Tony-Winning Musical Memphis Recoups Broadway Investment

The Tony-winning musical Memphis will recoup its initial $12 million investment on August 5, 2012, when the show plays its final Broadway performance at the Shubert Theatre. Currently starring Adam Pascal and original leading lady Montego Glover, Memphis opened on October 19, 2009, and will have played 30 previews and 1,166 regular performances at the time of closing. In addition to the Broadway production of Memphis, a national tour launched at the Orpheum Theatre in Memphis in October 2011, and planning is underway for a West End production of the musical.

Directed by Christopher Ashley and choreographed by Sergio Trujillo, Memphis features a score by Bon Jovi's David Bryan (music and lyrics) and Joe DiPietro (book and lyrics). The musical takes place in the smoky halls and underground clubs of the segregated ’50s, where a young white DJ named Huey Calhoun (Pascal) fell in love with everything he shouldn’t: rock and roll and an electrifying black singer (Glover).

In addition to Pascal and Glover, Memphis currently stars Derrick Baskin as Gator, J. Bernard Calloway as Delray, James Monroe Iglehart as Bobby, John Jellison as Mr. Simmons and Nancy Opel as Mama. Memphis won four 2010 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Original Score, Best Book and Best Orchestrations.