Total Rating: 
***
Previews: 
September 23, 2009
Opened: 
October 19, 2009
Ended: 
open run
Country: 
USA
State: 
New York
City: 
New York
Company/Producers: 
Junkyard Dog Productions, Barbara Freitag, Buddy Freitag, Kenny & Marleen Alhadeff, Latitude Link, Demos Bizar Entertainment, Dancap USA Productions, Jim & Susan Blair, Lauren Doll, Tony Ponturo, in association w/ Patty Baker.
Theater Type: 
Broadway
Theater: 
Shubert Theater
Theater Address: 
225 West 44th Street
Genre: 
Musical
Author: 
Conceived: George W. George; Music: David Bryan; Book: Joe DiPietro; Lyrics: David Bryan & Joe DiPietro
Director: 
Christopher Ashley
Choreographer: 
Sergio Trujillo
Review: 

 Memphis, with book by Joe DiPietro, lyrics by DiPietro and David Bryan and music by Bryan, is a cookin' rock-n'-roll show with a splattering of gospel. The story about getting into the music business is simplistic, but the singing is terrific and the music will get you. Also, since I was a very early – maybe premature – Civil Rights campaigner in Georgia, the story of forbidden love in the `60's (black and white) has special resonance for me.

The entire cast is adept and exciting, and the two leads, Chad Kimball and Montego Glover are powerful charismatic singers; the dancers are as flexible as Slinkies. Directed with zip and flair by Christopher Ashley, excitingly choreographed by Sergio Trujillo on David Gallo's active, multi-level set, Memphis is good, toe-tapping entertainment.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TKmAJ_LQ4YI/SlQOhDU9YaI/AAAAAAAAHZI/YtGa4SeT9Co/S1600-R/memphis-head.jpg

Cast: 
Chad Kimball, Montego Glover, J. Bernard Calloway, James Monroe Iglehart, Cass Morgan, Derrick Baskin, Michael McGrath, Jennifer Allen, Brad Bass, Tracee Beazer, Kevin Covert, Hillary Elk, Dionne Figgins, Rhett George, John Jellison, Sydney Morton, Vivian Nixon, John Eric Parker, Jermaine R. Rembert, LaQuet Sharnell, Ephraim Sykes, Cary Tedder, Danny Tidwell, Daniel J. Watts, Katie Webber, Charlie Williams, Dan'yelle Williamson
Technical: 
Music Supervisor: Chris Jahnke. Set: David Gallo; Costumes: Paul Tazewell; Lighting: Howell Binkley.
Critic: 
Richmond Shepard
Date Reviewed: 
October 2009