Memphis is a knock-out!

 

Wunderkind Mykai Eastman and veteran director Billie McBride co-direct this production of Memphis at Town Hall Arts Center in Littleton. Their stage direction of the piece together with their impeccable casting and steady pace make the show unmissable. Mr. Eastman, who assistant directed “The Color Purple” for the Denver Center Theatre Company, also designed the thrilling choreography for this show.

     Award-winning musical theatre actor Carter Edward Smith turns in a spectacular performance in the role of Huey Calhoun, the rebellious disc jockey who popularized songs by black artists in the racially divided Memphis of the 1950s.

      Krisangela Washington is a gorgeous triple threat knock-out as Felicia Farrell, the sexy black singer that Huey falls for at Delray’s black rock n’ roll bar on Beale Street. 

     This incredibly talented artist needs to be cast as a leading lady much more often! It was a delight to see - and hear - her onstage in this role.

     The excellent casting includes Denver favorites: John Ashton (Mr. Simmons), co-author of “Murder Most Fowl,” one of Denver’s longest running comedies, Rick Long (Marlowe Award for his portrayal of Big Daddy in Vintage Theatre’s “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,”) and Abby Apple Boes, who has just completed an astonishing performance starring in David Nehls’ “The Great American Trailer Park Musical” at Miners Alley Playhouse. 

      As Huey’s mother, Gladys, Abby Apple Boes astonishes in the acting and the vocals. 

  New to this reviewer, the other stand-outs in the cast are Jozeph Michaels as Felicia’s brother, Delray,  Joseph Sanford IV as Bobby and Preston “P-Jay” Adams as Gator.

     It’s wonderful to see John Mackey back at Town Hall in numerous supporting roles as well.

     By turns heart-opening and heart-breaking, MEMPHIS won four Tony awards in 2010.

     The show includes incredible rock n roll, wailin’ blues, and exhilarating gospel. 

     The costume design by Nicole M. Harrison is eye-popping indeed!

     Trent Hines’ music direction of this Tony Award winning score is excellent! 

     El Armstrong’s projection design keeps us up to date regarding place and time, as well as providing visuals of relevant news clippings.

    With lighting design by Kate Bashore, set by M. Curtis Grittner and sound design by Curt Behm, the technical end of things is primo.

     The music for MEMPHIS was composed by David Bryan with lyrics by Bryan and Joe DiPietro. The book for the musical was written by DiPietro.

     This musical won four Tony awards in 2010 including Best Musical, Best Original Score, Best Book for a Musical and Best Orchestrations.

          Do Not Miss This Show!!!

 

For tickets call   303-794-2787 ext. 5 or go online at townhallartscenter.org