Memphis: A New Musical 2009

Run Time:
2 hours and 30 minutes, with one intermission
Opened: October 19, 2009
Closing: August 05, 2012

Memphis: A New Musical - 2009 - Broadway History , Info & More

From the rockin' dance halls of Memphis, Tennessee comes this hot and bothered new Broadway musical with heart, soul and energy to burn. Set in the turbulent south in the 1950s, it is the story of Huey Calhoun, a white radio DJ whose love of good music transcends race lines and airwaves. Get ready to experience all the exuberance and the emotion... the beauty and the controversy... of a wondrous, defining time in our history. You're tuning in to Memphis, so turn up that dial!



MEMPHIS features a brand new score with music by Bon Jovi's founding member/keyboardist David Bryan and lyrics by Bryan and Joe DiPietro (I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change), who also pens the musical's book. Bryan and DiPietro also collaborated on the current award-winning off-Broadway hit, The Toxic Avenger. MEMPHIS is based on a concept by the late George W. George (producer of the Tony nominated Bedroom Farce and the film My Dinner With Andre), with direction by Tony nominee Christopher Ashley (Xanadu) and choreography by Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys).

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PREVIEW Memphis: A New Musical - 2009 - Broadway

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FEATURED REVIEWS FOR Memphis: A New Musical

'Memphis' the soul of rock and roll
9 / 10

The remarkably rich and raucous character-driven songs, by Bon Jovi cofounder David Bryan, lovingly capture the insinuating, earthy authenticity of rhythm and blues, gospel and early rock and roll without sounding derivative. The moody and inventive production has been put together with down-and-dirty elegance by director Christopher Ashley, choreographer Sergio Trujillo, set designer David Gallo and costume designer Paul Tazewell, who let the musical and dramatic and pop-up scenic discoveries peel off one another at a pace breathless and disciplined, original and authentic. When a singer lets loose - and, eventually, they all do - the vocal pyrotechnics come from deep within the storytelling.

Memphis
6 / 10

Now that Broadway no longer benefits from Hairspray’s retro uplift, space on the Great White Way has been cleared for another musical about the racial integration of a television dance program in the early years of the civil-rights movement. Joe DiPietro and David Bryan’s Memphis cannot be faulted for its intentions: Its heart and its soul music are in the right place. The show’s assets begin with Chad Kimball’s dynamic, courageously outré leading performance as Huey, a Tennessee radio DJ in the 1950s, who champions “race records” and embarks on a risky romance with a black singer (the lovely Montego Glover, an impressive vocalist). The music has laudable drive, which Sergio Trujillo’s choreography brings to vibrant life.

Tony-Winning MEMPHIS Headed to West End in 2014?
by Robert Diamond - November 28, 2013

When the Tony-winning MEMPHIS closed on Broadway in 2012, producers announced that a West End production was coming soon. According to the UK Daily Mail, soon could be in 2014, at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London's West End, following a scheduled run of THE PAJAMA GAME.

Breaking News: Deal in Place for Movie Adaption of Tony-Winning MEMPHIS
by Robert Diamond - October 15, 2012

Deadline.com reports that a deal is now in place for Belle Pictures and the Mark Gordon Company to head a film adaption of Memphis at Warner Brother's Aclon Entertainment. The film will be produced by Mark Gordon, Molly Smith and Alcon's Andrew Kosove and Broderick Johnson with a new script by Tony-winner Joe DiPietro.

BWW Reviews: Pantages Hosts MEMPHIS, the Musical That Has It All
by Don Grigware - August 2, 2012

Now on its national tour, Memphis docks at the Pantages for two weeks only through August 12, and the production is thrilling from top to bottom with a great book, great score, sensational direction and choreography and a truly fantastic cast of triple threat actors, singers and dancers. Memphis is one those rare shows that gives the audience a realistic picture of radio and the emergence of television as it took possession of the nation in the early 50s.

Tonner Doll Company to Release MEMPHIS 'Huey' and 'Felicia' Figures
by Kelsey Denette - August 2, 2012

Tonner Doll Company plans to release their very first Broadway collection: The Memphis Collection. Inspired by the 2010 Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Memphis, this collection will feature the fashions straight from the stage.

