Hickory – The Hickory Community Theatre has just announced the cast for the upcoming production of the dynamic musical Dreamgirls, opening September 7 in the Jeffers Theatre.

In this toe-tapping and tuneful musical, an opportunistic show business promoter sets the career of a trio of female black singers soaring as 1960’s Motown music becomes popular with both white and black audiences, necessitating the overweight lead singer’s demotion in favor of a more glamorous singer who had previously sung backup.

Playing the three original Dreams are Kayla Ferguson as Deena, Rayanna Dickens as Lorrell and Dior Jarnáe Scott as Effie. Kayla Harper plays Michelle, who joins the group later.

The men behind the women in this story are Yulson Suddreth as Curtis, Tylan James as C.C., Donovan Harper as Jimmy and Malik Hill as Marty.

The ensemble features LaRhonda Carlton, Fentress Chestnut Fountain, Mecca Ettison, Donald Mills Jr., Rac’quel Rogers and Glenn Stanton Wakefield Jr.

Performances of Dreamgirls are on Fridays and Saturdays (Sep 7, 8, 14, 15, 21 and 22) at 8pm, Thursdays (Sep 13 & 20) at 7:30pm and Sundays (Sep 16 and 23) at 2:30pm.

Tickets for Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and $10 for students and youth 18 & under. Thursday night tickets for adults and seniors are $16, students and children are $10.

Tickets are on sale online at hickorytheatre.org or through the Theatre box office, in person or by phone at (828)328-2283. Box office hours are 12-5 Wednesday through Friday.

HCT is a Funded Affiliate of the United Arts Council of Catawba County. The Theatre’s 2018-2019 Season is sponsored by Paramount Automotive and A Cleaner World. Dreamgirls is produced by Shurtape.

PHOTO: The cast of Dreamgirls includes: (from the left, top to bottom) Fentress Chestnut Fountain, Donald Mills Jr., Donovan Harper, Kayla Ferguson, Yulson Suddreth, Dior Jarnáe Scott, Malik Hill, Rac’quel Rogers, Kayla Harper, Rayanna Dickens, Tylan James and Mecca Ettison.

The Motown musical plays in the Jeffers Theatre September 7-23 at the Hickory Community Theatre. Visit www.hickorytheatre.org or call (828) 328-2283 for tickets and information.

Photo by John Koval.