Photo: BANG Showbiz - BANG Showbiz. All rights reserved.

Amber Riley to star in Dreamgirls

Amber Riley is to make her stage debut in a production of 'Dreamgirls' on London's West End.

The former 'Glee' actress won the central role of Effie after wowing director Casey Nicholaw and reducing producer Sonia Friedman to tears with her rendition of 'And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going'.

Sonia told the Daily Mail newspaper: "I was crying, because I was overwhelmed by the emotion and passion she put into the number.

"And also crying with utter excitement and pure joy, relief and happiness that this girl was going to be able to give this performance in the UK. Her voice is a gift from God!"

Amber - who previously performed the song during the first season of 'Glee' - is thrilled to have landed the prestigiou role.

The 29-year-old star said in a statement: "I am so honoured and excited to not only be playing such an iconic role, but also to be working with Sonia Friedman and Casey Nicholaw. Working on the West End is now a dream realized, I just feel like this is going to be something special!"

'Dreamgirls' will begin previews at the Savoy Theatre in November, and will officially open the following month.

Casting on the production is currently being done.

The musical is set in 1960s Detroit and charts the rise of girl group the Dreams. It is loosely based on the Supremes and Diana Ross' affair with music executive Berry Gordy.

It was first run on New York's Broadway in 1981 and a movie was made in 2006, starring Beyonce and Jennifer Hudson.