#SpecMagShorts: ‘Dreamgirls’ Is Coming To Raleigh! Meet Saint Aubyn (Playing “Jimmy Early”)

Raleigh N.C. – North Carolina Theatre, the region’s premiere nonprofit professional regional theatre, will present Dreamgirls at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium at Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Raleigh from February 7th through February 12th.“

Loosely based on the life of Diana Ross and The Supremes, the music, fashion, and ambition of the “girl groups” of Dreamgirls sent ripples of inspiration throughout our culture – artists like the Jacksons, Cher, Madonna, David Bowie, Elton John, Beyonce and more all built upon their otherworldly, inspirational magnificence.  We are so excited to bring this magic to the stage at NCT!” said President and CEO Elizabeth Doran.

The incredible cast of 25 performers features 12 local artists and 13 from NYC, LA, and Chicago. Dreamgirls will star Tamara Jade, who appeared on season 19 of NBC’s hit show “The Voice”, kicking off the show with a bang and earning the first 4-Chair turn of the season and a combined five million views between FaceBook and YouTube as “Effie White”. From the Broadway Production of Six, Joy Woods will portray “Deena Jones”. Nya (Caroline or Change on Broadway) joins the cast as “Lorrell Robinson,” and Najah Hetsberger as “Michelle Morris”.

This star-studded cast will include Erick D. Patrick as “Curtis Taylor, whom North Carolina Theatre fans will remember from the 2019 Production of Mamma Mia! Saint Aubyn (Ain’t too Proud- The Life and Times of the Temptations and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical on Broadway) will join the cast as “James Thunder Early”. Jovan E’Sean as “C.C. White” and North Carolina local Trevor Johnson as “Marty”.

In this episode of Spectacular Magazine Shorts, I talk with one of the Grammy-nominated actors in the play, Saint Aubyn. He tells us about his background, training, Grammy nomination, and how the North Carolina Theatre’s production of Dreamgirls is on-par or above the level of Broadway plays in which he has acted.

#SpectacularMagShorts: Meet Saint Aubyn (“Jimmy Early”) in ‘Dreamgirls’

Rounding out the Dreamgirls cast are ensemble members J. Mahal, Juwon Perry, Matthew Monroe, Sai Graham, Gerard M. Williams, Kameron Askew, Trevor Neal, Deanna Richards, Soraiah J. Williams, Carlita Victoria, Laiya Parker, Mya King, North Carolina Theatre Board Member, Chanda Branch, and Former Conservatory Student, Stephan Emmanuel. Destiny Diamond McNeill and Andrew Coleman are in swing roles.

More About Dreamgirls

Dreamgirls is about a time in American musical history when rhythm and blues blended with other styles of popular music to create a new American sound. Spanning from gospel, R&B, and smooth pop to the arrival of disco, this musical mirrors the glamorous and electrifying rise of groups like The Supremes, The Marvelettes, The Temptations, and The Shirelles. Through exploring themes of ambition, hope, and betrayal, Dreamgirls reveals the behind-the-scenes reality of the competitive entertainment industry, and how women not only survived but redefined the phenomenal “dream.” Dreamgirls was the winner of six 1982 Tony Awards, including Jennifer Holliday for Best Actress, and winner of the Academy Award for Jennifer Hudson.

More Information From the NC Theatre

Sunday, February 12, 2023, audience members will be invited to join us for All In: Community Conversations presented by PNC in the Meymandi Concert Hall lobby immediately following the matinee performance of Dreamgirls at approximately 4:30 pm. The free panel discussion, entitled Successful Women: Advantages, Challenges, and Opportunities, will feature local leaders and community members discussing themes from the show.

For more information, visit https://nctheatre.com/shows/dreamgirls