills is suitably controlling as manager Curtis Taylor Jr, gaining the wrath of the audience with his drive for success causing friendships to be destroyed. The ensemble is mostly excellent, bringing Casey Nicholaw's perfectly period choreography to life with their energetic performances.
There is an immense smoothness to this production, and Casey Nicholaw's direction keeps the whole show as slick as some of the hair on show. Scene changes are neat and fast, and there is a constant flow of seeing scenes in stage performance and then behind the scenes, moving smoothly from one to the other in a constant motion, leaving this a continuously moving musical.
Dreamgirls is a tremendously entertaining show and it's simply packed with a multitude of superb songs, be it the familiar One Night Only, or the simplistic, but entertaining Cadillac Car. The show without question comes recommended as it continues its run at the Royal & Derngate until Saturday, or on tour into the new year.
A dream of a stage musical.
⭐⭐⭐⭐½
(Images contain main performers and not some of those mentioned in this review.)
