BWW Interviews: Toronto's Sergio Trujillo Comes Home for Memphis

The 2010 Tony Award Winner for Best Musical dances into Toronto this week where it will play until Christmas at The Toronto Centre for the Arts.  Featuring original Broadway cast members Bryan Fenkart and Felicia Boswell, the show opened in Memphis, TN to rave reviews and will have its Toronto opening on December 7^th.  Aubrey Dan, President of Dancap Productions said “We have been a huge supporter of the Tony-winning Memphis since day one.  I have always believed that love is the great equalizer, and at the heart of Memphis, amidst all the spectacular singing and dancing, is the universal story that love conquers all.”

Memphis tells the story of a young white DJ named Huey Calhoun living in 1950s Memphis, who falls in love with all the wrong things (such as rock and roll and an African American singer).  It is a collaboration between many of Broadway and the music world’s most talented people, with a Tony winning score by David Bryan, book by Bryan and Joe DiPietro  and choreography by Torontonian Sergio Trujillo.  Mr. Trujillo is responsible for the choreography in some of the biggest hit shows of the last few years, including Jersey Boys and Next to Normal.  He is returning to his hometown of Toronto for the show’s opening night, and spoke to BWW about what makes Memphis so special, how he balances so many incredible projects and what he thinks about the future of musical theatre in Toronto:

First off, congratulations on the success Memphis is having on the road! Have you been to any of the other touring cities to see the production?

Yeah, I was in Memphis because we made some adjustments to the set and the show for touring purposes so it was imperative that I travel and take care of everything.  I usually do that with all my shows and I like to be there at the beginning of the show and until it opens in its first city. 

Did you notice a distinguishable difference in the audience reaction on tour versus on Broadway?

We were lucky to open in Memphis, TN and it was quite magical when we opened there.  The reaction that we got there was just unbelievable.  We get that in New York but in terms of touring it was a special and a perfect place for us to go.

Do you see Toronto audiences embracing the show the same way it has been embraced in the US?

The show is very entertaining.  The music is wonderful and the choreography is exciting. The performances from Bryan and Felicia are stellar and in terms of the show it’s an interesting one with universal themes.  Just because we aren’t in 1950 doesn’t mean that those issues such as racism and discrimination are no longer relevant.  It is because they are still so relevant that this show resonates so well with audiences.

Is it true that you got some of your inspiration for the choreography after seeing children jumping rope in Harlem?

Only for one song, but it did help me.  There was an instance in the script for a number called Radio where it simply said “dance” and gave no additional direction.  I needed inspiration to help with the story-telling aspect of the number and seeing the children jumping rope was how I found my way into that song.

You certainly keep busy! How do you find a balance between all the shows and ensure that the quality of each of them remains intact?

Time management and discipline are very important, as is having a team of associates who can carry out your work with the same level of integrity as I would expect from myself.  I think we are all multi-taskers at heart and how well you do it and how well you can compartmentalize your focus is really important.  I went to University of Toronto to study biochemistry and while I was doing that I was studying dance, so I learned very early on that I needed to throw everything into compartments in order to be successful at everything that I was doing.

This past summer you were quoted saying that you hoped to bring a new production of Flashdance to Toronto featuring a Canadian cast.  Is that something that is still on the table?

I hope so! It is my hope that it will happen and we will know more very soon.  I’m in the process of working with my authors and writers and producers on that project and I would love to open it in Toronto.  First I have to do the work, and then we can decide where it will go.  But I’m very excited about the project.

Speaking of opening a show in Toronto, what are your thoughts on the current state of musical theatre in Toronto? We’ve seen a fairly steady decline in the number of sit-down Canadian productions in the last few years – do you think it’s something that can be turned around?

The decline in Canadian productions pains me a great deal! It really is a sensitive subject for me because Toronto was thriving once upon a time, we had so many shows and sit-down companies and now there is very little happening there.  There is all this talent that is almost going to waste and it pains me.  I know economically everyone is suffering everywhere, but I think arts have a huge way of helping people during tough times.  Entertainment is so important when the economy is bad and it is a great therapy, and I wish that people would take it upon themselves to go to the theatre and support the arts. I think perhaps in Toronto there is just a lack of support – at least from afar, that is what it looks like is happening. 

Thank God for Des McAnuff at Stratford Festival because he’s such a pioneer and he’s so passionate about trying to figure out a way of infusing the theatre community with inspiration in order to keep it alive.  I think it will take a group of individuals such as myself and other like minded people to get something started up again.  The important thing is that the passion, desire and talent to revive the Toronto theatre scene is there.

As I venture into directing one of my goals is to get myself into a position where I can bring projects into Toronto and develop them in the city.  I may have “arrived” choreographically but I’m still developing as a director, but I hope one day I can take those risks and bring material to the city that will showcase Canadian talent and resources and help support the city. 

One final Memphis question – some people are a bit hesitant to see the show because they saw the filmed version that aired at Cineplex earlier this year.  What would you say to convince them to come see it “again”?

The thing about theatre in general and the thing about Memphis in particular, is that seeing those dancers up on that stage doing what they do and putting themselves on the line, it’s incredible.  This show has a vitality that a filmed version can’t quite capture.  So I think that audiences are going to be riveted and inspired by what they see up on the stage. 

When and Where?
Memphis

The Toronto Centre for the Performing Arts

Performance Schedule

December 6^th -24^th 2011

Tuesday – Saturday at 7:30PM

Saturday and Sunday at 2PM

Dec 7, 11, 22, 23 at 2PM and Dec 24^th at 1PM

Tickets range from $51-$180 and can be purchased online at www.dancaptickets.com or by phone at 416-644-3665

For more information please visit the official website at: www.MemphisTheMusical.com