DreamWorks Brings 'Dreamgirls' to Screen

GLENDALE, CA. (DreamWorks Pictures) - DreamWorks Pictures will bring the award-winning hit Broadway musical "Dreamgirls" to the big screen, it was announced by DreamWorks' head of production Adam Goodman. Academy Award-winning screenwriter Bill Condon has been set to direct the film from his own screenplay adaptation.

Condon, who won an Oscar for his screenplay for "God and Monsters," has also enjoyed success in adapting a stage musical for the screen, having earned an Oscar nomination for his screenplay for the Academy Award-winning Best Picture "Chicago." He most recently wrote and directed the critically acclaimed biopic "Kinsey." The film is being produced by Lawrence Mark, who earned an Oscar nomination for his work as a producer on "Jerry Maguire."

In making the announcement, Adam Goodman said, "'Dreamgirls' is a timeless musical with a story and music that has thrilled and entertained theatergoers around the world. With Bill Condon at the helm, I know it has all the ingredients to enthrall today's movie audiences."

DreamWorks principal David Geffen produced the original stage production of "Dreamgirls." The musical, which opened on Broadway in 1981 and ran for four years, earned numerous honors, including six Tony Awards and eight additional Tony nominations. It also catapulted cast members Jennifer Holliday, Sheryl Lee Ralph and Cleavon Derricks to stardom and spawned a chart-topping soundtrack.

The film version of "Dreamgirls" will retain the award-winning book and music of Tom Eyen and Henry Krieger respectively, including such unforgettable songs as "One Night Only" and "I'm Telling You I'm Not Going."

DreamWorks SKG was formed in October 1994 by its three principal partners-Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen. The studio is actively involved in the production of live-action motion pictures and network and cable television programs, and the distribution of both live-action and animated feature films, as well as home video entertainment.