Memphis Star Chad Kimball Makes Room for Memories

“We’re cozying up here at the Shubert,” Chad Kimball says as he welcomes Broadway.com to his dressing room. Onstage, Kimball is wowing audiences with his passionate portrayal of 1950s deejay Huey Calhoun in the new musical Memphis. Backstage, the actor surrounds himself with keepsakes and mementoes from earlier shows, all neatly displayed on a spotless white dressing table. Here, Kimball describes five items that make his space feel “a little more like home.”

Photo by Jenny Anderson for Broadway.com

 
"Jim, my dresser, gave me this orchid. It brings an amazing amount of color to this side of the room, and it just reminds me of how much he takes care of me and is always there when I need him."

 
"My snow globe—with the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty and Chrysler Building inside—was a birthday gift from our fight director during rehearsals. He said, ‘I’m giving you New York because you guys are going to own it.’ That was very, very sweet."

 
"This marble coaster has the famous picture of John Lennon in his New York City T-shirt and dark glasses. I love it because it reminds me of the wonderful family we had during the musical Lennon. It also reminds me of John’s passionate assertiveness."

 
"My ‘Milky White’ placard, in the green and gold color palette of the Into the Woods revival, was on the board that lists the cast. It reminds me that I used to wear a [cow] puppet mask, get down on all fours and have hand problems. Humble beginnings!"

 
"Ian McKellen used my dressing room during the Only Make Believe benefit in November, and he left me this note that says, ‘Chad, many thanks for the loan of your room. Enjoy your triumph, Ian McKellen.’ I kept it because I’m a little bit starstruck—and he sat in my chair.”