MANSFIELD — If you’re “looking for something” to do this weekend, the Renaissance Theatre presents a pandemic-friendly entertainment option that you can enjoy at home.
The Renaissance Theatre is presenting a one-of-a-kind production of the musical “Dreamgirls” with “Dreamgirls: The Virtual Concert Experience.” The show will stream online for a limited time – all day, Jan. 23, Jan. 30 and Feb. 6.
Based on the lives and careers of Diana Ross and the Supremes, James Brown, The Shirelles, and other R&B groups, “Dreamgirls” tells the story of a Chicago girl group who become musical superstars. It is credited with shining a light onto the struggles of African American and female artists as they fight to gain success and acceptance in the entertainment business.
According to director Michael Thomas, the Renaissance was looking for a show with a smaller cast in order to practice social distancing and other safety precautions while rehearsing. “Dreamgirls” was a natural solution.
“It honestly was not a piece I was familiar with,” Thomas said. “But then I started thinking about conversations we’ve had with the African American community in Mansfield; we want to make sure everyone feels included, and we heard they never felt comfortable and never felt like it was a safe space.
“We wanted to draw people in not only from the African American community but across the board, and all of a sudden ‘Dreamgirls’ popped back into my head,” he said. “And I realized we have all the right people for these roles, and we could do it safely.”
This unique version of the hit musical stars Condrea Webber, Leiah Lewis, Jody Odom Jr, Deon Taylor, Najee Rawls, Chantel Ross, Nykera Gardner, George Swarn, Kartrea Johnson, Torre and Tonne Webber, Desi Hunt, Caroline Grace Williams, Ryan Shreve, and Emma Skaggs.
Once the musical was cast, it was a matter of thinking creatively to bring the show to the public safely. That’s when the idea of a film came to fruition.
“We’re flying by the seat of our pants, but everybody is so good and so organized,” Thomas said. “How we created this show is really beyond me; the quality that we’ve ended up with has been a true surprise gift.”
“Dreamgirls: The Virtual Concert Experience” includes projected imagery by Ashland native Ryan Shreve of Fyrebird Media, choreography by Deon Taylor and Miss Ohio 2020 Caroline Grace Williams, light and sound design by Aaron Nicolas, photography direction by Ryan Shealy, and costume design by Linda Turske.
“It was originally going to be a concert experience, but we all came together and decided to take it one step further,” said Shreve, who also works as the show’s cinematographer. “I saw some great theater being put on in a way that was both theater and film, so we tackled it that way.”
Shreve has extensive experience on the tech side of theater; he helped film the Renaissance’s QuaRENtine Creations video series, and created a number of magical transformations using projection design during the Renaissance production of “Cinderella” in November.
For “Dreamgirls,” Shreve follows the cast with a camera during each scene, and will edit the final production together for streaming this weekend.
“The cinematography has really been a lot of choreography,” Shreve said. “I memorize where their movements are going to land and where the camera should land in terms of where their faces are going to be and where the action is.”
The adjustment has been significant for the cast as well. For Condrea Webber, who plays Effie White, she had to learn to act in a more intimate setting.
“I’m so used to playing to the house, but now that we’re getting to the end of this I’m more comfortable with acting face-to-face,” Webber said. “I think it makes it more real, because we’re in such close contact and we’re able to act closer.”
Originally starring Jennifer Holliday, the “Dreamgirls” musical opened in December 1981 on Broadway. Webber said she has used Holliday’s performance as inspiration for her own.
“I remember my mom talking about Jennifer Holliday and her big, boisterous voice, so to be asked to play this role and fill those shoes, it’s an honor,” Webber said. “Effie is one of those people who has been there, started from the bottom and tried to make their way, and pushed to the side sometimes. I definitely identify with that.”
Acting with no audience has also been a challenge for Jody Odom Jr., who brings to life the James Brown-type character of James Early.
“I am missing the energy from the audience, but it challenges me to find the energy within myself,” Odom Jr. said. “I’m obsessed with seeing everyone’s passion behind doing this, because it’s a first for everybody, so to see that spark light up within everyone around me for something that is new and challenging, it’s so beautiful.”
The at-home audience for “Dreamgirls” can purchase the virtual concert experience for $10 at rentickets.org. The At-Home Stream is available to watch from 12 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on each day of the show.
One tangible perk of watching the show from your living room: No consequences for dancing or singing along.
“I’ve had way too much fun listening to the soundtrack on my own time and studying it, sometimes even doing other people’s parts because I’m that excited about how good this music is,” Odom Jr. said. “It’ll make anybody move when you’re listening to it.”
