The award-winning musical Dreamgirls comes to City Hall Theatre next month, a showcase of local talent in a production known for its dramatic roles and showstopping score.

Certain to liven the stage in this cast of Bermudian entertainers is Cindy Smith. A newcomer to the island's theatre scene, she will play Effie, a powerhouse of a singer previously portrayed by Tony Award winner Jennifer Holliday in the musical's Broadway production and Oscar recipient Jennifer Hudson in the film version.

"I will give it my best but it is daunting," Ms Smith said of the expectations people might have of the part.

"I'm performing a role played by Jennifer Hudson and Jennifer Holliday ¿ they have beautiful voices ¿ but it would be wrong for the audience to expect me to sound exactly like them." This, from someone gospel singer Dainavon Tuzo refers to as his "power alto" because of her vocal contribution to the CD he released in June with his group, the Purpose Project.

Ms Smith began singing at the age of three. She has performed in various church choirs across the island and is today a member of the Praise Team and the New Season choirs, both of which are affiliated with the New Testament Church of God Healing Centre.

Last October she turned to one of the island's most noted sopranos, Marcelle Clements, for voice lessons. But even with her many years of experience, it was only at the insistence of a friend she decided to tackle the role of Effie.

"Nobody really knows I sing," she confessed. "I try not to do solos. I literally have to be forced to sing a solo. I prefer to stay in the background."

In that way, Ms Smith said, she is completely unlike the character she will play for ten days next month.

"There's a vast difference between Effie and I. Effie doesn't do background. I do."

Dreamgirls opened as a Broadway musical in 1981, based upon the aspirations of R&B performers such as The Supremes, the Shirelles, James Brown and others. In 1982, it won six Tony Awards and closed in 1985.

Adapted as a motion picture, it opened in 2006 featuring ¿ in addition to Ms Hudson ¿ Eddie Murphy, Beyoncé Knowles, Jamie Foxx, Danny Glover and, in a smaller role, Bermuda's own Daren Herbert.

Explained Ms Smith: "The play is basically about three young ladies who go to the Apollo to win a competition and their manager fixes it so they sing behind an established singer. It shows the rise and fall of the music business.

"I was given the information about the (pending Gilbert & Sullivan performance) by a friend of mine, Khalilah Smith who (was later cast as) Lorrell. She told me I needed to try out and so I took that leap of faith and we went and tried out together."

Called upon to sing solo before strangers, Ms Smith said she was initially very timid in her audition. Equally worrying to her was the knowledge that she'd be called upon to act.

"My last play was in high school at Berkeley, A Raisin in the Sun," she said in explaining her early nervousness. "So this is very huge for me. Acting is hard."

Veteran actor and show producer Denise Whitter has offered invaluable assistance, Ms Smith added.

"It has been a challenge, the acting particularly, but I am working through it. Denise was a lot of help ¿ I call her my mentor, my teacher. And Khalilah studied this in college so she's been there helping me as well. But I've watched the movie over and over again and I'm constantly talking with (director) Keith (Lee Grant), asking him how I'm doing." As for the song most often linked to Dreamgirls, And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going, Ms Smith said capturing the sentiment behind it presented her with a challenge.

"Effie and I both have the same attitude. Her personality at times resembles mine. She's very straightforward and can be very abrupt and I can be like that at times. But, I've never had that experience of a man leaving me, of begging someone to stay with me. So I didn't know what kind of emotion to put into it."

That mastered, it's Ms Smith's hope that with all the effort that's gone into the making of the production, residents will turn out in support of it.

"There are all Bermudians in this play. The ensemble is fabulous. The band is awesome. And it will definitely be an experience to see the contrast between the movie and the stage production. Everyone should take the opportunity to support Gilbert & Sullivan, the actors and the musicians and everyone involved ¿ we've all put in so much time rehearsing. It's going to be great."

Dreamgirls will run at 8 p.m. at City Hall Theatre October 10 - 20. Matinee performances are scheduled for 3 p.m. on Saturday, October 13 and Saturday, October 20. The production is suitable for teenagers and adults. Tickets, $40, are available at City Hall box office between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. and one hour before performance. Tickets are also available online, www.bermudamusicaltheatre.com, when the box office is closed. For more information, visit the web site or telephone 292-2313 during box office hours.