The Magic 25: 2006, Dreamgirls

DREAMGIRLS is one of the great successes of both Broadway and Hollywood, a winner of 6 Tony awards and an Academy Award winning film. It is a show about a time in American musical history when what is called rhythm and blues blended with other styles of popular music creating a new American sound. This 1981 musical by Henry Krieger and Tom Eyen is loosely based on the story of Diana Ross and the Supremes. Stumptown Stages, the Portland musical theater company, staged a
version of “DREAMGIRLS” the faux-Motown story that’s been a money making machine for both Broadway and Hollywood. It’s a big, difficult production because of the large number of cast members. The familiarity of the franchise helped Stumptown pack the Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center for an extended run. The demand was so strong that Stumptown Stages even added extra shows at the much larger Jefferson High School auditorium.

The play followed the rise of the R&B pop group “The Dreams”. Director Kirk Mouser made some excellent casting choices. Some of which are Johnson-Weiss as Effie and Eugene Blackmon as Jimmy Early. Julianne Johnson-Weiss sang with such a powerful force that she brought down the house without breaking a sweat. Ben Waterhouse of the Willamette Week wrote “Joann Coleman gives a manic, aggressive performance as Deena, and towering Eugene Blackmon (Jimmy Early), sporting a James Brown wig and a succession of silly suits, pulls comic-relief duty while showing off his remarkable stylistic range.”

Photos by Paul Fardig

“Stumptown Stages production of DREAMGIRLS at the IFCC this past season is a shining example of how community and cultural partnerships can create a vibrant and successful arts scene. DREAMGIRLS showcased Portland talent such as Joann Coleman, Lava Alapai, Julianne Johnson-Weiss, Eugene Blackmon and Yohannes Murphy. Joann has since been hired in New York in a production of BEEHIVE and Julianne and Eugene are currently starring in Lakewood’s production of PROMETHEUS. The venue at the IFCC encourages development of a rich cultural offering and in return offers its diverse community immense artistic and educational benefits. DREAMGIRLS success continued its run at Jefferson High where it is now facilitating educational workshops and performances with its students. Congratulations IFCC on your 25th Anniversary.”

by Kirk Mouser
Director of Stumptown Stages production

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