Also this issue: Strikes, Fights, Big City A turbulent New York theater season produced some notable work. -Toby Zinman Lullaby of Broadway This season’s musical theater scene has been a bit sleepy. -David Anthony Fox Alone Again, Naturally -Susan Hagen Artsbeat -Debra Auspitz Green Violin -Steve Cohen The Plotz Retrospective -A.D. Amorosi Bell Esteem -Kristina Weise Don DeLillo -Andrew Ervin

April 24-30, 2003

artpicks

Dreamgirls

Dreamgirls was a huge hit in 1982, rarely revived since then. Whenever there’s a new production of the show, like the one opening this weekend at the Ritz Theatre, it’s worthy of attention.

Henry Krieger and Tom Eyen wrote the Motown-influenced words and music. City Paper recently asked Krieger how he and Eyen, two white men, felt qualified to create the show. "Geographic proximity is one reason," he quipped. "Look, I’m Jewish. My people’s roots are in the Middle East, right next to Africa." Beyond that, he cites the fact that Jews and blacks both were minorities who were discriminated against by mainstream Americans. "When I was growing up, blacks and Jews had more things in common than any other ethnic group."

Dreamgirls is the story of the formation, success, then dissolution of a girl group with some similarities to The Supremes. Krieger, now 58, went on to write Side Show and is currently working on a Broadway musical version of Moonstruck.

Krieger says he is proud that his show chose to realistically portray the lives of African Americans in show business. "Before Dreamgirls, all black musicals were cheerful. The characters were happy-go-lucky, having fun, singing and dancing. We showed a fuller picture, including the unpleasant side."

Dreamgirls, April 25-May 24, $12-$19.50, Ritz Theatre, 915 White Horse Pike, Oaklyn, N.J., 856-858-5230.

—Steve Cohen