'Dreamgirls' a dream come true for Farmville native, director

FARMVILLE — The first time Kimberly Jones stepped onto a stage to perform, it was this one. Paramount Theatre was where she made her debut as a child with DotDee’s School of Dance. When Jones grew up and opened her own dance academy in Greenville, she staged her first production here at the theater on Farmville’s Main Street. Two decades later, she is back as director of the hit musical “Dreamgirls,” which opened Thursday.

The Tony Award-winning play, which opened on Broadway in 1981, follows members of a young black female singing group on the road to becoming superstars. For Jones, bringing it to the Farmville stage is a dream come true.

“I grew up in this theater,” she said in an interview. “I always wanted to direct musicals and plays in general. To have that opportunity presented to me with ‘Dreamgirls’ is the ultimate.”

With music by Henry Krieger and lyrics and book by Tom Eyen, “Dreamgirls,” tells the story of the Dreamettes, a Chicago singing trio fashioned after such groups as The Supremes and The Shirelles. The Farmville Community Arts Council presentation features a cast of 22, along with an 11-piece band taking the stage for an eight-show run.

FCAC board member Gloria Ryann, who made her Farmville debut in “Wizard of Oz” last spring, is new to musical theater. But she is no stranger to the role of background singer, having provided supporting vocals for artists including Deborah Cox and Jennifer Hudson (who starred in a 2006 film version of “Dreamgirls.”)

“A lot of my friends do it (musical theater) in New York,” said Ryann, who moved to Farmville from the Big Apple three years ago with her husband and fellow musician Rakiem Walker. “I have not jumped into it as much.”

Ryann plays Deanna Jones, whose rising stardom creates tension with fellow Dreamettes Effie White (played by Jeannette Anderson of Goldsboro, whose stage credits include “Church Boy In The Dark” and “I Can See Now”) and Lorrell Robinson (played by Ashka Lewis, recently seen in Magnolia Arts Center’s “Summer of Love” and “Little Shop of Horrors”).

“Dreamgirls is right up my lane with all the shoulder action but not as much choreography,” Ryann said. “So this has definitely been a learning curve for me, which is great. I’m really challenging myself.”

Musical theater is also a new experience for Cameron Moore, who portrays musician Jimmy Early and for Deonte Gardner, who plays Jimmy’s agent, Marty Madison.

“I didn’t realize it (“Dreamgirls”) was so male-heavy until I actually came to the first rehearsal and then saw all the lines,” said Gardner, who is a worship leader for Kingdom Life Empowerment Ministries in Kinston. “There are a lot of men.”

A Snow Hill native, Gardner grew up singing in church and performed on occasion with Jones and her sister at their father’s church, Rouse’s Abundant Life Ministries. (Jones’ sister, Jessica Fisher, serves as vocal director for “Dreamgirls,” and their father, Bishop Jessie Jones has a role as the master of ceremonies and announcer.)

“At first I was thinking I was just going to be singing because that’s my alley,” Gardner said. “I’ve never actually acted before, but I think I’ll be fine. It didn’t take long for me to warm up to it because I knew most of the songs.”

Moore, a senior at Southside High School in Chocowinity, also is a newcomer to the stage.

“I only have background in my living room,” the 18-year-old said, laughing, adding that the last appearance he can recall was an elementary school “Motown Christmas” performance in which he sang Michael Jackson’s “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.”

“My family always calls me an old soul,” he said. “I grew up with my dad listening to the Jackson 5 and The Temptations, and my mom loves the Supremes.”

Jones, who was born after “Dreamgirls” ended its Broadway run, also has come to embrace its sound. Over the years, she has choreographed routines to tunes such as the Dreamettes’ “Move” and Jimmy Early’s “Rap” for her dance competition teams. One former and two current students from her studio, Katura Dance Academy, will take the stage as part of the ensemble for the production.

“It’s going to be a good show,” Jones said. “I’m really excited to bring it to my hometown.”