MEMPHIS Red Carpet Streams Live at Pantages Theatre Tonight, 7/31
by BWW News Desk - July 31, 2012

In celebration of the L.A. premiere of the 2010 Tony-Winning Best Musical MEMPHIS, the Pantages Theatre is hosting a fully produced red carpet broadcast which will be streamed live on the official Pantages Theatre UStream and Facebook pages tonight, July 31, 2012, from 7 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.

MEMPHIS Will Recoup Investment on Broadway by Closing
by Robert Diamond - July 30, 2012

The producers of the 2010 Tony Award-winning Best Musical MEMPHIS announced today that the production will recoup its $12 million investment as of its final performance on Broadway on Sunday, August 5, 2012 after 30 previews and 1,166 regular performances. MEMPHIS opened on October 19, 2009 at Broadway's Shubert Theatre (225 W. 44th Street), having begun previews on September 23rd.

MEMPHIS Red Carpet to Stream Live at Pantages Theatre, 7/31
by BWW News Desk - July 29, 2012

In celebration of the L.A. premiere of the 2010 Tony-Winning Best Musical MEMPHIS, the Pantages Theatre is hosting a fully produced red carpet broadcast which will be streamed live on the official Pantages Theatre UStream and Facebook pages on July 31, 2012, from 7 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.

BWW Interviews: Bryan Fenkart Brings MEMPHIS to San Diego
by E.H. Reiter - July 25, 2012

Interview with Bryan Fenkart, who plays Huey, the DJ that dared to play the music he loved on the radio for all to hear. MEMPHIS is about a white radio DJ who wants to change the world and a black club singer who is ready for her big break. For tickets and show time information please go to www.broadwaysd.com

MEMPHIS Comes Home to San Diego, Now thru 7/29
by BWW News Desk - July 24, 2012

MEMPHIS the 2010 Tony Award-winner for Best Musical, opens at the San Diego Civic Theatre tonight, July 24 for a limited engagement and will play through July 29th.

BWW TV: MEMPHIS Performs at Broadway in Bryant Park 2012!
by Nicole Rosky - July 26, 2012

The event continued this week with performances from the asts of GHOST (Richard Fleeshman, Caissie Levy, Da'Vine Joy Randolph), ZARKANA (Jason Nious, Jeremie Robert, Michael Duffy, Tom Cholot, Daniel Passer, Larry Wayne Wilson, Federico Pisapia, Vincenzo Schiavo, Giuseppe Schiavo, Marco Senatore, Keith Paraska, Peter Fand), SISTER ACT (Rashidra Scott, Alena Watters, Lael Van Keuren), MEMPHIS (Kevin Massey, Dan'yelle Williamson) and WICKED (Donna Vivino, Kate Fahrner). Click below to check out the performances from the cast of MEMPHIS, which included 'Colored Woman,' and 'The Music of My Soul' and more!

Photo Exclusive: Bon Jovi Drummer Tico Torres Visits MEMPHIS
by BWW News Desk - July 9, 2012

BroadwayWorld brings you exclusive photos from last night at MEMPHIS. Tico Torres, the drummer for Bon Jovi, brought his family to the show to support his friend David Bryan. Check out photos of Torres with Montego Glover, Adam Pascal, Derrick Baskin, and James Monroe Iglehart below!

Stage Tube: Adam Pascal Sings 'Memphis Lives In Me' on Good Day New York!
by Jessica Lewis - June 29, 2012

Broadway and MEMPHIS star Adam Pascal stopped by Good Day New York this morning to treat audiences to a live performance of 'Memphis Lives in Me,' one of the show's most iconic numbers. Check out the performance and photos of Pascal's visit below!

Breaking News: Tony-Winning MEMPHIS to Close on Broadway August 5; West End Production Coming Soon
by Robert Diamond - June 26, 2012

The producers of the 2010 Tony Award-winning Best Musical MEMPHIS announced tonight that the production will play its final performance on Broadway on Sunday, August 5, 2012 after 30 previews and 1,166 regular performances. MEMPHIS opened on October 19, 2009 at Broadway's Shubert Theatre (225 W. 44th Street), having begun previews on September 23rd.

