Tony-Winning MEMPHIS Writers David Bryan & Joe DiPietro Join Orpheum Sidewalk of Stars

The Tony Award Winning duo David Bryan and Joe DiPietro, co-writers of MEMPHIS THE MUSICAL, will be added to the Orpheum's famed "Sidewalk of Stars" during a special presentation at the Orpheum Theatre on Saturday, April 27.

"MEMPHIS THE MUSICAL has sparked renewed interest in all the great things our City has to offer," said Orpheum President and CEO Pat Halloran, who will present the stars on Saturday. "We are proud to honor David and Joe for their significant contributions to both the arts and to the City of Memphis by adding two bright new stars to the Orpheum's 'Sidewalk of Stars.' "

Bryan and DiPietro will join the ranks of prestigious Orpheum performers such as Harry Houdini, Cary Grant, Mae West, Tyler Perry, and Carol Channing, to name a few.

The Orpheum's "Sidewalk of Stars" began in 1998 with the installation of 63 stars that chronicled the long history of famous Theatre performers dating back to the original Grand Opera House, which was constructed in 1890 where the Orpheum now stands. As the Orpheum has evolved from vaudeville to movie house to its current format of presenting Broadway musicals, comedians, concerts, and special events, so have the stars.

"Our sidewalk reflects the Orpheum's longstanding history of excellence in entertainment," continued Halloran. "These newest honorees certainly embody that tradition, but they went beyond creating a great musical: they gave the City of Memphis a voice that continues to be heard across North America and, very soon, in Great Britain."

David Bryan, co-writer of MEMPHIS, is a Grammy Award-winning keyboard player and founding member of Bon Jovi. Over the past 26 years the band has sold more than 130 million records and toured the world, playing to millions of people. Their recent Lost Highway Tour was the #1 grossing tour in the world. David is a National Spokesperson for VH1's Save The Music Program. He has won a 2010 Tony Award for Best Composer, a 2010 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Music, and an Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Score for MEMPHIS! David and Joe DiPietro have also co-written the award-winning musical THE TOXIC AVENGER, currently playing at New World Stages.

Joe DiPietro won two Tony Awards for co-writing MEMPHIS. He was nominated for a Tony Award and won a Drama Desk Award for his book for his current Broadway show NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT starring Matthew Broderick. His other plays and musicals include I LOVE YOU, YOU'RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE (the longest-running musical revue in Off-Broadway history); THE TOXIC AVENGER and THE THING ABOUT MEN (both winners of the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Off-Broadway Musical); the much produced comedy OVER THE RIVER AND THROUGH THE WOODS; THE ART OF MURDER (Edgar Award winner for Best Mystery Play); and the Broadway musical ALL SHOOK UP. His work has received thousands of productions across the country and around the world.

MEMPHIS THE MUSICAL is playing at the Orpheum Theatre April 23-28. Set in the smoky clubs of Beale Street during the segregated 50's, MEMPHIS is loosely based on the true story of Memphian, Dewey Phillips, one of rock'n'roll's pioneering disk jockeys who defied 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. From the WHBQ radio station located in the historic Hotel Chisca, Phillips started a revolution that helped redefine the cultural landscape of America.

Tickets are on sale now and available for purchase online at the official Orpheum Theatre website, www.orpheum-memphis.com, The Orpheum Box Office (901.525.3000), the ticket counter at The Booksellers at Laurelwood, and all Ticketmaster centers (901.743.ARTS).

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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