Photo Flash: Kimber Sprawl and Christopher Sutton Lead MEMPHIS, Opening Tonight at Walnut Street Theatre

Walnut Street Theatre concludes its landmark 206th season with Broadway's rockin' Tony Award-winning Best Musical, MEMPHIS. Directed and choreographed by Richard Stafford, this exhilarating musical began previews on May 12th, opens tonight, May 20th and runs through July 12th on the WST Mainstage. BroadwayWorld has a look at the cast in action below!

From the underground dance clubs of 1950s Memphis, Tennessee, comes a hot new musical that bursts off the stage with explosive dancing, irresistible songs and a thrilling tale of fame and forbidden love. Inspired by actual events, MEMPHIS is about a radio DJ who wants to change the world and a club singer who is ready for her big break. The show features an original score by Bon Jovi's David Bryan that evokes the powerhouse funk of JAmes Brown, the hot guitar riffs of Chuck Berry, the smooth harmonies of the Temptations and the silken, bouncy pop of the great girl groups of the period. It's time for the roof-raising rock 'n' roll musical, MEMPHIS!

Disc Jockey Dewey Phillips was one of the first white DJs to play black music in Memphis during the 1950s. His story inspired David Bryan (music and lyrics) and Joe DiPietro (book, music and lyrics) to write the sensational musical MEMPHIS. Bryan is a founding member and keyboardist of the legendary band Bon Jovi. Among DiPietro's credits is Living on Love, currently running on Broadway starring Renée Flemming, All Shook Up and Off-Broadway's longest running production I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change (book and lyrics). The pair first teamed up for The Toxic Avenger which opened Off-Broadway in April, 2009. Their latest project, Chasing the Song, had its world premiere last year at La Jolla Playhouse.

Richard Stafford returns to the Walnut as director and choreographer. Scenic Designer Peter Barbieri will lead the design team in transporting the audience back to the 50s with underground nightclubs filled with passion and celebration and a DJ booth ready to rock the nation. Barbieri is making his Walnut debut, along with Lighting Designer Jack Mehler, Costume Designer Gail Baldoni and Sound Designer David Temby.

Christopher Sutton returns to the Walnut as Huey Calhoun. Audiences will remember Sutton from his performances on the Walnut's mainstage as Buddy the Elf in the wildly popular show Elf and as Buddy Holly in The Buddy Holly Story. Most recently, Sutton was seen in the Independence Studio on 3 in I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, which he also directed. Kimber Sprawl makes her Walnut debut in her dream role, Felicia Farrell. Sprawl's credits include Velma Kelly in Chicago at The Carnegie, Pilar in Legally Blonde at Music Theatre Wichita and The Addams Family at The Muny.

Philip Michael Baskerville returns to the Walnut as Delray Farrell after his unforgettable performance as John in Miss Saigon. Mary Martello, recently seen at the Walnut in Mary Poppins, returns as Huey's Mama, Gladys Calhoun. Nichalas Parker, a former Walnut Acting Apprentice, makes his mainstage debut as Bobby. Ron Wisniski and Travis Keith Battle make their Walnut debuts as Mr. Simmons and Gator, respectively.

The ensemble includes Christopher Deangelis (Evita), Drew Franklin (How to Succeed...), Billy D. Hart (9 to 5 the Musical), Kristyn Pope (Finnians Rainbow), Fran Prisco (9 to 5 the Musical) and Kerri Rose (Mary Poppins). Ensemble members Sarah Buscaino, Jovan Dansberry, Holly Googe, April Holloway, Jesse Jones, Gregory Omar Osborne and Edward C. Smith will make their Walnut debuts in this production.

MEMPHIS runs at the Walnut through July 12. For tickets and information, call 215-574-3550 or 800-982-2787. Tickets are also available online 24/7 by visiting www.WalnutStreetTheatre.org or Ticketmaster.