Jasmin Richardson and Joey Elrose Star in MEMPHIS U.S. National Tour, Launching Today in Appleton, WI

MEMPHIS, the 2010 Tony Winning Best Musical is preparing to launch the national tour in Appleton, WI at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center tonight, October 15th. MEMPHIS is in Boise, ID for technical rehearsal at the Morrison Center with three performances beginning October 9th - 11th.

The national tour will star Joey Elrose (Huey) and Jasmin Richardson (Felicia) with RaMond Thomas (Delray), D. Scott Withers (Mr Simmons), Avionce Hoyles (Gator), Jerrial T. Young (Bobby) and Pat Sibley (Mama).

The company will also include Keely Beirne, Oyoyo Joi Bonner, Taylor Broadard, Sidney DuPont, Kenny Francouer, Laurie Elizabeth Gardner, Daniel S.Hines, Kyshawn K. Lane, JT McKenzie, Kaitlin Niewoehner, Jonathan Ragsdale, Jonas Shumpert, Eddie Urish, Erika Conaway and Jose Gonzalez.

Critically acclaimed MEMPHIS won four 2010 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Original Score (David Bryan and Joe DiPietro); four Drama Desk Awards including Outstanding Musical, Outstanding Music (David Bryan) and four Outer Critic Circle Awards including Outstanding Musical, Outstanding Score (David Bryan & Joe DiPietro) and Outstanding Choreography (Sergio Trujillo).

MEMPHIS takes place in the smoky halls and underground clubs of the segregated 50's, where a young white DJ named Huey Calhoun fell in love with everything he shouldn't: rock and roll and an electrifying black singer. MEMPHIS is an original story about the cultural revolution that erupted when his vision met her voice, and the music changed forever. Come along on their incredible journey to the ends of the airwaves -- filled with laughter, vibrant choreography and roof-raising rock 'n' roll.

Adam Arian will re-create the original direction by Tony nominee Christopher Ashley (Xanadu), Jermaine Rembert will re-create the original choreography by Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys).

The show features a Tony winning score with music by Bon Jovi's founding member and keyboardist David Bryan and lyrics by Bryan and Joe DiPietro (I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change), who also pens the musical's book. Bryan and DiPietro also collaborated on the award-winning off-Broadway hit, The Toxic Avenger. MEMPHIS is based on a concept by the late George W. George(producer of the Tony nominated Bedroom Farce and the film My Dinner with Andre).

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 Design is by Shannon Slaton.

NETworks Presentations, LLC (Producer). Founded in 1995 by Kenneth Gentry, Seth Wenig and Scott W. Jackson, NETworks has produced and managed over 55 national and international touring productions. Previous productions: Little Women starring Maureen McGovern; Cinderella starring Eartha Kitt and Deborah Gibson; Fosse starring Ben Vereen and Ruthie Henshall; The Light in the Piazza; My Fair Lady co-produced with Cameron Mackintosh; Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma!; Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake; Annie; Hairspray; The Wizard of Oz, Young Frankenstein, Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific, La Cage aux Follesstarring George Hamilton and many others. Current Productions include Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Blue Man Group National Tour, Elf The Musical, Flashdance the Musical, The New 25th Anniversary Production of LES MISERABLES, Cameron Mackintosh's spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera, The National Theatre of Great Britain's production ofWar Horse and We Will Rock You, the musical by Queen and Ben Elton.

CAST BIOGRAPHIES:

Joey Elrose (Huey Calhoun) is a native New Yorker and is thrilled to be touring with the fantastical Memphis! Credits include: Rock of Ages (Nat'l Tour),Grease (Nat'l Tour), RENT (Welk Resort), Pajama Game (Starlight CLO), Babes in Toyland (Lincoln Center). BFA- Adelphi U. HOCKADOO!!!

JASMIN RICHARDSON (Felicia) is a graduate of Abilene Christian University where she received her B.F.A. in Musical Theater. National/ International tour credits: Dreamgirls (Deena Jones). Regional Credits: Dreamgirls (Michelle), Drowsy Chaperone (Trix). Cruise Lines: Disney, Norwegian and Celebrity Cruise Lines. Some of her theater credits include Aida (Aida), All Shook Up (Lorraine). Catch up with Jasmin on JasminRichardson.com

RaMOND THOMAS (Delray). Creative Cauldron: Thunder Knocking On The Door (Thunder), Keegan Theater: Working (Rex/Utkarsh) and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Mitch Mahoney), The InSeries Love Potion #1--L'Elisir D'Amore (The Jock), TheatreWorks Palo Alto Grey Gardens.(Brooks understudy).

D. Scott Withers (Mr. Simmons) is thrilled to travel the country with Memphis! National tours: Catch Me If You Can (Roger Strong). Recent regional: Gypsy (Herbie); Hairspray (Edna); Baby (Alan); Lyle the Crocodile (Victor P. Valenti). BFA - AZ State University.

AVIONCE HOYLES (Gator) is a Rock Hill, SC native and graduate of The American Musical & Dramatic Academy, NY. Avionce is thrilled to be a part of this incredible production! National Tour: Tyler Perry's The Haves and Have Nots (Wallie u/s), Pippi Longstocking (Larson). Regional: Rent (Angel), Tyler Perry Presents U Don't Know Me: The Musical (Brent), Songs For a New World (Man 1), Black Nativity (Reuel), Charlotte's Web (Wilbur).

