'Memphis' Lives in Us: The Official Love Thread - Page 5

[broadwaymarty]

Posted: 6/24/10 at 10:27pm

I've said it before and I'll say it again as it's been said "give the Tonys back to Broadway" Montego should have won!

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 6/25/10 at 1:02am

BroadwayMarty, congrats on being the 100th post. Yes, it would've been great to see Montego win the Tony, but rather than rehash that debate (which a few other threads on this message board already cover), this is a love thread, so let's focus on the positive. She tied with a movie star (Catherine Zeta-Jones) for both the Outer Critics and Drama Desk, and got a Tony nomination for originating her first role on Broadway. By the way, here's a TV reminder: Montego will appear July 2 on ABC in the special 'America Celebrates July 4th at Ford's Theatre,' which was taped a few weeks ago. She'll be singing 'Colored Woman' from 'Memphis.'

Meantime, since its box office has jumped, I'd love to hear from new (or old) fans who've been to 'Memphis' since the Tonys.

Updated On: 6/25/10 at 01:02 AM

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 6/25/10 at 1:17am

I love the show too. I'm thrilled that it won the Tony!

[broadwaymarty]

Posted: 6/25/10 at 12:56pm

Sorry Wayman, Iknow it's a rehash and I feel that this is a roll Montego created from the very beginning and she does it RATHER WELL and she deserved to win.
That aside, in my travellings throughout the theater community I'm hard pressed to find people who don't LOVE this show (some of these boards aside)and thank you Wayman for creating this thread!

[AudreyTwoTwo]

Posted: 6/25/10 at 1:19pm

I LOVE MEMPHIS! I saw it a few days before it opened and I thought it was absolutely amazing. The dancing was great, the music was wonderful and I LOVED everything about it. HOCKADOO!

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 7/1/10 at 11:29pm

June has been bustin' out all over at the box office. For the first time, 'Memphis' cracked the top 10 of the highest-grossing shows on Broadway.

Here are its grosses in June, followed by house capacity:

May 31-June 6: $539,905; 68%
June 7-13: $696,982; 82%
June 14-20: $835,071; 86%
June 21-27: $923,861; 91%

What a difference a month, and some Tonys make. To go up almost $400,000 a week within a month and over 20% capacity? Wow!

Congrats to the creators, cast and crew who've always believed in 'Memphis,' and the fans, both new and old, whether you sat in the front row or the front balcony. The funny thing is: It's the same show it's always been, but it's taken the Tonys to open other people's eyes, and ears and hearts.

If you've been to the Shubert lately, the audience is ready to 'Tear Down the House' with enthusiasm, especially during the encore of 'Steal Your Rock 'n' Roll.' Now 'Memphis' lives in them, and speaking of that song, Broadway.com recently posted its exclusive music video of it, and here it is ...

(And have a happy 4th of July weekend, and hockadoo!)





Broadway.com: Exclusive music video of 'Memphis Lives in Me' Updated On: 7/1/10 at 11:29 PM

[ACL2006]

Posted: 7/2/10 at 12:24am

have they started selling SRO since its selling out on the weekends??

also, I noticed Paul McGill has joined the cast. Is he a swing and does he u/s anyone??

[notthatgirl75]

Posted: 7/2/10 at 1:25pm

I am headed to NYC in less than 10 days!!! I love the music from Memphis and I can't wait to see the show. What is the rush like? Where are the rush seats located? Thanks!

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 7/4/10 at 11:08pm

To answer some questions: 'Memphis' only sells standing room if the house is completely sold out; if so, tickets are $21.50.

Paul McGill, whom you might've seen as Mark in the last revival of 'A Chorus Line,' has joined the cast of 'Memphis.' He's filled in for Charlie Williams and other actors lately; Charlie sprained his ankle, so he's been out of the show for the past couple of weeks. Meantime, we're hoping for a speedy recovery.

