We have our own Dutch Dreamgirls and Gitty Pregers is occasionally one of them. A role in the musical and understudy of Berget Lewis at the same time. She must be quite busy with that. We were curious and asked her some questions.

Tell us, understudy of Berget Lewis in Dreamgirls, how do you become that?

Very good question! In 2013 I saw that the musical was coming and I immediately said that I wanted to play in it. Then I auditioned at the end of 2013. Soon it became known that Berget would play the role of Effie, but I was lucky enough to be her understudy. In total, I auditioned in four rounds. When I heard that I could join, I definitely did a little happy dance.

You must have a few years of experience. What have you done?

From 2004 to 2006 I played in The Lion King in the Netherlands. That was such a fun production. Then I was asked to go to London for The Lion King on the West End and I performed there until 2008. After that, I mostly freelanced a lot. I am part of the girl group CPG and I performed a lot with them back then and still do. I also participated in a dinner show in Aruba for a year. And now Dreamgirls! I've known since I was young that I wanted to do something with musicals...

You are an understudy. What does that exactly mean? Do you still have to be available during the show?

Basically, it just means that I take over Berget's role if she is not there. I have a fixed place in the cast, so if she is there, I also play a small role. I'm always there for the fun.

Do you have to rehearse as often as Berget?

The first cast, those are the ones who play the lead roles including Berget, started rehearsing a week earlier. That way they could get used to each other a bit. We joined a week later. The understudies had separate rehearsals and otherwise, it's just very important to pay attention during Berget's rehearsals.

And what do you think of the dresses you get to wear in Dreamgirls?

Amazing! They are really diva dresses and it's very fun to wear them. At the beginning of the musical, they don't wear them yet, but they really grow into it. Especially the white sequin dress at the end is my favorite. I always get compliments about that.

What do you do besides being an ‘understudy'?

At the moment I really have no time to do anything besides Dreamgirls. It's a traveling production and I often have to drive myself. During the day I can't do crazy things because I need rest and so does my voice. It's vocally quite a heavy production, so it's important that I save my voice.

Friday marks the start of the weekend. Do you have to be available for the show or do you drink a glass of wine on the couch?

Very coincidentally, we are free today. Normally we just have to perform on Friday nights, but tonight we are going to cheer for Berget with the whole cast at the Ladies of Soul in the Ziggo Dome. Really looking forward to it!

Do you have exciting plans for Valentine's Day?

No, unfortunately. I just have to play Effie in Nijmegen on Saturday. So at that moment, Edwin Jonker is my Valentine.

Does Saturday look different than Sunday?

Yes, definitely. Sunday is always a real rest day in my mind. On Saturday you often go do fun things like shopping or going out to eat. But if I don't have to perform on Sunday, which isn't very often, that day is really a day where I do absolutely nothing. Wonderful.

What does your ideal weekend look like if you don't have to take anything into account and when money and time are no object?

I would go to Maastricht, for example. On Saturday I would go shopping and especially buy a lot of pairs of shoes. On Sunday, I would want to undergo every treatment that can be found in a spa.

What time does the alarm go off on Monday?

Normally, there is no alarm on Monday, because Monday in musical land means weekend. This coming Monday, I happen to have to perform, and then the alarm goes off around 12 o'clock. Then I check how I feel, and if not, I just turn over for a bit longer. It's that easy.

Dreamgirls can be seen from Monday, February 16 to Thursday, February 19 at Carré.