Written By: Melissa M
After more than four decades since its original Broadway debut, the iconic musical Dreamgirls is returning to New York’s Great White Way with its very first full-scale Broadway revival. Producers Sonia Friedman, Sue Wagner, John Johnson, and LaChanze have announced that Dreamgirls will open in Fall 2026, bringing fresh energy to this beloved show.
The revival will be directed and choreographed by Camille A. Brown, a five-time Tony Award nominee. This production marks her debut as a Broadway musical director.
Dreamgirls first opened on Broadway at the Imperial Theatre on December 20, 1981. With book and lyrics by Tom Eyen, music by Henry Krieger, and direction/choreography by Michael Bennett (alongside Michael Peters for choreography), the original cast included Jennifer Holliday as Effie White, Sheryl Lee Ralph as Deena Jones, Loretta Devine as Lorrell Robinson, among others.
The show was a major success: it ran until 1985, earned 13 Tony nominations and won six, including Best Book of a Musical, Best Performance by a Leading Actress (Jennifer Holliday), Best Supporting Actor (Cleavant Derricks), Best Lead Actor (Ben Harney), and Best Choreography.
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What the Revival Will Offer
- The producing team is conducting a global casting search to find the trio at the heart of Dreamgirls—The Dreams—holding open auditions in cities including New York, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Chicago, Atlanta, Detroit, Miami, Toronto, Mexico City, Rome, Amsterdam, and more. Auditions are open to “talented women of all shapes and sizes.”
- While specifics such as the theater, exact production design, and full cast are not yet finalized, interest is high given Dreamgirls’ enduring influence.
Why Now? The Enduring Legacy of Dreamgirls
Dreamgirls has long been celebrated for its powerful score, groundbreaking Black cast, and its exploration of fame, identity, and the music industry during a moment of social change. Songs like “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going,” “One Night Only,” and “Dreamgirls” remain among the show’s unforgettable highlights.
Though there have been tours, concert versions, and international productions (including a celebrated West End staging in 2016), Dreamgirls has not had a full Broadway revival since its original run ended in 1985.
The revival of Dreamgirls in Fall 2026 is highly anticipated—not just by longtime fans, but by new audiences who may be discovering the show for the first time. With Camille A. Brown at the helm and an international search for the Dreams, there is potential for a production that honors the original while offering something fresh and resonant for today. Stay tuned for announcements about casting, theater venue, ticketing, and more.
