It all starts with a dream…and for a trio of talented girls in the 1960s, their dream was to sing and be heard and blaze a new trail for Black women in the music industry. That’s the story behind Dreamgirls, an extravagant, exuberant musical that’s kicking off the theatre season at Shea’s 710. The 1981 Broadway version has some special Buffalo roots, too, with the late Michael Bennett as the originating choreographer, director, and co-producer.

This one is a collaboration between AnsariSaxon Productions and Shea’s 710 Theatre and features some outstanding young actors and a great group of musicians. This company is a welcomed addition to the local theatre community and I can’t wait to enjoy more of its incredible work.

The story, in brief, centers on The Dreamettes entering a talent show, in their sweet homemade dresses, lovely voices, and gentle style. They’re spotted by a manager who capitalizes on their talent, and his manipulations to put them on a path to stardom…but alas it has its price, including heartbreak and shattered friendships and harsh life lessons about love and trust and the price of fame.

If the story is all too familiar, it’s more than OK because this is a music show and the music is spectacular. Dasia Cervi, Talia Mobley, and Shylah Akiya are Effie, Deena, and Lorrell, the original Dreamettes and their sound is gorgeous. Music Director Karen Saxon has their harmonies tight and melodic and over-the-top beautiful. Their “Move (You’re Stepping on My Heart”) is pop-tune perfection.

It’s Effie’s big voice and Deena’s svelte figure that captures Curtis’ (George L. Brown) fancy. He starts making some pivotal changes to their plans, including putting Deena in Effie’s lead position and bringing in Michelle (Zhanna Reed) to ultimately take her place when he squeezes her out. Cervi channels that anger, hurt, and determination into a dynamic delivery of Effie’s iconic “I’m Not Going” and “I Am Changing” and she made these two anthems to resilience and self-respect soar. Mobley and Brown’s duet “You Are My Dream” is heartbreakingly tender and their voices are smooth as velvet. There are some fun moments, too. Augustus Donaldson is a hoot as Jimmy, the R&B singer with his own dreams of stardom and fame.

What’s a musical without lots of dancing, and this ensemble worked it across dance styles and eras, from R&B to pop and disco. Like Bennett, Naila Ansari wore both the choreographer and director hats here and her passion for movement and the joy it brings were easy to see. What wasn’t easy to see most of the time were the faces of her actors. They played to the center of the house and with a stage design like 710’s, that meant that those of us sitting on the side missed expressions and nuances. Even at curtain call, the actors bowed to the center only. Perhaps it was my side-seat, too, but sometimes the otherwise awesome band overplayed the singers/actors, so lyrics were lost in the musical sauce.

Production values were high for sure, with on-point period costumes and wigs (thanks to Phylicia Robinson Dove) and the actors and ensemble members wore them all very well.

It’s key to remember – and appreciate – that this is a fledgling company that is making solid strategic decisions to build awareness in our theatre community. The majority of the actors are either pursuing their education or are recent grads, so it will be a treasure to watch them grow and take their place alongside our community’s more seasoned actors. There’s an abundance of impressive talent here with an incredible future. Even so, the smallest details are important, from blocking to helping actors work through the affectations of their youth (one actor’s consistent glottal stop – which wasn’t in character or even prevalent in this era – distracted from an otherwise outstanding performance.)

All told, Dreamgirls was spectacular, from the look of the show to the soaring notes of the music, and the messages it all conveyed. Voices matter. Dreams can’t be snuffed out. True power comes from the heart and soul. Brava AnsariSaxon Productions and your entire team.

Dreamgirls runs a little over two hours with an intermission, until September 28. Find tickets and details at sheas.org.