It has been confirmed that Ruth Brown and Karen Mav will alternate the role of Effie White, when Amber Riley is scheduled not to appear.
The previously confirmed Amber Riley will appear in the London production for seven performances a week, but not appearing on Wednesday performances.
She will be supported by Ruth Brown and Karen Mav in the role of Effie White in the musical Dreamgirls when it comes to London for its UK premiere in November.
Inspired by R&B music acts in 1960s America, Dreamgirls transports you to a revolutionary time in American music history. Dreamgirls charts the tumultuous journey of a young female singing trio, from Chicago, Illinois called ‘The Dreams’, as they learn the hard lesson that show business is as tough as it is fabulous and features the classic songs ‘And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going’, ‘Listen’ and ‘One Night Only’.
Amber Riley is best known for her role as Mercedes Jones, in the hit television show Glee. She has also competed in Dancing with the Stars, which she went on to win in 2013. Her theatre credits include Alice in Wonderland, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Into the Woods and Mystery on the Docks with the Los Angeles Opera.
Meanwhile, Ruth Brown found fame through the first series of BBC’s The Voice, reaching the semi-finals under the guidance of Sir Tom Jones. Having released her debut single ‘P.O.P.’, she is also preparing to release her debut album ‘Letters of Truth’.
Karen Mav was recently a contestant on the 2015 series of ITV’s The X Factor where she wowed TV audiences and judges with her take on Etta James’s ‘I’d Rather Go Blind’ and the Whitney Houston version of the classic ‘I Will Always Love You’.
Further casting for the production has yet to be confirmed.
Sonia Friedman, Producer said: “This is fantastic news for the production. Casting Amber Riley is of course thrilling as she is the most extraordinary talent to star in our show, but now to be able to announce that Ruth Brown and Karen Mav will be joining the show, to cover Amber and share performances on the night that Amber will not be on is just fantastic.”
The production will be directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw, Set Design by Tim Hatley, Costume Design by Gregg Barnes, Lighting Design by Hugh Vanstone, Sound Design by Richard Brooker and Hair Design by Josh Marquette.
Dreamgirls features a book and lyrics by Tom Eyen, with music by Henry Krieger. The musical originally opened on Broadway in 1981, directed by Michael Bennett and went on to win six Tony awards. It was then transformed into a film starring Jennifer Hudson, Beyoncé Knowles, Eddie Murphy and Jamie Foxx in 2006.
Dreamgirls will arrive at London’s Savoy Theatre from the 19th November and is booking until the 11th March 2017. To book tickets visit: ATG Tickets, Ticketmaster.co.uk, Last Minute.com, Theatre Tickets Direct.co.uk, Love Theatre.com, UK Tickets.co.uk and Theatre People.com.