The rush seats are usually the very first row (AA) of the center orchestra; on occasion, they will include the AA seats on the sides. In order to get them, you must buy them as soon as the box office opens; they're $26.50 apiece. But they are also being sold as partial view in advance (at $66 or so). Since the Tonys, they've been more in demand. If you want them, it's best to get up even earlier to be in line. Box office usually opens at 10 a.m., except at noon on Sunday.

Hope y'all got to see Montego Glover sing 'Colored Woman' on Friday on ABC on 'America Celebrates the Fourth of July at Ford's Theatre' in D.C. She killed it, and President Obama and Michelle Obama were in the audience. When asked about it last week, Montego told us: 'It was the chance of a lifetime. It was a major, major, major life happening, and they're lovely.'

You can also see Montego AND Chad in this recent clip from 'LX New York,' which went backstage post-Tonys at 'Memphis.'

Speaking of talented singers, 'Memphis' ' own Bryan Fenkart, who's gone on as Huey a number of times now, will headline his own show on Monday, July 12, at 9:30 p.m. at the Bitter End in NYC. He'll be doing original songs from his CD, 'Imperfect Man,' and for more details, visit Bryan's Twitter and Facebook.

Last tidbit: We hear that the TV show 'The Apprentice' was filming at the Shubert; anybody know anything about that?





'LX New York' visits 'Memphis' backstage with Chad & Montego Updated On: 7/5/10 at 11:08 PM

[Freakyfreak]

Posted: 7/5/10 at 1:18am

you`re sure they are completely sold out? (I doubt that, but would be happy if so...)

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 7/5/10 at 11:28pm

FreakyFreak, you might've misread my posting. I never said 'Memphis' is 'completely sold out.' I said they sell standing room only IF a performance is completely sold out. I hear they were a handful of seats shy of that on the Fourth of July, but since they weren't totally sold out, they weren't selling SRO. (I've run into this same policy at other theaters.)

Meantime, here's the YouTube clip of Montego Glover singing 'Colored Woman' from the Ford's Theatre's Fourth of July special on ABC-TV.


YouTube: Montego Glover sings 'Colored Woman' at D.C. gala Updated On: 7/7/10 at 11:28 PM

[DRSLOL776]

Posted: 7/7/10 at 4:30pm

Tonight is Memphis’s 300th performance! I would like to say congratulations to the cast and crew for their 300th performance!! Every single one of you ROCK!!!

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 7/16/10 at 8:05am

Congrats to Chad Kimball! It was officially announced the other day that he'll be performing for President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama in D.C. this Monday (July 19), along with Nathan Lane, Audra McDonald, Tonya Pinkins, Idina Menzel and Brian d'Arcy James. It's part of the White House's 'In Performance' series; it'll be shot for PBS and air Oct. 20 (just one day after the one-year anniversary of 'Memphis' on Broadway!). Coming on the heels of Montego Glover's performance at the Ford's Theatre, and Michelle's own visit to the show on Broadway, it sounds like 'Memphis' is a real fave of the First Family.

Meantime, Playbill.com has just released the first 2 parts of a three-part series of Chad shooting backstage stuff at 'Memphis.' You can watch him goofing on cast members, and see one of his quickest costume changes in the show. Hockadoo!

P.S. Anyone make it to 'Broadway in Bryant Park' concert yesterday (July 15)? 'Memphis' was one of the featured shows; who sang, and what did they sing? Hope the heat and humidity weren't too bad. Thanks for any reports or info!


Playbill.com: Backstage at 'Memphis' Updated On: 7/16/10 at 08:05 AM

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 7/18/10 at 1:38am

For those that didn't know, Howard Stern briefly talked about Memphis this past Thursday. For those that don't know, Howard is friends with David Bryan and often joked about that he dismissed David's urgings to see readings or out-of-town tryouts of his "hobby". Cut to Howard's wife Beth Ostrosky (theatre fan and ex of Michael Cerveris), who saw the show and said it was "phenomenal" and wants Howard to come see it with her again. So there you go!

