Every now and then, you get the opportunity to see a production of a musical that isn’t done very often – At least not in Salt Lake City. That’s the case with The Grand Theatre’s current production of “Dream Girls.” And heads up – this is its last weekend!

I don’t think I’ve seen Dream Girls on stage since 2013, (I had to look it up) when I wrote about it for the Deseret News. And that was the Broadway tour so none of the performers or musicians were local.

But that’s not the case with the Grand’s production. “Dream Girls” takes a lot of wonderfully talented Black performers and, as Latoya Cameron referenced in her director’s notes, most people thought that it couldn’t be done in little ‘ol SLC. But Cameron assembled a large cast – almost 25 performers – that proved otherwise. And, for a show about a music group, this show delivers in spades.

First up – KUDOS to the Grand for that fabulous live orchestra! What a treat to hear the Motown/soul/R&B sound with live musicians including a brass section. The moment the music started my heart pitter-pattered as I realized I was listening to a live in-person orchestra. Thank you, Grand Theatre.

“Dream Girls” is about the rise, of a girl group called The Dreamettes, or The Dreams, as they’d eventually be known, similar to The Supremes. It’s about their music, but it’s also about the people who help, or hinder, their success along the way and shines a spotlight on how we treat each other when our dreams are coming true, and when they’re not.

You can’t stage “Dream Girls” without finding some killer vocalists who can wail with the best of ’em and these gals do. Quesley Soto as Effie, Kandyce Marie as Deena, and Darby Mest as Lorrell, not only sell their solos, but their harmonies are terrific and, their friendship feels genuine. The men in the cast hold their own as well – Steven Taylor (Curtis), Kiirt Banks (James “Thunder” Early), Asher Head (C.C.) and Sean J. Carter (Marty). The large ensemble portray different people throughout the story and energetically bring the large group numbers to life.

Shannon McCullock’s costumes are so fun and colorful; taking us from the 1960s in Act I to the ’70s in Act II. Day clothes to concert dresses in bold patterns, shiny fabrics and numerous costumes changes. It was a treat. They also had a hefty amount of wigs for the large cast, designed by Erin McCullock.

Halee Rasmussen’s set design, took us from the Apollo Theater, to recording studios; small clubs to concert halls, with help by Drew Bielinski’s lighting design, and both were very effective.

AND, bonus points for having an actual playbill so I can read about the talented performers and creative team while I sip my coffee the next morning!

I walked out humming “One Night Only,” so did others. You have three nights only to catch this show before it closes – June 12, 13 and 14 https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/grandtheatrecompany/7217?productionidlist=215786

CONTENT – The Grand has given it a rating of PG-13. There is some talk of having affairs and one performer playfully drops his pants, wearing boxers.