Sound Off

Given the title, it’s no surprise that the men who appear in the musical “Dreamgirls’’ never quite get the spotlight they deserve. In the top-notch touring production currently dazzling audiences at the Colonial Theatre through Sunday, the women are indeed superb in the big show-stopping numbers like “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going.’’ But the male cast members - from the fleet-footed ensemble to featured players Chester Gregory and Chaz Lamar Shepherd - definitely deserve kudos. Gregory in particular, in the flashy role of the Jackie Wilson-esque R&B star James “Thunder’’ Early, is effortlessly funky. Gregory is a true triple threat, impressing with the loose-limbed elegance of his dancing, the pathos and humor of his acting, and an impressive vocal range that shifts from low growls to Prince-ly falsetto shrieks with ease. Unsurprisingly, the native of Gary, Ind., who previously appeared on Broadway in “Hairspray,’’ is also a recording artist. His album “In Search of High Love’’ further reveals his gifts as a performer since its varied, contemporary sounds - think Usher with a more neo-soul bent - are significantly different from what he does in the show. (The album isn’t perfect, but we’re loving the effective deployment of a sample of the smooth and smoky Kenny Loggins/Michael McDonald yacht-rock classic “This Is It’’ on a song called “Say It’s Over.’’) Gregory is a nice reminder that true cross-format entertainers - ones who excel on screen, stage, and in the studio - still exist.