NewsPHOTO EXCLUSIVE: Dreamgirls' Brittney Griffin Reports from San FranciscoThe new touring production of Dreamgirls, which premiered last year at New York's Apollo Theatre, has made it across the nation and is currently playing San Francisco's Curran Theatre.
By
Matthew Blank
September 22, 2010
Cast member Brittney Griffin, who serves as company Dance Captain and a "swing" covering multiple roles, graciously took some photos at the show's latest stop and shared them with Playbill.com.
These exclusive shots offer a look at the historic Curran Theatre, some sights around the "City by the Bay," and a glimpse of what a day at the office is like for a hard-working swing on a major tour:
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PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: Dreamgirls' Brittney Griffin Reports from San Francisco
PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: Dreamgirls' Brittney Griffin Reports from San Francisco
The new touring production of Dreamgirls, which premiered last year at New York's Apollo Theatre, has made it across the nation and is currently playing San Francisco's Curran Theatre. Cast member Brittney Griffin, who serves as the company's dance captain and a swing for multiple roles, shares shots from backstage and around the city.
18 PHOTOS
The Curran Theatre has been our home away from home for the last four weeks!
Brittney Griffin
It's a true family affair in the ladies dressing room at the Curran. Backstage space is almost as tight as it was as the Apollo Theater and we roll eight deep!
Brittney Griffin
Time to work! Keeping an eye on the proceedings at understudy rehearsal.
Brittney Griffin
Reviewing the weekly schedule with production stage manager Ray Gin.
Brittney Griffin
Addressing the ensemble at 15 minutes before half hour.
Brittney Griffin
Giving cast member Ronald Duncan a few notes before the show.
Brittney Griffin
A glimpse inside my glamorous "office"… LOL!
Brittney Griffin
Adjusting the show "bible" on my computer.
Brittney Griffin
On this particular night, three girls are out and there is one female swing... ME! (You do the math.) Reviewing my book and my three tracks of notes before the show is vital.
But during the day there’s still time for fun in the Bay City. You can hop on a cute tour car in downtown San Fran...
Brittney Griffin
... or get your fill of fabulous sweet potato pancakes at Brenda’s on Polk Street.
Brittney Griffin
Catching lunch on a two-show day with cast member Jared Joseph.
Brittney Griffin
But then it's back to work! A quick look at some of the fantastic Paul Huntley wigs in the show. 205 wigs travel with the show and 175 are used over the course of a single performance.
Brittney Griffin
One of the advantages of covering so many tracks is that I get to call a whole bunch of William Ivey Long's incredible costumes my own.
Brittney Griffin
Quickchange time!
Brittney Griffin
Grabbing a quick hug with Trevon Davis, who plays C.C. White, at the top of Act II.
Brittney Griffin
"All you've got to do is dream, baby..."
Brittney Griffin
..."We'll be there!" Well, in San Fran until Sunday. But in Atlanta, Miami, Nashville, Indianapolis, Charlotte, Tampa, West Palm Beach, Memphis, Buffalo and Detroit soon enough!
Dreamgirls plays San Francisco through Sept. 26 before hittin' the road for Atlanta. Future stops include:
Atlanta, GA (Oct. 12-17 at the Fox Theatre) Miami, FL (October 19 - 24 at the Adrienne Arsht Center) Nashville, TN (Oct. 26-31 at the Tennessee PAC) Indianapolis, IN (Nov. 2-7 at the Murat Theatre) Charlotte, NC (Nov. 9-14 at the Belk Theatre) Tampa, FL (Nov. 16-21 at the Straz Center) West Palm Beach, FL (Nov. 23-26 at the Kravis Center) Memphis, TN (Nov. 30-Dec. 5 at the Orpheum Theatre) Buffalo, NY (Dec. 14-19 at Shea's PAC) Detroit, MI (December 21 - January 2 at the Fox Theatre)
The current company includes Moya Angela as Effie White and feature, as The Dreams, Syesha Mercado as Deena Jones, Adrienne Warren as Lorrell Robinson, and Margaret Hoffman as Michelle Morris with Chaz Lamar Shepherd as Curtis Taylor, Jr., Chester Gregory is James "Thunder" Early, Trevon Davis as C.C. White, Milton Craig Nealy as Marty Madison. At certain performances, Patrice Covington plays the role of Effie White. The cast of 26 also features Tallia Brinson, Felicia Boswell, Ronald Duncan, Talitha Farrow, Brittney Griffin, Robert Hartwell, Jared Joseph, Nikki Kimbrough, Grasan Kingsberry, Eric Jackson, Brittany Lewis, Douglas Lyons, Kimberly Marable, Jarran Muse, Amaker Smith, Marc Spaulding and Terrance Lemar Thomas.
