La Jolla Announces Casting and Creatives for 'Memphis'

La Jolla Playhouse announced today the initial lineup of cast and creatives for the upcoming musical MEMPHIS- The Birth of Rock 'n' Roll slated for August 19th through September 28th in the Mandell Weiss Theatre. Memphis is the first production directed by Christopher Ashley at La Jolla Playhouse since becoming Artistic Director. Rehearsals begin July 8th.

Heading the cast will be Chad Kimball (Lennon, Good Vibrations) as Huey, Montego Glover (The Color Purple, Dreamgirls) as Felicia, J. Bernard Calloway (The Good Negro, "Rescue Me", "Law & Order") as Delray, Allen Fitzpatrick (42nd Street, "Kissing Jessica Stein", "Law & Order") as Mr. Simmons, Cass Morgan (Mary Poppins, Ring of Fire) as Mrs. Calhoun, James Monroe Iglehart (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee) as Bobby and Michael Benjamin Washington (Mamma Mia!, La Jolla Playhouse's The Wiz) as Gator.

MEMPHIS' experienced ensemble includes: Brad Bass, Tracee Beazer, Josh Breckenridge, Kevin Covert, Dionne D. Figgins, John Eric Parker, Jermaine Remberdt, Melanie Vaughan, Daniel Watts, Charlie Williams and locals Lorene Chesley, Steve Gunderson, Lauren Lim Jackson, Cashae Monya, Jill Morrison, Irungu Mutu, Pearl Rhein and Megan Yelaney.

The award-winning creative team includes: Book and Lyrics by Joe DiPietro (I Love You, Your Perfect, Now Change, All Shook Up), Music and additional Lyrics by David Bryan (Bon Jovi keyboardist and founding member), Directed by Christopher Ashley (Xanadu, La Jolla Playhouse Artistic Director), Set Design/Co-Projection Design by David Gallo (The Drowsy Chaperone, A Catered Affair, Xanadu), Costume Design by Paul Tazewell (Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk, Def Poetry Jam), Choreography by Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys, All Shook Up), Lighting Design by Howell Binkley (Cry-Baby, Jersey Boys, Xanadu), Wig and Hair Design by Chuck LaPointe (High Fidelity, The Color Purple, Xanadu, Jersey Boys), Sound Design by Ken Travis (Steel Magnolias, The Threepenny Opera, Barefoot in the Park), Co-Projection Design by local Shawn Sagady (The Seven, Carmen, The Wiz), Stage Management by Frank Hartenstein (The Farnsworth Invention), Production Management by Peter J. Davis, Dramaturgy by Gabriel Greene, and Associate Produced by Dana I. Harrell (Xanadu, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee).

Music Department includes: Musical Supervisor Christopher Jahnke (Legally Blonde, Les Misérables, Grease, Cry-Baby) and Orchestrations by Darryl Waters (Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk).

MEMPHIS is a story about the passion and roots of rock 'n' roll featuring an original gospel, rhythm & blues and early rock score fused with a contemporary sensibility. The musical follows the life of the first white deejay who dares to play black music at the center of the radio dial. Taking place on legendary Beale Street in the early 1950's, this dynamic show puts audiences front and center at the birth of rock 'n' roll.  Based on a concept by George W. George and co-produced in conjunction with The 5th Avenue Theatre (Seattle, WA). Two early developmental productions of Memphis played at North Shore Music Theatre (MA) and TheatreWorks (CA).

The nationally acclaimed, Tony Award-winning La Jolla Playhouse is known for its tradition of creating the most exciting and adventurous new work in regional theatre. Led by Artistic Director Christopher Ashley and Managing Director Steven B. Libman, the Playhouse was founded in 1947 by Gregory Peck, Dorothy McGuire and Mel Ferrer, and is now considered one of the most well respected not-for-profit theatres in Southern California. During the tenure of Director Emeritus Des McAnuff numerous Playhouse productions have moved to Broadway, including The Farnsworth Invention, Big River, The Who's Tommy, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, A Walk in the Woods, Dracula, Billy Crystal's 700 Sundays, the Pulitzer Prize-winning I Am My Own Wife, and the currently running Jersey Boys.

Preview performances begin August 19th. MEMPHIS opens officially Wednesday, September 3rd and closes September 28th. La Jolla Playhouse performances of MEMPHIS are sponsored by Procopio.

Performance times are Tuesday and Wednesday, 7:30pm; Thursday through Saturday, 8:00pm; and Sundays 7:00pm. Matinees are held on Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00pm. Single ticket prices range from $42 to $100. To purchase, call (858) 550-1010 or online at www.lajollaplayhouse.org.

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