MEMPHIS Heads to Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, March 13-25

MEMPHIS, the 2010 Tony Award winner for Best Musical will be presented by the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts for two weeks, March 13-25, as part of the Ordway's 2011-2012 Theater Season.

The production will star Bryan Fenkart (Huey) and Felicia Boswell (Felicia) with Quentin Earl Darrington (Delray), Rhett George (Gator), Julie Johnson (Mama), Will Mann (Bobby), and William Parry (Mr. Simmons).

Critically acclaimed MEMPHIS won four 2010 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Original Score (David Bryan and Joe DiPietro), Best Book (Joe DiPietro), and Best Orchestrations (David Bryan and Daryl Waters). MEMPHIS won four Drama Desk Awards including Outstanding Musical, Outstanding Performance by an Actress (Montego Glover), Outstanding Music (David Bryan) and Outstanding Orchestration (David Bryan and Daryl Waters). MEMPHIS has also won four Outer Critic Circle Awards including Outstanding Musical, Outstanding Score (David Bryan & Joe DiPietro), Outstanding Actress (Montego Glover) and Outstanding Choreography (Sergio Trujillo).

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 'n' 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 company includes Chelsey Arce, Evan Autio, Bree Branker, Whitney Leigh Brown, Whitney Cooper, Scott Difford, Christopher Gurr, Daisy Hobbs, Crystal Joy, Kyle Leland, Jarvis D. McKinley, Happy McPartlin, Kenna Michelle Morris, Jill Morrison, Austin Owen, Kent Overshown, Alfie Parker Jr., Justin Prescott, Jody Reynard, Peter Matthew Smith and Derek St. Pierre.

The show features a brand-new Tony winning score with music by Bon Jovi's founding member and keyboardist Bryan, and lyrics by Bryan and DiPietro ("I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change"), who also pens the musical's book. Bryan and DiPietro also collaborated on the 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 Trujillo, who is currently represented by three shows on Broadway ("Memphis," "Jersey Boys" and "The Addams Family").

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 by Ken Travis ("The Threepenny Opera").

The national tour of "Memphis" is produced by Junkyard Dog Productions, Barbara and Buddy Freitag, and Marleen and Kenny Alhadeff, with Latitude Link, Jim and Susan Blair, Demos Bizar Entertainment, Land Line Productions, Richard Winkler, Alex and Katya Lukianov, David Copley, Dancap Productions, Inc., 2 Guys Productions, Patty Baker, and Dan Frishwasser, in association with Eric and Marsi Gardiner, Linda and Bill Potter, Broadway Across America, Memphis Orpheum Group, Vijay and Sita Vashee, Apples and Oranges Productions, Brian and Betty Dovey, John Yonover and Ron Yonover, Loraine Boyle/Chase Mishkin, Remmel T. Dickinson/Shadowcatcher Entertainment, Jocko Productions/Scott and Kayla Union.

An Ordway Extra will take place one hour before the show on March 14 and 21, with the topic being "The Roots of Rock 'n' Roll." The Ordway will also host a talkback for "Memphis" on March 14 and 21 directly following the performance. The talkbacks will be Q&A sessions about the show with members of the cast and creative team.

Tickets and more information: www.ordway.org

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