Chad Kimball to Take Hiatus from MEMPHIS Due to Injury; No Plans to Return Yet

BroadwayWorld has learned that MEMPHIS star Chad Kimball will take an indefinite hiatus from the Tony-winning show beginning October 23, 2011 due to nerve damage he's suffered in his neck as a result of performing the demanding role of 'Huey Calhoun' eight nights a week.  Kimball created the role 'Huey' and has been bringing him to life at the Shubert Theatre for nearly two years. The nerve damage began to create problems for Kimball a couple of months ago, and he has missed several performances since.

Kimball's manager, Tony Cloer, tells BroadwayWorld that "while Chad and the creative team are certainly open to his return, after October 23, there are no definite plans for him to go back into the show. He has to see how he heals."

An official statement from the production, in addition to an announcement of who will be Kimball's replacement, has yet to be made.

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, who is currently represented by three shows on Broadway (Memphis, Jersey Boys, and The Addams Family).

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

The show features a Tony winning score with music by Bon Jovi's founding member and 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.

To catch Kimball's final performances as "Huey' before his departure, visit http://www.memphisthemusical.com.

Photo Credit: Monica Simoes

Photo Credit: Monica Simoes