Sheryl Lee Ralph in Dreamgirls

[Morales2]

Posted: 3/27/18 at 3:07pm

I was able to find out that Jennifer Holiday's last performance in Dreamgirls was on 12/4/82.  I have looked all over to see when Sheryl Lee Ralph's last performance was and I can't find this information anywhere.  I once saw in an interview that she said she did over 1000 performances but I can't find the exact date.  Does anyone know the day of her last performance in the original production of Dreamgirls?

[Unknown User]

Posted: 3/27/18 at 4:58pm

She is all over Instagram ... try messaging her! She’s super nice

[uncageg]

Posted: 3/27/18 at 5:03pm

I saw Dreamgirls the day after Holiday left. I swear it was a Saturday matinee. I could be wrong. It was a long time ago. But I seem to remember hearing that Friday night would be her last show.

[ggersten]

Posted: 3/27/18 at 5:31pm

All I know is that I saw the show in June 1983.  I have no Playbill and no idea who was in the cast  It was my first trip to Broadway and I also saw 42d Street and Nine.  

[Malinda5000]

Posted: 3/27/18 at 7:19pm

She actually left the show twice.     The first time she left was for about three months due to her eating disorder in early 1983.  Phylicia Ayers-Allen (Now Phylicia Rashad) who was the original understudy for Deena stepped in the role and also Ms. Ethel Beatty went on for Sheryl as well   Ms. Linda Leilani Brown started to go on as Deena in late 1982.  Michael Bennett was sort of trying her out because the word was she was going to be doing the tour in L.A.   Ms .Ralph returned in the summer of 83 only to leave for good in March of 1984.  The role did not go to Phylicia as everyone thought so Phylicia left the show in a huff soon after...But she was okay because as every one knows she went on and became a household name doing The Cosby Show.  Anyway  Ms. Linda Leilani Brown ended up doing the role on broadway because by this time the tour shut down.      My mom worked this show for its entire run.  She (my Mom) was a dress matron backstage.

[Morales2]

Posted: 3/28/18 at 2:29pm

Thank you very much for the information Malinda5000.  Much appreciated.