Memphis announces cast, musical to star Chad Kimball and Montego Glover

The full cast has been announced for the Broadway show Memphis, a new musical about the birth of rock 'n' roll in the turbulent 50's which recently played a critically acclaimed and sold-out engagement at Seattle�s 5th Avenue Theatre.

The show opens at Broadway's Shubert Theatre on 19 Oct 2009, following previews from 23 Sep 2009, and is selling tickets throuh to 4 Jul 2010

Memphis will star Chad Kimball (Huey Calhoun) and Montego Glover (Felicia Farrell) with Derrick Baskin (Gator), J. Bernard Calloway (Delray Jones), James Monroe Iglehart (Bobby), Tony nominee Michael McGrath (Mr. Simmons) and Cass Morgan (Gladys Calhoun).

The company will also includes Jennifer Allen, Brad Bass, Tracee Beazer, Kevin Covert, Hillary Elk, Dionne Figgins, Rhett George, John Jellison, Sydney Morton, Vivian Nixon, John Eric Parker, Jermaine R. Rembert, LaQuet Sharnell, Ephraim Sykes, Cary Tedder, Danny Tidwell, Daniel J. Watts, Katie Webber, Charlie Williams and Danyelle Williamson.

Based on a concept by George W. George (producer of the Tony nominated 'Bedroom Farce' & film: 'My Dinner With Andre'), Memphis features a book & lyrics by Joe DiPietro ('I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change'), and music & lyrics by Bon Jovi founding member David Bryan, in his Broadway debut. The new musical is directed by Tony nominee Christopher Ashley ('Xanadu') and choreographed by Sergio Trujillo ('Jersey Boys' & 'Guys and Dolls').

Featuring an original score with gospel, rhythm & blues, and early rock 'n' roll fused with Byran�s own contemporary sensibility, Memphis follows the fictionalized life story of young, white radio disc jockey Huey Calhoon growing up in Memphis, Tennessee in the 1950�s. An unlikely hero with a great love of the music he hears in the black bars on Beale Street, Huey�s on-air antics and unstoppable enthusiasm for "race records" creates a new white audience for African-American music. His personal life transcends the race line as well, when he falls in love with a beautiful black singer - with dramatic consequences.

Memphis played a limited, sold-out engagement at La Jolla Playhouse from 19 Aug � 28 Sep 2008 and received San Diego�s Craig Noel Awards for Excellence in Theatre for both Outstanding New Musical of 2008 and for its star Chad Kimball, in the role of DJ Huey Calhoun.

The show then went on to another critically acclaimed engagement at Seattle�s 5th Avenue Theatre from 27 Jan - 15 Feb 2009. This production was co-produced by La Jolla Playhouse (Christopher Ashley, Artistic Director) and 5th Avenue Theatre, Seattle, WA, (David Armstrong, Producing Artistic Director/ Marilynn Sheldon, Managing Director).

Scenic Design for Memphis is by Tony Award winner David Gallo ('The Drowsy Chaperone,' 'reasons to Be pretty'), Costume Design is by Tony nominee Paul Tazewell ('In The Heights'),lighting design is by Tony Award winner Howell Binkley ('Jersey Boys') and sound by Ken Travis (The Threepenny Opera).

Memphis will be produced on Broadway by Junkyard Dog Productions, Barbara and Buddy Freitag and Kenny and Marleen Alhadeff with Latitude Link, Demos Bizar Entertainment, Dancap USA Productions, Jim and Susan Blair, Lauren Doll and Tony Ponturo in association with Patty Baker.

Chad Kimball (Huey Calhoun) originated the role of 'Huey Calhoun' in Memphis at the La Jolla Playhouse garnering the San Diego Critics Circle Award for Best Leading Male Performance in a Musical. Later he reprised the role in his hometown of Seattle at the 5th Avenue Theatre. Kimball was seen on Broadway as 'John Lennon' in 'Lennon' at the Broadhurst Theatre. He donned the Guise of 'Milky-White' in the Broadway revival of 'Into the Woods' with Vanessa Williams. Other Broadway appearances include 'The Civil War' and 'Good Vibrations.'

Montego Glover (Felicia Farrell) made her Broadway debut in the roles of 'Celie' and 'Nettie' in 'The Color Purple.'

Derrick Baskin (Gator) is reprising the role of 'Gator,'� which he originated at North Shore Music Theater and Theatreworks in Palo Alto. He originated the role of (Jetsam) in Disney's 'The Little Mermaid,' in which he still stars (Jetsam). Baskin also origined the role of 'Mitch Mahoney' in 'Spelling Bee'.

J. Bernard Calloway (Delray Jones) is making his Broadway debut in Memphis. Calloway has been with the musical since its conception. He was most recently seen as 'Henry' in The Public Theatre's award winning off-Broadway hit 'The Good Negro.'

James Monroe Iglehart (Bobby), who has been with this production since 2004, is making his debut. Iglehart recently played 'the Lion' in theNew York City Center Summer Encores production of 'Wiz.'

Michael Mcgrath (Mr. Simmons) was nominated for a Tony Award for his portrayal of 'Patsy' in 'Spamalot.' Other Broadway credits include 'Is He Dead?,' 'Wonderful Town,' 'Little Me,' 'Swinging on a Star' and 'My Favorite Year.'

Cass Morgan (Gladys Calhoun) originated the role of 'Birdwoman' in 'Mary Poppins.' Other Broadway credits include 'Ring of Fire,' 'The Capeman,' 'Beauty and the Beast,' 'The Human Comedy' and 'Pump Boys and Dinettes.'