News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals

By: Oct. 20, 2009
Get Show Info Info
Cast
Photos
Videos
Enter Your Email to Unlock This Article

Plus, get the best of BroadwayWorld delivered to your inbox, and unlimited access to our editorial content across the globe.




Existing user? Just click login.

MEMPHIS, an original Broadway musical, officially opened last, Monday, October 19, 2009 at the Shubert Theatre (225 W. 44th Street) following critically-acclaimed and sold-out engagements at La Jolla Playhouse and Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre, began previews Wednesday, September 23, 2009. BroadwayWorld.com's camera where there as the first night crowd arrived.

MEMPHIS stars Chad Kimball (Huey Calhoun) and Montego Glover (Felicia Farrell) with Derrick Baskin (Gator),J. Bernard Calloway (Delray Jones), James Monroe Iglehart (Bobby), Tony nominee Michael McGrath (Mr. Simmons), and Cass Morgan (Gladys Calhoun).

The company also includes Jennifer AllenBrad BassTracee BeazerKevin CovertHillary Elk,Dionne FigginsRhett GeorgeJohn JellisonSydney MortonVivian NixonJohn Eric Parker,Jermaine R. RembertLaQuet Sharnell, Ephraim Sykes, Cary TedderDanny TidwellDaniel J. WattsKatie WebberCharlie Williams and Dan'yelle Williamson.

In the smoky halls and underground clubs of the segregated 50's, 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.

MEMPHIS features a brand new score with music by Bon Jovi's founding member/keyboardistDavid 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).

Tickets range from $41.50 to $126.50 (including a $1.50 facility fee). The performance schedule is as follows: Tuesday - Saturday evenings at 8pm, Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2pm, and Sundays at 3pm. Beginning October 26th, Tuesday evening curtains will be at 7pm. There will be special performance times during previews and holiday weeks. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.Telecharge.com or call 212.239.6200. 

MEMPHIS played a limited, sold-out engagement at La Jolla Playhouse from August 19 - September 28, 2008 and received San Diego's Craig Noel Awards for Excellence in Theatre for both Outstanding New Musical of 2008 and for its star Chad Kimball, in the role of DJ Huey Calhoun. The show then played another critically-acclaimed, extremely successful engagement at Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre from January 27 - February 15, 2009. This production was co-produced by La Jolla Playhouse (Christopher Ashley, Artistic Director) and5th Avenue Theatre, Seattle, WA, (David Armstrong, Producing Artistic Director/ Marilynn Sheldon, Managing Director). The world premiere of MEMPHIS in 2003-2004 was co-produced by North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly, MA and TheatreWorks in Silicon Valley, CA.

Scenic Design for MEMPHIS is by Tony Award winner David Gallo (The Drowsy Chaperone, Reasons to Be Pretty), Costume Design is by Tony nominee Paul Tazewell (In The Heights), Lighting Design is by Tony Award winner Howell Binkley (Jersey Boys) and Sound Design is byKen Travis (The Threepenny Opera).

MEMPHIS is produced on Broadway by Junkyard Dog Productions, Barbara and Buddy Freitag and Kenny and Marleen Alhadeff with Jim and Susan Blair, Demos Bizar Entertainment, David Copley, Dancap Productions Inc., Latitude Link and Tony Ponturo in association with Broadway Across AmericaLauren Doll, Linda and Bill Potter, Chase Mishkinand Patty Baker/ShadowCatcher Entertainment.

For more information visit www.memphisthemusical.com.

Photos by Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
The Broadway Opening Night Performance of 'MEMPHIS' at the Shubert Theatre

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
'MEMPHIS' at the Shubert Theatre

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
Memphis Peabody Ducks make their way to the show!

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
Memphis Peabody Ducks

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
Memphis Peabody Ducks

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
The Shubert Theatre

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
David Bryan

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
Joe DiPietro

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
David Bryan and Joe DiPietro

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
David Bryan and Joe DiPietro

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
Richie Sambora

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
Richie Sambora and Tico Torres

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
Richie Sambora and Tico Torres

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
Richie Sambora

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
Richie Sambora

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
Richie Sambora, David Bryan and Tico Torres

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
Richie Sambora, David Bryan and Tico Torres

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
Richie Sambora, David Bryan and Tico Torres

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
Richie Sambora, David Bryan and Tico Torres

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
Will Chase

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
Stephanie Gibson and Will Chase

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
Stephanie Gibson and Will Chase

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
Irene Gandy

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
Freddy Jackson

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
Freddy Jackson

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
Danny Aiello

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
Curtiss Cook

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
Curtiss Cook and guest

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
Gina Gershon

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
David Bryan and Gina Gershon

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
David Bryan and Gina Gershon

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
Gina Gershon

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
Gina Gershon

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
David Bryan and Alexandria Quaas

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
David Bryan, Alexandria Quaas and family

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
David Bryan and family on Opening Night!

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
John Glover and Judith Light

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
John Glover and Judith Light

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
Elizabeth Gregory and Bob Gruen

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
Harriet Harris

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
Harriet Harris

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
David Johansson

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
David Johansson

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
Gina Neely

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
Patrick Neely

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
Patrick Neely and Gina Neely

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
Patrick Neely and Gina Neely

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image

Kelly Devine and Jack Noseworthy

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
Steve West

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
Steve West

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
Margo McNabb and James L. Nederlander

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
Jill Zarin

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
Jill Zarin

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
Bobby Zarin and Jill Zarin

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
Michael Urie

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
Michael Urie

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
Michael Urie

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
Patrick Wilson

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
Patrick Wilson

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
Patrick Wilson

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
Patrick Wilson

Photo Coverage: MEMPHIS on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre - Opening Night Arrivals  Image
MEMPHIS on Broadway!




Videos