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“Memphis” ends road on Broadway

It’s been a long time coming, but “Memphis” the musical has finally made its way onto Broadway. After touring off Broadway around the country since the 2003-04 season, the musical opened in New York on October 19, 2009 and audiences are loving it.

The story revolves around the birth of rock n’ roll and racism in the South. It’s an original story – one not based on a movie, play. The idea for the musical developed from the imagination of George W. George who based the concept on stories of white DJs in the 1950s South who used to cause controversy by playing black music on their radio stations. (George W. George is the veteran Broadway producer of 1960s fame from shows like “Any Wednesday” and “My Dinner With Andre.”)

A love story unfolds in the smoky underground clubs of Memphis in the segregated 1950s. A young white DJ named Huey Calhoun can’t help loving rhythm and blues which he plays for mainstream white audiences and stirs up controversy. His passion for soul music is embodied in a vibrant African-American singer named Felicia Farrell with whom he falls deeply in love. Though the path for this interracial couple is riddled with obstacles, eventually the combination of his drive and her talent lead to the explosion of rock ‘n roll during this era. It’s an imaginative story about how love can change music forever and speaks to the significant cultural revolution that rock n’ roll was.

Memphis has closed every show to audiences standing on their feet. The music in the performance is inspiring to everyone and strikes a chord with Americans since rock n’ roll is such a big part of our musical history and culture. It’s something profound that unites us as a society.

Additionally, the musical carries extra heart since the two leads Chad Kimball (playing DJ Huey) and Montego Glover (as singer Felicia) are part of the musical’s original cast in pre-Broadway productions. They’ve never played leading roles on Broadway before but they’re wow-ing the crowds.

Watch the clip below of one of the musical numbers called “Music of My Soul.” It’s written by David Bryan (the keyboardist from Bon Jovi). Interestingly, it started as a humble  sample from Bryan in the early days of drafting the musical that made it into the final production. Chad Kimball sings it with Bryan accompanying on piano: