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London's ‘Dreamgirls,' With ‘Glee' Star Amber Riley, Is Headed for Broadway

The London revival of Henry Krieger and Tom Eyen's hit musical "Dreamgirls" is heading to Broadway, multiple outlets report.

The production is lead by "Glee" and NBC's "The Wiz Live!" actress Amber Riley, who stars as Effie White -- the role originated by Tony winner Jennifer Holliday in the 1981 original production and Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson in its 2006 film adaptation.

Elements from both of those versions are incorporated into the revival, which opened Dec. 14 at the Savoy Theatre to rave reviews. That includes "Listen," the Oscar-nominated song written for the film (It was sung there by Beyoncé's character Deanna Jones, though it's now a duet between her and Effie White on stage).

Direction comes from Tony winner Casey Nicholaw ("The Book of Mormon," "Aladdin").

News of the transfer, scheduled to land on Broadway next season, was first reported by the New York Post. John Breglio -- owner of the rights to the estate of original "Dreamgirls" director-choreographer Michael Bennett -- confirmed reports to Playbill.com, saying producer Sonia Friedman intends to bring the production to Broadway.

"Dreamgirls" follows a fictional young female singing trio in the 1960s called The Dreams who become music superstars -- though the fame takes an extreme toll on their friendship. The musical takes strong inspiration from the history of Motown and acts like The Supremes.

The show won six Tonys during it's original run, which ended in 1985. A national tour ended with a Broadway revival at the Ambassador Theatre in June 1987, led by Lillias White, Holliday's original understudy, as Effie. The run wrapped in Nov. 1987 -- four months after Bennett died of AIDS-related complications.

It has only returned to Broadway once since, fittingly for a 2001 "One Night Only" concert.

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