MEMPHIS' Montego Glover Performs at Ford Theatre Benefit June 6

Montego Glover, Tony nominated for her performance in MEMPHIS, will perform at the Ford's Theatre Society annual gala titled "America Celebrates July 4th at Ford's Theatre." The program will be filmed Sunday, June 6, in Washington, DC; portions of the gala will air on Friday, July 2nd on ABC (9pm - 10pm ET).

The evening will be hosted by "Modern Family" star Ty Burrell and will include Kelly Clarkson, Dick Van Dyke, Renée Fleming, George Lopez, Lionel Richie, Robin Roberts, Laura Michelle Kelly and Gavin Lee from the Broadway company of Mary Poppins as well as The Soldiers' Chorus of the United States Army Field Band. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama have been invited to attend.

First Lady Michelle Obama serves as the honorary chair of the gala celebration. Honorary co-chairs are Mrs. Landra Reid, The Honorable Elaine L. Chao, Mrs. Dingell, Mrs. Abigail P. Blunt, Dr. Sharon Malone and Mrs. Catherine B. Reynolds.

MEMPHIS takes place in the smoky halls and underground clubs of the segregated 50's, a young white DJ named Huey Calhoun (Chad Kimball) fell in love with everything he shouldn't: rock and roll and an electrifying black singer (Montego Glover). MEMPHIS is an original story about the cultural revolution that erupted when his vision met her voice, and the music changed forever.

Critically acclaimed MEMPHIS is nominated for eight 2010Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Actor in a Musical (Chad Kimball), Best Actress in a Musical (Montego Glover), Best Direction of a Musical (Christopher Ashley), Best Original Score (David Bryan & Joe DiPietro), Best Book of a Musical (Joe DiPietro), Best Orchestrations (David Bryan & Daryl Waters) and Best Costume Design of a Musical (Paul Tazewell). MEMPHIS also won 4 Outer Critics Circle Awards including Best Musical and 4 Drama Desk Awards including Best Musical.

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. 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).

www.memphisthemusical.com

Photo Credit: Linda Lenzi

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