Memphis is an original musical and in my opinion, the best new musical of the season. The Book and Lyrics are by Joe DiPietro and the Music and Lyrics are by David Bryan. It was based on a concept by George W. George and it stars the very talented actor-singers Chad Kimball and Montego Glover. Both have very powerful voices. The cast is very large with Derrick Baskin, J. Bernard Calloway, James Iglehart, Michael McGrath and Cass Morgan all standing out. Both the singing and dancing are performed by a cast of accomplished performers. Sergio Trujillo did an exceptional job choreographing and was aided by the able direction of Christopher Ashley. The story crosses racial lines, taking place before Memphis was integrated. A white man, Huey, played by Chad Kimball visits the black side of town and hears the gifted singer Felicia, played by Montego Glover. Huey becomes a top disc jockey and the story and romance proceeds from there. The music is very infectious, encompassing rock and roll, Motown and Memphis sounds. I heard harmonies of groups like the Temptations and many female groups of the sixties and seventies along with sounds of James Brown and Chuck Berry. The songs written for the show are very powerful and can stand on their own and the story holds your interest throughout. A most enjoyable evening of musical theater that would work for the entire family, from the older through younger members.
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