Musical Theatre West to Open 16-17 Season with MEMPHIS

Musical Theatre West (MTW) opens its 2016-2017 season with Broadway's smash hit musical Memphis, at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center October 21 - November 6.

The winner of four Tony Awards, including "Best Musical," "Best Original Score," "Best Book" and "Best Orchestrations," is filled with roof-raising Rock & Roll, high-octane dancing, and an extraordinary tale of fame and forbidden love that sparked a cultural revolution.

The show's Tony-winning original score features 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.

Tickets are on sales at www.musical.org or by calling (562) 856-1999, ext. 4. Tickets start at $20.

Inspired by actual events, Memphis is a story of a cultural revolution that erupted in the 1950s, in the segregated underground nightclubs, radio stations, and recording studios of Memphis. When Huey Calhoun (Michael Monroe Goodman), a rebellious DJ with a passion for R&B, discovers Felicia Farrell (Krystle Simmons), an up-and-coming black singer in a club on Beale Street, they pursue a romantic and professional relationship, defying their place in society and in music. As their careers rise, they are challenged by personal ambition and the pressures of a segregated world. Will their love be able to withstand the trials of separation, greed and fame?

When Memphis opened on Broadway in 2009, audiences and critics went wild for the high-octane musical. The New York Times hails, "[Composer] David Bryan evokes the powerhouse funk of JAmes Brown, the hot guitar riffs of Chuck Berry, the smooth harmonies of the Temptations, the silken, bouncy pop of the great girl groups of the period." The New York Post raved "Of such thrills, Broadway is made." The New York Daily News "It's nice to know a new musical can actually surprise you!. Memphis wins you over with its sheer enthusiasm and exuberant performances."

Awards followed the critical acclaim. Memphis earned a total of nine Tony nominations, winning four of the top categories and seven Drama Desk Award nominations, taking home the awards for "Best Musical," "Outstanding Book of a Musical," "Outstanding Music," and "Outstanding Actress." When the production moved to London, the show garnered an additional nine Laurence Olivier Award nominations and the awards for "Best New Musical," "Best Theatre Choreographer," and "Best Sound Design."

Michael Monroe Goodman, Krystle Simmons, and Michael A. Sheppard star in MTW's production (see Calendar Listing for Full Cast). Goodman, a Jeff Award recipient for "Best Actor in a Musical Revue" for Ring of Fire" in Chicago, also toured for two years in Million Dollar Quartet in the windy city and on the national tour. A multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, and actor, he's released three original albums on his label, MammerJam Records.

Simmons makes her MTW debut with Memphis, but is no newcomer to the stage, featured in productions of Smokey Joe's Café, Cats, Hairspray, Legally Blonde, and Sophisticated Ladies throughout the country. Her national tour credits include California Dreaming, produced by the legendary Springer Opera House. Prior to joining Memphis, Simmons toured internationally promoting her debut album, Standards to Covers.

Well known to Los Angeles audiences, Michael A. Shepperd is currently the co-artistic director of the award-winning Celebration Theatre, where his directing credits include The Boy From Oz and The Next Fairy Tale. His acting credits include International City Theatre's production of Fences (earning Ovation, Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle (LADCC) nominations for "Lead Actor"); Bootycandy (LADCC nomination and Stage Raw award for "Lead Actor"); The Color Purple (Ovation nomination for "Lead Actor"); and Steel (Ovation Award for "Lead Actor"). The NAACP nominated Shepperd for his work in Master Harold and the Boys and Choir Boy, and awarded him "Best Supporting Actor" in Intimate Apparel. His Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Regional credits also include Cathy Rigby is Peter Pan; Little Shop of Horrors; and Caroline, or Change.

Edgar Godineaux serves as director/choreographer for MTW's production with musical direction by Darryl Archibald. MTW's production is made possible thanks to the support of Honorary Producers Ken & Dottie Reiner (who also serve as Season Honorary Producers) and Associate Producers Larry & Shari Nemirow. Season Honorary Producers include Ackerman Family/Evalyn M. Bauer Foundation, Don & Marlene Temple, Kathy Baker Campbell and KC Wilson. Education and Outreach Sponsorship is provided by Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe, Dr Ron and Sylvia Hartman,Arlene Solomon and the Arts Council for Long Beach. The production is presented through special arrangement with Theatrical Rights Worldwide. Paul Garman serves as Executive Director /Producer of Musical Theatre West.

Don't miss Musical Theatre West's production of Memphis at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center. For tickets go to www.musical.org or call (562) 856-1999, ext. 4.

Photo Credit: Michael Meyers

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