In a previous blog, I wrote about how my daughter and I share the joy of writing. She specializes in reviewing Broadway shows and these are the kind of articles she writes for her school newspaper. Here is her review of the show "Memphis".
"Hockadoo!" Broadway's Memphis is sure to be a hit!
If you got any of those flyers that say "His Vision...Her Voice..The birth of Rock N'Roll", then it is advertising the new Broadway musical Memphis. The flyer tells the summary of the show. With an incredible original score written by David Bryan of Bon Jovi, and Joe DiPietro, who also wrote the story line, Memphis will have people dancing in the seats with this type of music.
When you enter the Shubert Theater, you are instantly transported to the turbulent 1950's, where there is harsh discrimination against African Americans in the city of Memphis, Tennessee. After seeing two different radio stations (one for whites and the other for African Americnas, the audience is taken to an underground club on Beale Street owned by Delray (J.Bernard Calloway). Also at the club are quiet bartender Gator (Derrick Baskin) and Bobby (James Monroe Iglehart). The star that everyone in the club wants to see is Delray's sister, Felicia Farrell (Montego Glover), a singer who is trying to get out of underground clubs, get out a record and become a star. One day, Memphis local Huey Calhoun (Chad Kimball), a fan of R&B music, comes into the club after listening to them singing; he doesn't care that he is the only white one there. He wants to put Felicia's music on the radio-- even though Delray does not trust him. He keeps trying to get people to listen to music that he claims is "the music of my soul". Many radio stations refuse to play "race records" on the radio because they only play what white people want to listen to. With some crafty work on Huey's part, music from African Americans appears on the radio and teenagers fall in love with it. While all of this is going on, Felicia and Huey fall in love, but they don't know if the world is ready to accept their type of relationship just yet.
Creators David Bryan and Joe DiPietro did a great job on the story, music and touching lyrics. I have to say they have not only the best singing, but also the best dancing I have ever seen, especially with Sergio Trujillo's choreography (whose works have included the recent revival of Guys and Dolls, Jersey Boys and All Shook Up). The sets are amazing and stand out very well. Plus, I like the use of projecting pieces onto the backdrop (like newspapers and video).
The cast is amazing and energetic throughout the entire show. Chad Kimball made Huey so interesting to listen to (especially with a good Southern accent) and to watch. A huge number, "Memphis Lives In Me", had the crowd on their feet. He was very realistic looking and sounding. Montego Glover acted the role of Felicia pretty good but, when she sings her songs like her big solo "Colored Woman", she blows the roof off the theater. J.Bernard Calloway is what I call an outstanding actor and singer because he could really get emotions out of the audience as he is acting and singing together. Derrick Baskin was a standout in this show. He is quiet at first but then, he spoke out and it will shock you as it did some audience members around me. James Monroe Inglehart blew me away not only with his acting, but with his singing and dancing in his standout song "Big Love". The ensemble, I have to say, is one of the best I have seen on Broadway!
Memphis currently plays at the Shubert Theatre located on 225 West 44th Street. If you want to get tickets the cheaper way, they have a $26.50 student rush when the box office opens. (See my other article about ways of getting cheaper tickets on page 7). You will love Memphis so much. You will be dying to get their cast album.
*******
My daughter wrote 4 other articles in this issue of their school paper. Not once did she complain about the work she had to do. In fact, I think she enjoyed doing it. Maybe I'll post her other reviews. She always adds advice on how to get the absolute cheapest tickets for these shows (fabulous seats too). Thank you for reading this blog and for allowing a proud mother to show her daughter's work.
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