MEMPHIS The Musical Breaks Orpheum Records

The 2010 Tony Award-winning musical sensation MEMPHIS took the city by storm, setting records in ticket sales and leaving audiences longing for more. 26,740 patrons attended MEMPHIS during its 13 show run which began on October 14th and ended on October 23rd at The Orpheum Theatre.

"This was a significant event in the life of our city," said Pat Halloran, President & CEO of The Orpheum Theatre. "It's not every day that a Tony Award winner, bearing the name of your city, launches an international tour from your city."

This production marks the first international Broadway tour to launch from the musically-rich city of Memphis. Orpheum officials estimated the economic impact from MEMPHIS to be over $10 million. In addition to ticket sales and expenditures by theatre patrons, over 700 members of the cast, crew, producers, and investors called Memphis home during the weeks leading up to the debut.

"The impact of the tour launching here had considerable financial benefits for our city, but more than that, it gave our community a boost of pride," said Halloran. Set on Beale Street in the 1950s and loosely based on the life of Memphis DJ, Dewey Phillips, MEMPHIS tells the story of a DJ who defies segregation and racism to become one of the progenitors of rock and roll and rhythm and blues by crossing the racial barrier and putting black musicians on white radio.

"When Bryan Fenkart, sang the big anthem number, you could almost feel the civic pride growing in the room" says Halloran. Mr. Fenkart received a four minute ovation from the audience following his performance of "Memphis Lives in Me" a song written by David Bryan, the Grammy-winning keyboard player and founding member of Bon Jovi.

The show is currently slated for an 81 week tour which will eventually include stops in Canada, Japan, and London. The Orpheum has already scheduled the return of MEMPHIS in 2013.

"The international tour will continue to spotlight Memphis as an exciting, vibrant travel destination and a must-see spot on the music and cultural map," said Halloran. As a producer of MEMPHIS, Halloran was not only instrumental in the promotion and marketing of the show, but he also helped to raise the money needed to stage the production in New York.

The Orpheum Theatre proudly recognizes and thanks ArtsMemphis with Regions Bank and Pickler Wealth Advisors for sponsoring the MEMPHIS engagement and, of course, Harrah's Tunica for sponsoring the 2011-2012 Broadway Season. Their contributions have made it possible for The Orpheum Theatre to bring this high quality production to the Mid South community.

About The Orpheum Theatre

The Orpheum Theatre is operated by the Memphis Development Foundation, a non-profit organization that depends on the financial support of the community to carry out its mission to foster the enjoyment and understanding of the arts in Memphis, as well as the economic prosperity of Downtown and surrounding areas. For more information, visit www.orpheum-memphis.com or call 901-525-7800. The Orpheum is located at 203 South Main Street Memphis, TN 38103.

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