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MemphisOpening Date: Oct 19, 2009
Closing Date: August 5, 2012 Air date: April 28, 2011 Medium: cinema, internet Where to watch: DVD, Blu-Ray (as an Amazon Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases from these links), YouTube and Broadway on Demand |
Stage Production Notes
Memphis is an original musical about the power of music to overcome racial divides in 1950s America. After an initial reading at TheatreWorks in California, the show received its world premier at North Shore Music Theatre in 2003. Memphis was further developed through productions at La Jolla Playhouse in Los Angeles in 2008 and the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle in early 2009.
The show received lukewarm critical reviews, but enthusiastic responses from audiences.
Shortly after the Seattle run, it was officially announced Memphis would transfer to Broadway. Following a month of previews, the show opened at the Shubert Theatre on October 19, 2009. It played 1165 performances, closing on August 5, 2012.
The Broadway production received lukewarm critical reviews. The New York Times described it as “the Michael Bolton of Broadway musicals,” and “formulaic entertainment.” While dismissing the cliched plot, critics generally praised Sergio Trujillo’s energetic choreography and the performances of the cast.
Despite a lack of critical praise, Memphis continued to appeal to the general public and played to packed houses on Broadway and on national tour.
The Broadway production was nominated for multiple awards, including 8 Tony Awards. It won Best Book of a Musical, Best Orchestrations, Best Original Score, and Best Musical.
Chicago Tribune theatre critic Chris Jones felt that the touring production was more successful than the Broadway production, as stronger casting of the lead role shifted the dynamic between the leads — Huey, a white DJ, and Felicia, a black singer — giving more power to Felicia.
A West End production opened in October 2014 at the Shaftesbury Theatre and ran for just over a year.
Memphis is an original musical about the power of music to overcome racial divides in 1950s America. After an initial reading at TheatreWorks in California, the show received its world premier at North Shore Music Theatre in 2003. Memphis was further developed through productions at La Jolla Playhouse in Los Angeles in 2008 and the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle in early 2009.
The show received lukewarm critical reviews, but enthusiastic responses from audiences.
Shortly after the Seattle run, it was officially announced Memphis would transfer to Broadway. Following a month of previews, the show opened at the Shubert Theatre on October 19, 2009. It played 1165 performances, closing on August 5, 2012.
The Broadway production received lukewarm critical reviews. The New York Times described it as “the Michael Bolton of Broadway musicals,” and “formulaic entertainment.” While dismissing the cliched plot, critics generally praised Sergio Trujillo’s energetic choreography and the performances of the cast.
Despite a lack of critical praise, Memphis continued to appeal to the general public and played to packed houses on Broadway and on national tour.
The Broadway production was nominated for multiple awards, including 8 Tony Awards. It won Best Book of a Musical, Best Orchestrations, Best Original Score, and Best Musical.
Chicago Tribune theatre critic Chris Jones felt that the touring production was more successful than the Broadway production, as stronger casting of the lead role shifted the dynamic between the leads — Huey, a white DJ, and Felicia, a black singer — giving more power to Felicia.
A West End production opened in October 2014 at the Shaftesbury Theatre and ran for just over a year.
Filmed Production Notes
Memphis was filmed on Broadway between 18-21 January in 2011 by NCM Fathom and Broadway Worldwide.
Beginning April 28, 2011, the live capture had a week-only limited release in cinemas under the title “Memphis: Direct from Broadway.” With the release, Memphis became the first Broadway musical to be filmed live and released in cinemas whilst running on Broadway.
Memphis was briefly available to stream on Netflix, and shortly after released on DVD and Blu-Ray.
Memphis aired on American television on PBS’ Great Performances in February 2012.
The live recording has received positive reviews. In a user review for blu-ray.com Robert Siegel wrote,
Memphis was filmed on Broadway between 18-21 January in 2011 by NCM Fathom and Broadway Worldwide.
Beginning April 28, 2011, the live capture had a week-only limited release in cinemas under the title “Memphis: Direct from Broadway.” With the release, Memphis became the first Broadway musical to be filmed live and released in cinemas whilst running on Broadway.
Memphis was briefly available to stream on Netflix, and shortly after released on DVD and Blu-Ray.
Memphis aired on American television on PBS’ Great Performances in February 2012.
The live recording has received positive reviews. In a user review for blu-ray.com Robert Siegel wrote,
This is how a Broadway show should be taped. I have never watched a program where I felt that I was in the theater watching a live performance like I did with this disc.”
Memphis is now available to watch on DVD, Blu-Ray (as an Amazon Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases from these links), and stream on YouTube, and Broadway on Demand.
