On April 16, 2023, Sheryl Lee Ralph made a big history in her own right. As you can imagine, she was tickled to earn her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. This recognition celebrates not only her illustrious career but serves as a beacon for “every artist who has ever felt unseen, every woman who was told to wait her turn,” particularly highlighting Ralph’s experiences as a young performer in the original Broadway production of Dreamgirls.
Ralph recalled her younger self at 24, just starting out in this daunting field. This society has historically oppressed women and artists of color. Her career-defining performance in Dreamgirls won her a Tony Award nomination in 1982. This accomplishment ushered in the beginning of her remarkable career.
The original Broadway production of Dreamgirls shined like a diamond from December 1981 through August 1985. Ralph worked alongside brilliant performers such as Loretta Devine as Lorrell Robinson. The two women shared an apartment as they pursued their Broadway dreams. Their special connection didn’t come without its hiccups. As it turned out, according to Devine, those two dramatic arguments were the only ones the double-act had throughout the show’s entire run.
The first skirmish erupted after Devine began getting pounded in the top of the head by a flat. Ralph just wasn’t fast enough getting out on stage, and tempers came to a head. So Ralph decided to take it a step further and paint Devine’s dressing room “Pepto-Bismol pink.” This decision triggered a second fight because Devine didn’t like it.
“On top of that, they sent pictures of this beautiful dressing room with a sofa that was pink, and Sheryl was determined to upgrade,” – Loretta Devine
Both actresses faced the challenges of being in a body of work that often placed them on the back burner. Devine described feeling left out of promotion opportunities as opposed to the newer cast members.
“They had taken these new girls to L.A. here. They would not bring us,” – Loretta Devine
Besides the internal battles they were fighting, they had to deal with the weight of the intense change in the industry. Devine gorgeously evoked their fight as they moved through the theater’s bowels. As they walked by an enormous billboard featuring the new cast members in cosplay getups that left little to the imagination, it just drove them crazier.
“And on top of that, every night we had to go down to the basement, downstairs to the basement, cross the basement stairs, go back up the stairs to the stage, and they had put a huge poster of the new girls in these skimpy outfits on the door,” – Loretta Devine
While it’s true that Ralph faced these challenges during her success, her role in Dreamgirls ultimately opened doors for future waves of women in the industry.
“I walked this path with purpose because I know young people are watching and representation matters,” – Sheryl Lee Ralph
Ralph highlighted the significance of her personal journey and articulated her hope that younger generations come to realize the power of their potential.
“I felt that when I was 24 years old in Dreamgirls, and it’s because I want generations to see what’s possible. That their dreams are valid, that their voice is powerful and their potential limitless,” – Sheryl Lee Ralph
The Broadway musical Dreamgirls made it to the big screen in 2006. It starred an all-star cast, including Beyoncé as Deena Jones, Jennifer Hudson as Effie White and Anika Noni Rose as Lorrell Robinson. The award-winning film adaptation helped cement Dreamgirls stature and legacy, not just on the stage but on film.