The Arvada Center Opens 38th Season with MEMPHIS Tonight

The Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities will open its 38th theater season with the musical Memphis directed by Rod A. Lansberry, tonight, September 9. Memphis is written by Joe DiPietro (I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change and All Shook Up) and features music and lyrics by Bon Jovi keyboardist David Bryan Performances are Tuesday - Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday at 1 p.m., Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m., through September 28.

Preview performances are September 5, 6 and 7 at 7:30 p.m. Insider talkbacks with cast members are offered on Friday, September 19 after the 7:30 p.m. performance and Wednesday, September 24 after the 1:00 p.m. performance. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to https://arvadacenter.org/on-stage/memphis-2014 or call 720-898-7200.

Set during the early days of rock and roll and the underground dance clubs of the 1950s, Memphis is an exhilarating tale of love and fame filled with high-energy music and explosive dancing. Inspired by actual events, Memphis is about a Huey Calhoun, a white radio DJ, who wants to change the world and Felicia, a black club singer who is ready for her big break. Come along on their incredible journey to the ends of the airwaves - filled with laughter, soaring emotion and roof-raising rock 'n' roll! Memphis is winner of four 2010 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Book and Best Original Score.

In addition to director Rod Lansberry, the creative team includes David Nehls (musical director), Kitty Skillman Hilsabeck (choreographer), Brian Mallgrave (scene design), Christine Campbell (costume design), David Thomas (sound design) and Shannon McKinney (light design). The Arvada Center artistic producer is Rod A. Lansberry.

The principal cast features Jim Hogan (Huey), Aisha Jackson (Felicia), Keith Hatten (Delray), Robert Michael Sanders (Mr. Simmons), Vincent Smith (Gator), Melissa Swift-Sawyer (Gladys) and Mathenee Treco (Bobby).

The remaining cast includes Ben Delony, Summer Dion, Sidney DuPont, Christopher Frazier, Kitty Hilsabeck, Olivia James, Noah Lee Jordan, Matt LaFontaine, Emma C. Martin, Jeffrey Roark, Andrew Russell, Johnny Stewart, Seles VanHuss, Krisangela Washington, Jason Williams and Erin Willis.

About the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities: Since its opening in July 1976, the award-winning Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities has grown to become one of the nation's largest multidisciplinary arts centers, devoted to all aspects of the arts and generously supported in part by the City of Arvada, the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) and Colorado Creative Industries. The Arvada Center is located at 6901 Wadsworth Blvd. and provides free parking for all its patrons. For more information go to www.arvadacenter.org or call 720-898-7200.