STAGE TUBE: Jared Zirilli Chats with LYSISTRATA JONES' LaQuet Sharnell on 'Broadway Boo's!'
by Stage Tube - June 23, 2012

Jared Zirilli (of FAT CAMP, Original Broadway Cast of LYSISTRATA JONES, WICKED, TWILIGHT the Musical) brings you episode 27 of the Jared Zirilli Blog and his sixth interview installment of 'Jared's Broadway Boo's!' with LaQuet Sharnell of SWEET CHARITY, LION KING, MEMPHIS, and LYSISTRATA JONES.

BWW Reviews: MEMPHIS at the Kennedy Center is mmmmmmmmm Marvelous!
by Charles Shubow - June 18, 2012

See the four-time Tony Award winner and you won't miss a beat.

MEMPHIS Comes Home to San Diego, 7/24-29
by BWW News Desk - June 11, 2012

MEMPHIS the 2010 Tony Award-winner for Best Musical, opens at the San Diego Civic Theatre on July 24 for a limited engagement and will play through July 29th.

MEMPHIS Comes to Kennedy Center Opera House, Now thru 7/1
by BWW News Desk - June 12, 2012

The Kennedy Center presents Memphis in the Opera House from tonight, June 12 to July 1, 2012.

BWW Review: MEMPHIS Lives in Buffalo!
by Jenna Rich - June 10, 2012

Anyone who knows me knows that I adore MEMPHIS. Back in 2011, I had the opportunity to see the show on Broadway and I met the fantastical Chad Kimball. Later that year, I went to see the Direct from Broadway showings at my local movie theater (yes, I went 3 times). You could say I'm a bit obsessed. Now here I am, a year later at the first National Tour cast's party in my hometown of Buffalo, NY.

Photo Flash: Taye Diggs Visits MEMPHIS!
by Nicole Rosky - May 25, 2012

Last night, Broadway veteran Taye Diggs brought his mom to MEMPHIS to see friend Adam Pascal play 'Huey Calhoun'. Check out photos of Diggs with the cast below!

MEMPHIS Comes to Kennedy Center Opera House, 6/12-7/1
by BWW News Desk - May 9, 2012

The Kennedy Center presents Memphis in the Opera House from June 12 to July 1, 2012.

STAGE TUBE: MEMPHIS Presents 'A Hockadoo Hair-Do How-Do'
by Sally Henry Fuller - May 7, 2012

Mary Kay Yezerski-Bondoc, of the MEMPHIS wig department, recently did an eight-step video about how to properly take curlers out of a wig and style it. Additionally, this video gives a glimpse at the astounding number of wigs used in the show.

Memphis: A New Musical FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Memphis: A New Musical has had 4 productions including Regional (US) which opened in 2004, Broadway which opened in 2009, US Tour which opened in 2011 and West End which opened in 2014.
Best Musical , , Best Book of a Musical for Joe DiPietro, Best Costume Design of a Musical for Paul Tazewell, Best Direction of a Musical for Christopher Ashley, Best Orchestrations for Daryl Waters, Best Orchestrations for David Bryan, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre for David BryanBest Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre for Joe DiPietro and Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre for David Bryan.
Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical for Joe DiPietro Best Costume Design of a Musical for Paul Tazewell Best Direction of a Musical for Christopher Ashley Best Orchestrations for Daryl Waters Best Orchestrations for David Bryan, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre for David Bryan, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre for Joe DiPietro, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre for David Bryan, .
Memphis: A New Musical has been nominated for several awards. These include Outstanding Choreography at the Drama Desk Awards for Sergio Trujillo, Outstanding Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for Memphis, Outstanding Choreography at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Sergio Trujillo, Outstanding Director of a Musical at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Christopher Ashley, Outstanding Book of a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for Joe DiPietro, Outstanding Music at the Drama Desk Awards for David Bryan, and Outstanding Orchestrations at the Drama Desk Awards for David Bryan.
Memphis: A New Musical has won several awards, including Outstanding Choreography at the Drama Desk Awards for Sergio Trujillo, Outstanding Musical at the Drama Desk Awards, Outstanding Choreography at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Sergio Trujillo, Outstanding Director of a Musical at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Christopher Ashley, Outstanding Book of a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for Joe DiPietro, Outstanding Music at the Drama Desk Awards for David Bryan, and Outstanding Orchestrations at the Drama Desk Awards for David Bryan.

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