Portland, September 12th. Theatre goers are singing the praises of the toe-tapping Tony Award winning musical, Memphis, which took the the stage on Tuesday night. The Broadway touring company of Memphis, which is presented by Portland Opera Presents Broadway Across America , will be playing at the Keller Auditorium Through September 16th.
Felicia Boswell and Quentin Earl Darrington in the National Tour. (Photo Credit, Paul Kolnik.)
Tony awards for the Memphis in 2010 included:
BEST MUSICAL
BEST BOOK – Joe DiPietro
BEST SCORE – Joe DiPietro and David Bryan
BEST ORCHESTRATIONS – Daryl Waters and David Bryan
There’s the story:
From the underground dance clubs of 1950’s Memphis, Tennessee, comes a hot new Broadway 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 white radio DJ who wants to change the world and a black club singer who is ready for her big break. Come along on their incredible journey to the ends of the airwaves-filled with laughter, soaring emotion and roof-raising rock ‘n’ roll. Winner of four 2010 Tony Awards including Best Musical, MEMPHIS, which played pre-Broadway at the La Jolla Playhouse, features a Tony-winning book by Joe DiPietro “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” and a Tony-winning original score with music by Bon Jovi founding member David Bryan. Directing is Tony nominee Christopher Ashley (XANADU), and choreography is by Sergio Trujillo (JERSEY BOYS). Get ready to experience Broadway’s most exciting new destination, what AP calls “The very essence of what a Broadway musical should be.”
www.MemphistheMusical.com
*Editor’s note:
We saw Memphis on Broadway and it was amazing. A cast member is our college friend, Elizabeth Ward, so we got to go backstage and see the behind the scenes of the Broadway launching pad of Memphis! A wonderful experience.