Private Perfection

The lost art of fun is rediscovered at Main Street Theater

Comments (0) By D.L. Groover Thursday, Jul 20 2006

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Jim Caldwell

Private Lives tells the story of trysting exes (David Downing and Doris Davis) and their horrified spouses (Rebecca Bivens and Fritz Dickmann).

Details

Private Lives: Through July 30. $25-$35.
Dreamgirls: Through July 29. $18-$23.

Private Lives: Main Street Theater, 2540 Times Boulevard, 713-524-6706.
Dreamgirls: Country Playhouse, 12802 Queensbury, 713-467-4497.

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Love affairs complicate the story, as does songwriter C.C. (Cameron Ross), who has his own idea about what the group's sound should be. Running parallel to the girls' rise is the intertwining story of James Thunder Early (Delius Doherty), whose style grows passé as the smoother Motown sound replaces his edgy R&B. Doherty is a powerhouse and stops the show more than once with his soulful renditions and gymnastic dance routines, as does Siler in her stratospheric gospel wailing of the anthem "And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going," as well as the equally powerful "I Am Changing."

As the Dreams sing in their provocative title song, "Dreamgirls...will always be with you." So, too, will memories of Country Playhouse's signature production of this Broadway classic.