Dreamgirls - The Dreams and The Supremes

The Dreams and The Supremes

Michael Bennett, Henry Krieger, Tom Eyen, and the Dreamgirls producers deny any connections between the musical's plot and the Supremes' life stories, but the similarities between the show and true events that occurred with the Supremes lead to belief that the creators did actually base the musical on the Supremes; however denied any connections to avoid lawsuits from Motown, Berry Gordy, and the Supremes. Mary Wilson loved Dreamgirls so much that she named her first autobiography, Dreamgirl: My Life As a Supreme after the musical. Diana Ross performed "Family" from Act I in her historic free concert in New York City's Central Park, in July, 1983. Though the Deena character mirrors Diana Ross, Sheryl Lee Ralph states that she was not trying to imitate Ross, but, portrayed Deena in a similar, yet distinct, style.

Similarities between true life events and the musical's plot are as follows:

• Both the Supremes and the Dreams started off with "ettes" in their group's name. The Supremes were originally the Primettes, the Dreams were originally the Dreamettes.
• In the beginning, Florence Ballard originally sung leads just as Effie White did in the musical.
• Both the Supremes and the Dreams did background vocals for established recording artists before becoming famous.
• Diana Ross was chosen as the lead singer of the Supremes because of her distinctive softer commercial voice just as Deena Jones was chosen the lead singer of the Dreams.
• The storyline of the love affair between Deena Jones and Curtis Taylor Jr. was modeled on Diana Ross and Berry Gordy Jr.'s love affair which eventually led to his emphasis on her career rather than the group's.
• The storyline of Lorrell Robinson and James Thunder Early's relationship resembles Mary Wilson's relationships with fellow Motown artists as well as Welsh singer Tom Jones.
• Both Diana Ross and Deena Jones were coached to be the spokesperson for their groups during press conferences.
• The press was instructed to refer to Diana Ross as "Miss Ross" just as Deena Jones was instructed to be referred to as "Miss Jones."
• As Diana Ross was pushed forward as the star of the Supremes, Florence Ballard became jealous and hostile when she was forced into the background. Effie White reacted in a similar manner when Deena Jones was pushed forward as the star of the Dreams.
• Both Florence Ballard and Effie White were fired from their groups because they missed performances, recording sessions, allegedly "faked" illnesses, and for gaining weight.
• Florence Ballard was fired in Las Vegas in 1967 just as Effie White was in the musical.
• Cindy Birdsong went on to perform with the Supremes the same night Florence Ballard was fired just as Michelle Morris went on to perform with the Dreams the same night Effie White was fired.
• The Supremes became "Diana Ross & the Supremes" in 1967 while in Las Vegas. The Dreams became "Deena Jones & the Dreams" in 1967 while in Las Vegas.
• Curtis Taylor Jr.'s push for Deena Jones to pursue a film career closely resembles Berry Gordy's involvement in Diana Ross' film career with Lady Sings the Blues and Mahogany.
• Both Florence Ballard and Effie White ended up living on welfare after being fired from their groups.