Sheryl Lee Ralph joined Jennifer Hudson or a bit of nostalgia as she reflected on her turn in the original 1981 Broadway production of Dreamgirls.
for a bit of nostalgia as she reflected on her turn in the original 1981 Broadway production ofHudson, of course, is more than familiar with the show, having starred in the 2006 film adaptation and winning a Best Supporting Actress Academy Award for her work.
When it was finally time for her to audition, Ralph said she was instructed to sing something from church. “So, I sang ‘Ave Maria’ — they were very quiet,” she cracked. “I think they were thinking something more in the Baptist vein, and they did not know that I was a little Episcopalian girl.” After her audition, Ralph said she waited around for several hours until, finally, the show’s creative team came by to announce their decision. After the first two names were called, Ralph says she was literally getting ready to leave when she heard her name next.