Dreamgirls' Amber Riley diagnosed with pneumonia - Marisha Wallace alternates role

Producers of Dreamgirls at the Savoy Theatre have released a statement regarding the health of leading lady Amber Riley who stars as Effie White in the London premiere. Released on their Twitter page, the statement reads:

"Several of the cast members of Dreamgirls have been ill over the holiday season, including Amber Riley who was diagnosed with pneumonia. The company has been working with doctors to ensure that they all recover as quickly as possible, taking every precaution that they do not come back too quickly and become ill again. Fortuntaley, Amber is in the final stages of recovery and is expected to return to the show in the next few days."

Riley reportedly was replaced at the interval during a show before Christmas and has been on vocal rest ever since. Broadway star Marisha Wallace has officially joined the West End company making her West End debut direct from Broadway where she has recently worked with the show's director and choreographer Casey Nicholaw on his productions of Something Rotten! (Eggie White/ Bea understudy), Disney's Aladdin (Fortune Teller/Attendant/Babkak understudy) and the first national tour of The Book of Mormon. She recently played the role of Effie White at Dallas Theater Center in Texas. She joins Karen Mav who also plays alternate Effie White.

Wallace joins a company which also includes Tyrone Huntley as C.C White, Adam J Bernard as Jimmy, Nicholas Bailey as Marty, Joe Aaron Reid as Curtis Taylor Jnr, Liisi LaFontaine as Deena, Ibinabo Jack as Lorrell and Lily Frazer as Michelle Morris.

Read our Five Star review of Dreamgirls.

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