Tony Tuesday: Memphis
This week we’re popping back to the start of the teenies with some unifying soul and rock ‘n’ roll. This week’s TONY Tuesday is:
“Steal Your Rock And Roll” from Memphis at the 2010 TONY awards ceremony.
Memphis started life in the 2003-2004 season celebrating productions in both California and Massachusetts. The musical is loosely based on radio DJ Dewey Phillips, who was one of the first white DJs to play black music on air in the 1950s. After Huey Calhoun visits Delray’s, an underground club which is an oasis for Black Rock and Roll, and as well as falling in love with the music, he falls for Felicia: Delray’s sister. Huey promises her he can get her on the air and Huey sets out on a mission to become a radio DJ and change the course of history.
After its 2003-2004 season, the show subsequently had a further two out of town try-outs. These took place at the La Jolla Playhouse in 2008 and then again at the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle at the start of 2009. Post-Seattle, the musical transferred to Broadway that same year, opening for previews on 23 September 2009. The show received positive reviews from critics and audience members alike, becoming a financial and critical success. The show ended up winning four TONY awards, including the top gong for ‘Best Musical’.
The musical was directed by Christopher Ashley and choreographed by Sergio Trujillo, with scenic design by David Gallo, costume design by Paul Tazewell, lighting design by the late Howell Binkley and sound design by Ken Travis. The opening night cast included Montego Glover as Felicia, Chad Kimball as Huey, J. Bernard Calloway as Delray and James Monroe Iglehart as Bobby. The musical ran for three years on Broadway and was filmed in 2011 for nationwide theatrical release. The musical then began a national tour from 2011-2013 starting at The Orpheum Theatre in Memphis.
The production was confirmed to be opening in London’s West End at The Shaftesbury Theatre in 2014. Beverley Knight was announced to take on the role of Felicia, whilst Killian Donnelly took on the role of Huey. The production ran for just over a year, closing to make way for the transfer of Motown: The Musical. The musical was well received, being nominated for eight Olivier awards and winning two. Throughout its run, the role of Felicia was also played by Rachel John and Huey by Matt Cardle.
The musical has also received productions in Australia as well as Japan, with rumours of a UK tour launching next year. The production has also been planned to be adapted for film since 2012, however, little information has been released of late regarding this.
If you haven’t listened to this show Besties, then where have you been? Please get it done!
Cast recordings available Spotify and AppleMusic, with a filmed recording available on BroadwayHD.
FACTS:
Music: David Bryan
Lyrics: David Bryan and Joe DiPietro
Book: Joe DiPietro
Theatre: The Schubert Theatre
Run: 23 September 2009 – 5 August 2012 (30 previews, 1,165 regular performances)
TONYS:
(NOMINATED) Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical – Chad Kimball, Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical – Montego Glover, Best Direction of a Musical – Christopher Ashley, Best Costume Design – Paul Tazewell.
(WON) Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical – Joe DiPietro, Best Original Score – David Bryan and Joe DiPietro, Best Orchestrations – Daryl Waters and David Bryan.
OLIVIERS:
(NOMINATED) Best New Musical, Best Actor in a Musical – Killian Donnelly, Best Actress in a Musical – Beverley Knight, Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical – Rolan Bell and Jason Pennycooke, Best Costume Design – Paul Tazewell, Outstanding Achievement in Music – David Bryan, Joe DiPietro and Tim Sutton.
(WON) Best Theatre Choreographer – Sergio Trujillo, Best Sound Design – Gareth Owen.
