Theatre Memphis Closes AMADEUS, 220

Amadeus, Tony Award Winner for Best Play, opens 2011 on the Lohrey Stage at Theatre Memphis.This provocative work weaves a confrontation between mediocrity and genius into a tale of breathtaking dramatic power. In the court of the Austrian Emperor Josef, Antonio Salieri is the established composer. Enter the young Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart who is to become the greatest musical composer of all time. Salieri has given himself to God to realize his sole ambition to be a great composer. Mozart is a foul-mouthed, graceless oaf who has that which is beyond Salieri's envious grasp: genius.
 
The lavish Theatre Memphis production stars Tony Isbell as Salieri and Marcus Brown as the up and coming Mozart. Both are veterans to the Theatre Memphis stage and were drawn to this production. Isbell says, "I have wanted to play Salieri since I first read the original version of the script, about 30 years ago when it was first done in New York. The script spoke to me at once. I immediately felt a sympathy for and an understanding of Salieri's situation."
 
Brown wanted to perform in a dramatic, non-musical role for a change. His last Theatre Memphis roles included the lead in the hit musicals Curtains and Little Shop of Horrors. He states that the play exemplifies "... a very interesting dynamic of human behavior and interaction..." and his research included immersing himself in Mozart music. He believes Mozart's eccentricities were unique to his time even though his character is one that one can relate to today. "I read a bumper sticker the other day that read 'Mozart was a punk'," Brown says. "I think that sentiment is right on."
 
Director Kell Christie has her own attachment to Amadeus. "Salieri is like no other character in dramatic literature," she bemuses. "He is so upfront about being mediocre yet his desire to be famous overwhelms him. He can recognize genius but he can't achieve it."
Performance dates for Amadeus are February 4 - 20, 2011. Shows are at 7:30pm Wednesday, February 16 and Thursdays, 8pm on Fridays and Saturdays with matinees on Sunday at 2pm.  Tickets are $23 for adults, $15 for students with a valid ID. Call 901.682.8323 to purchase tickets or go online to www.theatrememphis.org.