Skip to main content Skip to footer site map

5th Avenue Co-Production Of MEMPHIS Gathers Eight Tony Nominations

This year's Tony nominations include a healthy showing for a musical developed last year at Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre during its pre-Broadway run: Memphis. A co-production between The 5th and La Jolla Playhouse, this original musical by David Bryan (music and lyrics) and Joe DiPietro (lyrics and book) tells the story of a white DJ whose love of black music helped bring about the birth of rock n' roll.
 
Memphis has been nominated for Best Musical, Best Book (DiPietro), Best Original Score (DiPietro, Bryan), Best Actor in a Musical (Chad Kimball), Best Actress in a Musical (Montego Glover), Best Costume Design (Paul Tazewell), Best Direction of a Musical (Christopher Ashley), and Best Orchestrations (Daryl Waters, Bryan).
 
In addition to these nominations, Memphis has also received nominations for seven Outer Critic Circle Awards (including Best Musical), seven Drama Desk Awards (including Best Musical), two Drama League Awards (including Best Musical), and two Astaire Awards, giving it the most award nominations of any show on Broadway this year.
 
Chad Kimball, who plays the role of DJ Huey Calhoun, is a Seattle native and a graduate of Roosevelt High School, whose acclaimed musical theatre program led by Ruben Van Kempen has produced dozens of theatre professionals in the last 30 years. Playing his great love Felicia is Montego Glover, a Chattanooga Tennessee native who was described as a "powerhouse" by the Seattle Times.
 
New York critics have declared Memphis "an exuberant musical with classic values…immensely gratifying" (New York Post), "the very essence of what a Broadway musical should be" (AP), "an original, authentic, and extraordinary show (Newsday) and "the biggest hit on Broadway this year or any other year!" (WOR Radio)
 
This strong showing for another musical developed at The 5th Avenue helps bolster the Theatre's reputation as one of the preeminent companies in the country for new musicals. Over the past 10 years the 5th Avenue has produced nine new musicals, including the Tony-award winning Hairspray and the upcoming Broadway musical Catch Me If You Can. This commitment to new musicals will continue in the 2010-2011 Season with our productions of A Christmas Story and Vanities, two new musicals that will receive developmental productions at The 5th.
 
Season subscriptions to The 5th Avenue's 2010-2011 Season are available by calling 206-625-1900/toll-free 888-5TH-4TIX (584-4849), at our website 5thavenue.org, and in person at the box office at 1308 5th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101.
 
Special thanks to The 5th's 2011 Season Co-Sponsors Safeco Insurance and US Bank.
 
The 5th Avenue Theatre is Seattle's premier musical theater. In 1980, the non-profit 5th Avenue Theatre began producing and presenting top-quality live musical theater for the cultural enrichment of the Northwest community. The 5th Avenue Theatre maintains a subscription audience of over 25,000 and an annual attendance of more than 287,000. It ranks among the nation's largest and most respected musical theater companies. The Theatre is committed to encouraging the next generation of theatergoers through its Educational Outreach Program which includes: The Adventure Musical Theatre Touring Company, The 5th Avenue High School Musical Theatre Awards, the Student Matinee Program and Spotlight Nights. Unique in its Chinese-inspired design, the exquisite theater opened in 1926 as a venue for vaudeville and film. Today, under the leadership of Managing Director Marilynn Sheldon and Producing Artistic Director David Armstrong, The 5th Avenue Theatre continues to achieve the highest standards in all aspects of artistic endeavors and facility operations, while preserving its artistic, architectural and historic legacy. Visit www.5thavenue.org.



Seattle Theatre Group Presents Nils Frahm, Internationally Celebrated Pianist and Composer Photo
Seattle Theatre Group (STG) presents the internationally acclaimed Berlin-based pianist, composer, and producer Nils Frahm for one night only on Thursday, April 27 at 8:00 PM at the Paramount Theatre. This event is part of STG's 2022/23 Performing Arts Season.

Verdis Classic LA TRAVIATA Closes Memorable Season At Seattle Opera Photo
In Seattle Opera’s mainstage finale, audiences will be treated to one of opera’s most enduring favorites: La traviata, Giuseppe Verdi’s sumptuous tale of true love lost.

Interview: Marianne Savell of AS IT IS IN HEAVEN at Taproot Theatre Photo
Interview with Director Marianne Savell of AS IT IS IN HEAVEN at Taproot Theatre reveals the dynamics of communal living, especially when they are confronted with change.

SIGNIFICANT OTHER Comes To Tacoma Little Theatre This Spring Photo
Tacoma Little Theatre presents the bittersweet comedy, Significant Other,  by Joshua Harmon as part of its 104th season.


More Hot Stories For You


Mirror Stage Presents U.S. Premiere Of THE SQUIRREL PLAYSMirror Stage Presents U.S. Premiere Of THE SQUIRREL PLAYS
March 31, 2023

Mirror Stage will present its first fully-staged production in more than 10 years, the U.S. premiere of The Squirrel Plays by award-winning playwright Mia McCullough. A deeply dark comedy about choice(s) and consequences, The Squirrel Plays is a cycle of three short one-act plays: Infestation, Compensation, and Eradication.

Seattle Theatre Group Presents Nils Frahm, Internationally Celebrated Pianist and Composer, April 27Seattle Theatre Group Presents Nils Frahm, Internationally Celebrated Pianist and Composer, April 27
March 30, 2023

Seattle Theatre Group (STG) presents the internationally acclaimed Berlin-based pianist, composer, and producer Nils Frahm for one night only on Thursday, April 27 at 8:00 PM at the Paramount Theatre. This event is part of STG's 2022/23 Performing Arts Season.

SIGNIFICANT OTHER Comes To Tacoma Little Theatre This SpringSIGNIFICANT OTHER Comes To Tacoma Little Theatre This Spring
March 24, 2023

Tacoma Little Theatre presents the bittersweet comedy, Significant Other,  by Joshua Harmon as part of its 104th season.

Creative Team Announced for Seattle Rep's HOW I LEARNED WHAT I LEARNEDCreative Team Announced for Seattle Rep's HOW I LEARNED WHAT I LEARNED
March 24, 2023

Seattle Rep has announced Steven Anthony Jones (Seattle Rep: Jitney, 2020) will lead Seattle Rep’s upcoming production of How I Learned What I Learned by August Wilson, directed by Tim Bond (Seattle Rep: The Children, 2020).

Village Theatre Announces 2023-2024 SeasonVillage Theatre Announces 2023-2024 Season
March 23, 2023

Under new leadership, Village Theatre has announced their 2023-2024 season, which features a collection of extraordinary musicals and plays that will bring exquisite music, unforgettable stories, and powerful theatricality to Village’s venues in both Issaquah and Everett, Washington.