New Musical Memphis Headed for Broadway in Fall 2009

Memphis, a new musical about the birth of rock & roll in the turbulent 1950s, is aiming to open on Broadway this fall. Based on a concept by producer George W. George Bedroom Farce, the film My Dinner With Andre, the show features a book and lyrics by Joe DiPietro I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, with music and lyrics by David Bryan, a founding member of the rock band Bon Jovi, who'll make his Broadway debut. Christopher Ashley will direct, with choreography by Sergio Trujillo. Details about cast, creative team, theater and opening date have yet to be announced.

Featuring an original score that mixes gospel, rhythm & blues, and early rock 'n' roll stylings with a contemporary sensibility, Memphis follows the fictionalized life story of Huey Calhoon, a young, white radio disc jockey growing up in Memphis, Tennessee in the 1950’s. Fueled by the music he hears in the black bars on Beale Street, Huey’s on-air antics and unstoppable enthusiasm for “race records” creates a new white audience for African-American music. Then he falls in love with a beautiful black singer, and his personal life transcends the race line, too, with grave consequences.

Memphis played a limited, sold-out engagement last year at La Jolla Playhouse from August 19 through September 28, 2008. It received San Diego’s Craig Noel Award for Outstanding New Musical of 2008 and one for Chad Kimball, who starred as Huey Calhoun. The show recently wrapped an engagement at Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre that played from January 27 through February 17.

DiPietro and Bryan are currently rehearsing the off-Broadway premiere of their musical adaptation of the cult film The Toxic Avenger, which stars previews at New World Stages on March 18, with an opening set for April 6.

Scenic design for Memphis is by Tony Award winner David Gallo The Drowsy Chaperone, Reasons to Be Pretty, costume design is by Tony nominee Paul Tazewell In The Heights and lighting design is by Tony Award winner Howell Binkley Jersey Boys.

Memphis will be produced on Broadway by Junkyard Dog Productions and Barbara and Buddy Freitag in association with Marleen and Kenny Alhadeff, Demos Bizar Entertainment and Dancap Productions.