‘Dreamgirls’ Puts On Quite a Show

“Dreamgirls” surged into the South Bay on Saturday on a tidal wave of high-flying emotion, raucous rhythms and captivating stage movement.

All that--plus a running commentary on the evolution of black and white pop in the ‘60s and ‘70s and a broader examination of the chronic conflict between the individual and the group, a theme also shared by original director Michael Bennett’s other big hit, “A Chorus Line.”

Not bad for what looks, on the surface, like just another backstage show-biz saga. Credit the book and lyrics by Tom Eyen and Henry Krieger’s score as well as the legacy of Bennett.

Powered by a star performance from Kecia Lewis, who has also appeared on Broadway in the same role, Robert Clater’s staging of “Dreamgirls” for Civic Light Opera of South Bay Cities, at Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, is almost up to Broadway standards.

OK, the revolving towers that entranced audiences in the original production are missing--but they’re not especially missed. They’ve become a scenic cliche since the original “Dreamgirls.” As the show’s soul singer James Thunder Early says of a fabricated fainting spell he uses to spice up his act, “too many other people are doing it.”

The movement of Clater’s choreography is dizzying enough without the set joining in. The entire ensemble is first-rate, and Jeff Rizzo’s musical direction keeps the show at full throttle.

Lewis is a magnificent Effie, the overweight diva with the huge voice who doesn’t enjoy singing backup. The other members of her group are equally well-delineated: glamorous Deena (Vanita Harbour)--who gets the star treatment--and sassy Lorrell (Tonya L. Dixon).

The men include Kingsley Leggs as the seductive snake of a manager, Billy Porter as the irresistibly frisky Early, Ron Kellum as Effie’s smooth-singing, songwriting brother, and Stevie Johnson as the nice guy who helps Effie make her comeback.

Musical theater in the South Bay has never sounded this funky.

* “Dreamgirls,” Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, 1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd. Tuesdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 7 p.m.; Saturdays-Sundays, 2 p.m. Ends June 25. $30-$45. (310) 372-4477. Running time: 2 hours, 50 minutes.

Kecia Lewis: Effie Melody White

Kingsley Leggs: Curtis Taylor Jr.

Vanita Harbour: Deena Jones

Billy Porter: James Thunder Early

Tonya L. Dixon: Lorrell Robinson

Ron Kellum: C.C. White

Christina Souza: Michelle Morris

Stevie Johnson: Marty

Marvin Thornton: Wayne/Dance Captain

Book and lyrics by Tom Eyen. Music by Henry Krieger. Directed and choreographed by Robert Clater, assisted by Lesia Kaye. Music director Jeff Rizzo. Costumes by Thomas Marquez. Lighting by Liz Stillwell. Sound by John Feinstein, based on the original design by Otts Munderloh. Hair/wigs/makeup by Deanne Johnson. Production stage manager Steven. R. Donner.