Memphis set for St. Paul

Memphis, the 2010 Tony Award winner for Best Musical is 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.

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).

"As a multi-Tony Award-winning production with accolades that have been taking the press by storm, Broadway's 'Memphis' is a musical we are proud to present and bring to this community," said Patricia A. Mitchell, Ordway's president and CEO. "The Ordway will truly be 'turning up the dial' in welcoming this production."

"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. Come along on their incredible journey to the ends of the airwaves - filled with laughter, soaring emotion and roof-raising rock 'n' roll.

Starring 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). 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").

David Richardson of WOR Radio calls "Memphis:" "The biggest hit on Broadway," while Charles Isherwood of The New York Times says: "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 raves: "Of such thrills, Broadway is made," and Newsday calls the show: "A smash! An extraordinary show." The Daily News promises that "Memphis" will: "Blast you out the door humming and happy" and NY1's Roma Torre cheers: "MEMPHIS ROCKS!"

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