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Dreamgirls extends in the West End with new cast
Marisha Wallace, Moya Angela and Karen Mav will share role of Effie White.
As it reaches its first birthday in London’s West End, the Dreamgirls musical has announced it will extend booking through to the 2 June 2018, and will welcome new cast members Moya Angela, Marisha Wallace and Karen Mav. The three will take over from Amber Riley as Effie, sharing the role throughout the week.
Asmeret Ghebremichael will continue as Lorrell Robinson, with Joe Aaron Reid remaining as Curtis Taylor Jr.
They will be joined by Broadway’s Brennyn Lark as Deena Jones, Tosh Wanogho-Maud as Jimmy Early, Durone Stokes as C.C. White, Delroy Brown as Marty, and Kimmy Edwards as Michelle Morris.
Marisha Wallace joined the cast at the Savoy Theatre from Broadway, having celebrated rave reviews as Effie in the Dallas Theatre Center production.
She has original roles in Disney’s Aladdin and Something Rotten! on Broadway, and toured the US in Book of Mormon.
Moya Angela played Effie White in the North American revival tour of Dreamgirls, as well as having toured with Disney’s The Lion King and being part of the original Broadway cast of Ghost the Musical.
Karen Mav joined Dreamgirls last year as her professional theatre debut. She was also a contestant on ITV’s The X Factor in 2015.
Dreamgirls producer Sonia Friedman says:
“The thrill of Dreamgirls is to experience the brilliance of the human voice. Effie White is arguably the biggest sing in musical theatre history, which is why we have cast three extraordinary vocalists to play this iconic role. Audiences experience goosebumps and tingles when they hear the fantastic songs in this show, sung by the very greatest singers on this planet, and each of these three actresses put goosebumps on top of goosebumps – London theatregoers are extremely lucky and privileged to have the chance to witness their rare and awe inspiring talents.”
Dreamgirls originated on Broadway with music by Henry Krieger and lyrics and book by Tom Eyen.
The cast is completed by Michael Afemaré, Callum Aylott, Georgia Bradshaw, Jabari Braham, Ashford Campbell, Sanchia Amber Clarke, Nicole Raquel Dennis, Nicole Deon, Rhiane Drummond, Ashlee Irish, Emma Louise Jones, Ashley Luke Lloyd, Samira Mighty, Jayde Nelson, Aston New, Sean Parkins, Kirk Patterson, Rohan Pinnock-Hamilton, Ryan Reid, Rohan Richards and Joshua Robinson.
The musical follows the Dreams – Effie, Lorrell and Deena – three talented young singers in the 1960s. The production joins the friends as they embark on an adventure through the world of fame, fortune and reality.
The role of Effie is currently being played by Amber Riley, with Angela, Wallace and Mav taking over from the 20 November 2017.
Dreamgirls continues at London’s Savoy Theatre in the West End, now running until the 2 June 2018. Check back soon for tickets for the extension. A selection of tickets are available at Ticketmaster.co.uk.
