On December 20, 1981, the musical Dreamgirls premiered at Broadway’s Imperial Theatre. The production ran for over three years, totaling 1,521 performances before closing on August 11, 1985. The original cast featured Jennifer Holliday as Effie Melody White, whose powerful performance earned her a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. ?Fine Arts Building

In addition to Dreamgirls, another significant Black musical of the 1980s was The Gospel at Colonus, which premiered in 1983. This innovative adaptation of Sophocles’ Oedipus at Colonus reimagined the Greek tragedy within the framework of a Black Pentecostal church service, blending classical themes with gospel music.?Wikipedia

These productions highlight the rich contributions of Black artists to Broadway during the 1980s, showcasing diverse stories and musical styles that have left a lasting impact on American theater.