Jennifer Hudson, who won an Academy Award for her portrayal of Effie White in Bill Condon’s 2006 film adaptation of the musical Dreamgirls, is joining the producing team of the stage revival heading to Broadway this fall.
Directed and choreographed by Camille A. Brown, Dreamgirls features a book and lyrics by Tom Eyen and music by Henry Krieger.
“Twenty years ago, my life changed forever because of a film called Dreamgirls,” Hudson said in a statement. “Inspired by the iconic stage musical, I was given the opportunity of a lifetime to portray the one and only Effie White – a woman whose story and voice remain an ever-present force in my life. I am beyond honored to join the extraordinary producing team behind this special, newly reimagined Broadway revival, and to help bring Dreamgirls back to the stage through the visionary direction and choreography of Camille A. Brown. This fall cannot come soon enough.”
Hudson, an EGOT with Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award wins, joins the revival’s producers Sonia Friedman Productions, Sue Wagner and John Johnson.
Premiering at the Imperial Theatre in 1981, Dreamgirls was originally directed and choreographed by Michael Bennett and launched the career of Jennifer Holliday, whose showstopping performance of “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going” became Broadway legend and helped her nab a Tony Award. In all, the production won six Tonys.
Addition information about the upcoming revival, including casting, will be announced later.
