‘Dreamgirls’: national actresses see their own stories portrayed in the musical

Considered one of Broadway’s greatest hits, the musical “Dreamgirls” arrives in Brazil for the first time in late July. The play portrays the rise of a group of African-American singers in the United States of the 1960s, telling the story of the Trio The Dreams, formed by Effie White, Deena Jones and Lorell Robinson. The three started their careers participating in contests, receiving several “noos” and dreaming of the stage.

Any resemblance is no coincidence in relation to the trajectories of two of the three protagonists of the show. Leticia Soares (Effie White) and Laura Castro (Deena Jones) relive many personal experiences on stage. “Dreamgirls’ speaks of black protagonism, the strength of women, the struggles of those who want to live on art and that all dreams are possible,” says Laura, who since she was a child knew she wanted to be an actress.

Laura and Leticia today make a career in the theater, but reaching this point was not easy. Former participant of The Voice Kids, from Globo-she was part of Ivete Sangalo’s team in 2017-Laura has other musicals in the curriculum, but this was the most anticipated.

“Many years ago circulating in the middle that ‘Dreamgirls’ would have a Brazilian version, and I imagined myself acting on it. I dreamed a lot and even saw the movie several times to feed this will. When I learned from the auditions, I went after and worked,” says Laura, who plays Deencé, a character lived by Beyoncé in the film of director Bill Condon, released in 2006.

“Look what a responsibility! (Laughs). I have that expectation, and even a ‘good little fear’, the one who makes you want to rehearse, prepare better … Beyoncé was Deena and now she is mine, I want to bring this character to me,” he says.

Graduated in Social Work and former civil servant of Magé City Hall, in Baixada Fluminense, Leticia Soares also has her name linked to the musicals. “The Lion King”, “Change of Habit”, “We Will Rock You”, “Les Miserables”, “The Little Mermaid”, “Rent”, “The Purple Color” and “Brown, The Musical” are some of the shows in which he acted over 12 years of career.

Invited by the production to interpret Effie, the actress feels honored with the character. “We have very similar personalities. I see myself in many situations, and when it happens is a delight, it is an energy that makes you defend the character with all its strength,” says Leticia.

A little eager to debut the musical, which opens in São Paulo on July 31, Benício’s mother, 8, recalls a little of her career. “Acting and even more in a musical was very distant for me. But inside me it was something I knew, I don’t know how, it was possible. It took me a long time to take a theater course, but I was taking the paths, kind of trying to fill the gaps. And I still try to fill,” he says.

The production still has in the cast Samantha Schmütz (Lorell Robinson), Toni Garrido (Curtis Taylor Jr.) and Reynaldo Machado (Jimmy Early).