Riverside Theatre's MEMPHIS Begins Tonight

Riverside Theatre's celebrated 2014-2015 Season comes to a close with Memphis, the rollicking new musical that took Broadway by storm. Memphis performs on the Stark Stage from tonight, April 7 - 26, 2015 and is sponsored by Dick & Rosemary Haverland, John & Marilyn McConnell, Ray & Sonia McGowan, and Bobbie Olsen along with Riverside Theatre's Patron Producers. Memphis is produced in association with the Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia.

Winner of four 2010 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Memphis is set in the 1950's and revolves around the nightclubs, radio stations, and recording studios of the town. Memphis tells the fictional story of DJ Huey Calhoun, a good ole' local boy with a passion for R&B music and Felicia Farrell, an up-and-coming singer from the clubs. Despite the objections of their loved ones, they embark on a dangerous affair. As their careers rise, their relationship is challenged by personal ambition and the pressures of their forbidden love. With electrifying musical and dance numbers, Memphis delivers a rousing evening of theatre.

With music by David Bryan, book by Joe DiPietro, and music and lyrics by both Bryan and DiPietro, Memphis is loosely based on the life of Dewey Phillips, one of the first white DJ's to play black music in 1950's Memphis. Phillips was also the first to broadcast Elvis Presley's debut record, "That's All Right/Blue Moon of Kentucky."

Memphis is the second collboration between Bryan and DiPietro. Their first, The Toxic Avenger, opened Off-Broadway in April 2009. Memphis, opened on Broadway on October 19, 2009 at the Shubert Theatre and closed on August 5, 2012 after 30 previews and 1,165 performances. A London production opened in October 2014.

Mr. DiPietro is the author of many successful plays and musicals including: I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change; Over The River And Through The Woods; All Shook Up; and Nice Work If You Can Get It. Mr. Bryan is primarily known as the keyboardist for the popular rock band, Bon Jovi.

Riverside Theatre's production is directed and choreographed by Richard Stafford and stars Christopher Sutton as Huey Calhoun, Kimber Sprawl as Felicia Farrell, Philip Michael Baskerville as Delray Farrell, Travis Keith Battle as Gator, Nichalas Parker as Bobby, Mary Martello as Mama/Gladys, and Ron Wisniski as Mr. Simmons.

The ensemble cast includes: Sarah Buscaino, Jovan Dansberry, Christopher Deangelis, Drew Franklin, Holly Googe, Billy D. Hart, April Holloway, Jesse Jones, Gregory Omar Osborne, Kristen Pope, Fran Prisco, Kerri Rose and Edward C. Smith.

The design team includes: Ken Clifton (Music Director), Peter Barbieri (Scenic Designer), Gail Baldoni (Costume Designer), Jack Mehler (Lighting Designer), Craig Beyrooti (Sound Designer) with Ingrid Louise Olson (Stage Manager) and Amy M. Bertacini (Assistant Stage Manager). Casting was done in Philadelphia and New York City by Brian Kurtas, CSA.

Memphis performs tonight, April 7 through 26, 2015 on the Stark Stage at Riverside Theatre. Tickets start at $35. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Box Office at 772-231-6990 or online at www.riversidetheatre.com.

Memphis is a co-production between the Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia and Riverside Theatre in Vero Beach, FL. After a three week run at Riverside, Memphis begins performances in Philadelphia on May 12th and closes on July 12th.

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