JERRIAL T. YOUNG (Bobby) is ecstatic to be a part of the Memphis family!! Previous credits include: Off Broadway Joshua Benjamin, Dust and ShadowHusband. National Tours: Smokey Joes café Adrian, Go Diego Go Live! Rescue Pack. Regional: Ragtime Coalhouse Walker Jr. Children of Eden Father,Damn Yankees Applegate, Aint Misbehavin Ken, Parade Jim Conley, Guys and Dolls Nicely Nicely, Full Monty Horse. Follow @InDaHeightsFan

Pat Sibley (Mama). This is Pat's 9th year of touring having previously been seen as Frau Blucher in Young Frankenstein, The Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz, Mrs. Pugh in Annie and Aunt Eller in Oklahoma! Originally from Los Angeles, Pat now resides in Seattle.

KEELY BEIRNE (Ensemble) is thrilled to making her national tour debut as a recent graduate of Penn State University's B.F.A. Musical Theatre program! Recent Credits: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, 42nd Street, and Phantom at Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, Hairspray at Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, as well as numerous productions at Penn State. She also studied dance at Center Stage Dance & Theatre School in New Jersey. www.keelybeirne.com

Oyoyo Joi Bonner (Ensemble) is excited to be on her first National tour with this great musical! "What an amazing opportunity and experience this journey has become, I hope for many more like it!" Studied Music Dance Theatre at Brigham Young University, has enjoyed tours as a featured singer to Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden, and Cuba! Her most cherished roles are "Ti Moune" in Once On This Island, "Melpomene" in Xanadu, "Sarah" inRagtime, and Ensemble in Hairspray, Aladdin and White Christmas. "

TAYLOR BROADARD (Ensemble) is ecstatic to be going Underground in Memphis! Regional: Monty Python's Spamalot (Ensemble) B.F.A. Musical Theatre, Minor Dance from Pace University. Twitter/Instagram @TBroadard8

SIDNEY DuPONT (Ensemble) was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Some favorite credits (Natl' Tour) A Chorus Line; (Regional) Hairspray,Cabaret, and Songs for a New World.

Kenny Francoeur (Ensemble) is excited to join the cast of Memphis! Theatre- Hair (Berger), Gypsy (Tulsa), Titanic (Jim), Children of Eden (Japeth). BFA Elon University. www.kennyfrancoeur.com

LAURIE Elizabeth Gardner (Ensemble) thrilled to be on tour with Memphis! Recently seen creating title role in 50 Shades of Grey, Musical Parody(Ana Steele)! Cabaret (Sally), Marvelous Wonderettes (Suzy), Lend Me a Tenor (Maggie), Carousel (Carrie U/S, DC), Marriage of Figaro (Barbarina, Susanna U/S), Two Noble Kinsmen (Emilia). Graduated CCM. www.broadwaydemo.com/lauriegardner

DANIEL S. HINES (Ensemble) is stoked to join the NETworks team in bringing a little soul to your town. Ever the nomad, Daniel has been blessed to perform regionally from Florida to Alaska and everywhere in between. Favorite credits include Miss Saigon (Chris), HAIR (Claude), The Pillowman (Katurian),Carousel (Jigger), and Oklahoma! (Will Parker). www.danielshines.com

KYSHAWN K. LANE (Ensemble). From a kid singing with his karaoke to the big stage joining the Memphis family, Kyshawn can not be more excited. Past favorite credits include: Off Broadway: Songs for a New World. Regional: Hairspray (Papermill Playhouse, Coastal Arts) Joseph...;(Arizona Broadway Theatre) A Christmas Carol (McCarter Theater) Rent, All Shook up (Seacoast Rep). Commercial: Verizon, Wendys.

JT McKENZIE (Ensemble) is beyond excited and proud to be part of an amazing show and cast! Favorite credits: The Sizzlin' Sixties at The Fireside Theatre, 1776 and B Boy Blues.

KAITLIN NIEWOEHNER (Ensemble) is elated to join the ensemble of Memphis! She is a gymnast turned dancer with a BS in Architecture. National Tours:A Chorus Line (swing). Regional: Can-can (WBT, Ensemble), Hairspray (Amber), Spelling Bee (Olive). www.kaitlinniewoehner.com

JONATHAN RAGSDALE (Ensemble, u/s Huey). First National Tour! BA in Theatre & Dance from UNM. Favorite roles: PIPPIN (Pippin), Footloose (Ren),Hairspray (Link), Cats (Tugger/Skimble), RENT (Ensemble, Roger u/s). TV: "Breaking Bad", "In Plain Sight". Choreography: Legally Blonde, JC Superstar, Joseph...Dreamcoat, 101 Dalmatians, Godspell. Twitter/Instagram: @TheJRags, YouTube.com/ragsdalejt.

JONAS SHUMPERT (Ensemble) is excited to be joining the cast of Memphis. A Graduate of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in NYC. The Chicago-land native credits include International tour of Fame - The Musical, Walt Disney World's Festival of The Lion King, Dance Captain/Dancer for Royal Caribbean and Holland American Cruise lines. Follow @JonasShumpert

EDDIE URISH (Ensemble). Huck in Huckleberry Finn (Nat'l Tour), August: Osage County (The Fulton), Our Town (Steppenwolf), You Say Tomato...(Downstairs Cabaret)...Directed U.S. Premieres of Steve Schalchin's Amy & Steve (Off-Broadway) & Joe Brooks' Metropolis. Former CBS Morning Show Host... "Whit, Ellie, ILU!"

ERIKA CONAWAY (Swing/Dance Captain) is excited to be joining the Memphis Family! Tours: A Chorus Line (Judy Turner) Regional: Aida (Amneris),Anything Goes (Reno Sweeney), and Oklahoma! (Ado Annie).

Jose Gonzalez (Swing/Asst. Dance Captain) is very excited for his national tour debut! In 40 words: Oakland, CA -> NYC. Favorite credits - Spring Awakening (Ernst), A Chorus Line (Richie), Cats (Rum Tum Tugger u/s). Other credits - In The Heights, West Side Story, High School Musical 2, overseas with NICKELODEON.