Memphis PRODUCTION CREDITS
Theatre: Shubert Theatre
Producer: Bruce Brandwen, Lesley Jill Nathan, Nicholas Van Hoogstraten, Junkyard Productions
Book and Lyrics: Joe DiPietro
Music and Lyrics: David Bryan
Director: Christopher Ashley, film: Don Roy King
Musical Director: Kenny Seymour
Orchestrations: Daryl Waters, David Bryan
Dance arrangements and incidental music: August Eriksmoen
Choreography: Sergio Trujillo
Scenic Design: David Gallo
Costume Design: Paul Tazewell
Lighting Design: Howell Binkley
Sound Design: Ken Travis
Hair and Wig Design: Charles G. LaPointe
Make-Up Design: Angelina Avallone
Stage Manager: Gary Mickelson, Janet Takami, Alexis Shorter
Conductor: Kenny Seymour
Cast: Chad Kimball (Huey), Montego Glover (Felicia), Derrick Baskin (Gator), J. Bernard Calloway (Delray), James Monroe Iglehart (Bobby), Michael McGrath (Mr. Simmons), Cass Morgan (Mama), Ensemble: Jennifer Allen, Brad Bass, Tracee Beazer, Tanya Birl, Kevin Covert, Preson W. Dugger III, Hillary Elk, Dionne Figgins, Bahiyah Sayyed Gaines, Rhett George, Todrick Hall, Robert Hartwell, John Jellison, Brian Langlitz, Kyle Leland, Paul McGill, Andy Mills, Betsy Stuxness, Dan’Yelle Williamson
Theatre: Shubert Theatre
Producer: Bruce Brandwen, Lesley Jill Nathan, Nicholas Van Hoogstraten, Junkyard Productions
Book and Lyrics: Joe DiPietro
Music and Lyrics: David Bryan
Director: Christopher Ashley, film: Don Roy King
Musical Director: Kenny Seymour
Orchestrations: Daryl Waters, David Bryan
Dance arrangements and incidental music: August Eriksmoen
Choreography: Sergio Trujillo
Scenic Design: David Gallo
Costume Design: Paul Tazewell
Lighting Design: Howell Binkley
Sound Design: Ken Travis
Hair and Wig Design: Charles G. LaPointe
Make-Up Design: Angelina Avallone
Stage Manager: Gary Mickelson, Janet Takami, Alexis Shorter
Conductor: Kenny Seymour
Cast: Chad Kimball (Huey), Montego Glover (Felicia), Derrick Baskin (Gator), J. Bernard Calloway (Delray), James Monroe Iglehart (Bobby), Michael McGrath (Mr. Simmons), Cass Morgan (Mama), Ensemble: Jennifer Allen, Brad Bass, Tracee Beazer, Tanya Birl, Kevin Covert, Preson W. Dugger III, Hillary Elk, Dionne Figgins, Bahiyah Sayyed Gaines, Rhett George, Todrick Hall, Robert Hartwell, John Jellison, Brian Langlitz, Kyle Leland, Paul McGill, Andy Mills, Betsy Stuxness, Dan’Yelle Williamson
Sources
- Misha Berson, “Theater review | “Memphis” musical is promising, but story line needs work,” Seattle Times (Feb 6, 2009)
- Michael Billington, “Memphis: The Musical review – Beverley Knight shines in story of R&B’s explosion,” The Guardian (Oct 23, 2014)
- Jonathan Handel, “It’s a Play! It’s Live Internet TV! It’s Both, and it Opens in Los Angeles on Friday,” The Hollywood Reporter (Nov 6, 2014)
- Adam Hetrick, “Rock Musical Memphis to Arrive on Broadway in Fall 2009,” Playbill (March 4, 2009)
- Adam Hetrick, “Tony-Winning Musical Memphis Hits Screens April 28; Five of Them Are in NYC,” Playbill (April 28, 2011)
- Adam Hetrick, “Broadway's Memphis Film Available for Streaming on Netflix,” Playbill (July 26, 2011)
- Charles Isherwood, “A D.J. Who Shook, Rattled and Rolled,” New York Times (Oct 19, 2009)
- Chris Jones, “'Memphis' knows how to have a good time,” Chicago Tribune (Nov 23, 2011)
- Noel Murray, “Memphis: The Original Broadway Production,” A.V. Club (Jan 25, 2012)
- Frank Rizzo, “Review: ‘Memphis’,” Variety (Oct 8, 2003)
- Blu-Ray.com, “Memphis: The Original Broadway Production Blu-ray” Accessed via: http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Memphis-The-Original-Broadway-Production-Blu-ray/31395/#UserReviews
- The Fremantle Corporation, “DIRECT FROM BROADWAY - MEMPHIS,” Accessed via: http://fremantlecorp.com/categories/arts-and-entertainment/direct-from-broadway-memphis.aspx
- Internet Broadway Database, Memphis, Accessed via: https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/memphis-484158
- PBS: Great Performances, “Memphis: About the Musical Theater Broadcast,” Accessed via: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/memphis-about-the-musical-theater-broadcast/1250/# (Feb 23, 2012)
- Playbill, “Memphis” Accessed via: http://www.playbill.com/production/memphis-shubert-theatre-vault-0000010460
Written by Luisa Lyons (February, 2017)