Dreamgirls: Broadway’s Motown Epic and the Tony Race of 1982

In this two-part deep dive, host Matt Koplik and guest Jason Veasey (Broadway’s A Strange Loop, Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building) revisit Dreamgirls, the groundbreaking 1981 musical that blended Motown-inspired storytelling with Michael Bennett’s cinematic staging. Part One explores the show’s tumultuous development, its powerhouse original cast, and the infamous Tony Awards face-off with Nine.

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Guest: Jason Veasey

Jason Veasey (@veaseyville) is a Broadway and television actor best known for originating roles in the Pulitzer Prize-winning A Strange Loop. His screen credits include Only Murders in the Building and the upcoming series Best Medicine. With deep roots in musical theater history and lived experience as a Black performer navigating Broadway, Jason brings sharp insight and heartfelt perspective to this Dreamgirls deep dive

Timestamps

00:01 – Welcome

02:14 – A brisk plot rundown: Effie, Deena, Lorrell, and Curtis Taylor Jr.

05:12 – Jason’s first encounters with Dreamgirls in Black cultural memory

12:16 – The Actor’s Fund concert: Audra, Lillias, Heather, and the power of divas

16:22 – Michael Bennett’s original staging: spectacle, storytelling, and critical pushback

27:41 – Early development: Nell Carter, Loretta Devine, Sheryl Lee Ralph, and endless workshops

43:36 – The 1982 Tony Awards: Dreamgirls vs. Nine, Bennett vs. Tune

53:17 – The politics of race, spectacle, and creative control on Broadway

Key People Mentioned

Creators: Michael Bennett (director/choreographer), Tom Eyen (book/lyrics), Henry Krieger (music)

Original Cast: Jennifer Holliday, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Loretta Devine, Cleavant Derricks, Ben Harney, Obba Babatundé

Notable Later Performers: Audra McDonald, Heather Headley, Lillias White, Beyoncé, Anika Noni Rose, Jennifer Hudson

Industry Figures: Joseph Papp, Bob Avian, Mark Shaiman, Frank Rich

Resources & Links

1982 Tony Awards Performance – Jennifer Holliday

2001 Actor’s Fund Concert Album

“The Story of Dreamgirls” Documentary

Vanity Fair: Dreamgirls, Nine, and the Greatest Face-Off in Tony Award History

Frank Rich’s Original NYT Review (1981)

Sheryl Lee Ralph Interview Clip

Listener Discussion Questions

What do you think makes Dreamgirls resonate across generations—even for people who never saw it on stage?

How do you feel about Michael Bennett’s use of spectacle: brilliant storytelling or overcompensation?

Which Dreamgirls performance (on stage, in concert, or on film) stands out most to you, and why?

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