Memphis celebrates two years on Broadway

The 2010 Tony winning Best Musical Memphis celebrates its second year on Broadway on 19 Oct 2011. The musical opened at Broadway's Shubert Theatre on 19 Oct 2009, following previews from 23 Sep 2009, where it is currently booking through to 29 Jul 2012

Producer Sue Frost said, "We are delighted to celebrate Memphis' second anniversary on Broadway. This show continues to enchant Broadway audiences nightly, and is now connecting with audiences across the country. We could not be more grateful to our hardworking and dedicated cast and crew. With the commitment that the Memphis family brings to work every day, we hope to continue to celebrate anniversaries for years to come."

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.

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.

The cast currently features Chad Kimball (Huey Calhoun) and Montego Glover (Felicia Farrell) - who were both nominated for Tony Awards - as well as Derrick Baskin (Gator), J. Bernard Calloway (Delray Jones), James Monroe Iglehart (Bobby), John Jellison (Mr. Simmons) and Opel (Mamma).

As previously reported Tony nominee Adam Pascal (Rent) will join the cast on 25 Oct 2011, assuming the role of 'Huey Calhoun' from original cast member Chad Kimball who plays hi final performance on 23 Oct 2011.

The new musical is directed by Tony nominee Christopher Ashley ('Xanadu') and choreographed by Sergio Trujillo ('Jersey Boys' & 'Guys and Dolls').

The musical opened to mostly excellent reviews: It's entertaining. (NY Daily News); A zippy, exuberant musical (NY Post); Triumphant (Bloomberg); Entertaining but synthetic (variety).

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).

The musical won four 2010 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Original Score (David Bryan and Joe DiPietro), Best Book (Joe DiPietro), and Best Orchestrations (David Bryan and Daryl Waters).

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.

Memphis is 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.