Cameal Davis - Contributed

Digicel Rising Stars 2008 winner Cameal Davis will be living the dream as she moves from the singing stage to her first acting performance in a local rendition of the popular film 'Dreamgirls'.

The film which starred Beyonce, Jennifer Hudson and Jamie Foxx, was a box office success in 2007 that spawned some popular hits and was loosely based on the success of R&B acts such as The Supremes, The Shirelles and James Brown.

Dreamgirls follows the story of a young female singing trio called 'The Dreams', who became music superstars. In the summer production of the film, presented by the Jamaica Musical Theatre Company (JMTC) at the Philip Sherlock Centre at the University of the West Indies, Mona, Davis will be playing Hudson's role as 'Effe'.

It is fitting for Davis to play the role, after reaching her popularity in the Rising Stars competition by covering Hudson's Spotlight song.

male-dominated industry

According to Dreamgirls co-producer Nadean Rawlins, Davis was chosen for her voice and because she believes that Davis reflects Effe's story of a young girl facing the challenges of her community in a male-dominated industry. She said, "I saw her practising for the part and she just gave me goose bumps, she is such an incredible singer, she's a belter really, she belts and you can hear her for miles away."

When THE STAR spoke to Davis, she admitted to having an interest in theatre since school days where she participated in plays for Father HoLung and Friends.

She said, "I feel so good, I was so excited and when a friend told me about the part, I auditioned and they were pleased wid it. So far I'm not nervous but excited, because at rehearsals you have to give a hundred per cent so you get the chance to get comfortable with the role." In the future Davis says she hopes to continue acting as well as singing.

The popular musical will open Thursday July 9 at the Philip Sherlock Centre and will run for three weekends.

Dreamgirls will also feature recording artiste Aisha Davis alternating in the role of 'Deena' and OJ Deru alternating in the role of 'Jimmy', along with the talented JMTC ensemble. Rawlins predicts that the show will get a good review and that Davis will also be attracting a number of fans.

Outside of the theatre, Davis has been busy with the release of her first collaboration Yes We Can alongside Assassin and will be releasing her next single Hurt Me More.

Fans will also be seeing Davis on this season's Digicel Rising Stars where she will be making some appearances as well as on Reggae Sumfest and the Portland Jerk Festival.

"I just can't believe I will be on Sumfest with big stars, I am so excited" she said.