[shrekster224]

Posted: 7/19/10 at 7:11am

For chad's mini vacation, Bryan Fenkart will be Huey Tuesday and Wednesday, and Brad Bass is getting to go on Thursday and Friday!

[notthatgirl75]

Posted: 7/20/10 at 1:03pm

I saw Memphis on Thursday!!! It was wonderful!!! I cried, laughed and danced. This show was so deserving of the Tony. I was just wondering why people down it so much? It is so inspiring and uplifting. Been singing Memphis lives in me for days now...lol.

[shrekster224]

Posted: 7/20/10 at 4:50pm

For those of you following the show since the beginning, who was the original Huey understudy, that was neither Brad or Bryan?

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 7/20/10 at 11:36pm

In the Spotlight: In 'Memphis,' audiences flip for one dazzling dynamo of a dancer who literally flips for them: Cary Tedder. During the musical numbers of 'Scratch My Itch' and 'Radio,' the 5-foot-8 native from Marietta, Ga., and Univ. of Michigan grad does handstands and backflips. Along with his fleet-footed colleagues, he was nominated for an Astaire Award for the best dancing on Broadway. Though Tedder, 23, was a swing in 'The Times They Are A-Changin',' he never got to go on, so 'Memphis' marks his actual onstage Broadway debut.

WW: Congrats! What kind of acrobatic training have you had?

Cary: I did gymnastics for 5 years when I was younger and I did cheerleading for 5 years. The gymnastics got me into the physics of it, and the cheerleading got me into the showmanship and partnering with girls. I have a lotta acrobatic background. I like being upside down; it's my favorite place to be.

WW: You've said you consider yourself a song-and-dance man. Would you consider Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly to be idols?

Cary: Absolutely. Fred Astaire is like a dream [of mine], but Gene Kelly is more my reality. I was brought up athletically. I did soccer, baseball, karate. But I'd love to be an amalgam of them: 50% technique and 50% style.

WW: What can you tell us about Sergio Trujillo's choreography?

Cary: It always tells the story and pushes it forward in 'Memphis.' He uses theme and variation, and it's all masterfully done. He should've been up for a Tony.

WW: Speaking of Tonys, how was it winning Best Musical?

Cary: Tony night was a blur. When we won, we were set to do a reprise of 'Steal Your Rock 'n' Roll.' Then Sergio came onstage and said, 'Forget the choreography.' We're all going: 'You grilled us and said we had to have all these steps.' But we were all so happy. It was fantastic. We were the critical underdog, and it was a tribute to all the hard work that went into it. It's such an American musical, and original and fresh, and it took the cake. Our audiences have been unreal since the Tonys. We have a very grateful cast and no one takes it for granted. Winning the Tony was truly spectacular.

WW: Dancers are called gypsies, so you're movin' on, right?

Cary: Yes, I'll have been with 'Memphis' a year, and Aug. 8 is my last day. I'm doing the first national tour of 'West Side Story' and I'll play Snowboy, one of the Jets, and understudy Tony. There will be days, I'm sure, where I'll miss New York and 'Memphis' and the cast, but for the most part, I am excited to begin a new journey into a rich musical theater classic and play all over the country.






Photo of Cary Tedder: From 'Memphis' blog of Tony week Updated On: 7/20/10 at 11:36 PM

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 7/21/10 at 11:52am

shrekster224, Nick Blaemire was the first cover for Huey in both the Seattle and La Jolla productions. Like on Broadway, Brad Bass was the second cover.

When Balemire didn't continue with the show to New York, he was replaced by Bryan Fenkart.

[Blockhead24]

Posted: 7/22/10 at 1:22pm

Anyone going to see Brad tonight??

[broadwaymarty]

Posted: 7/24/10 at 5:58am

Saw Brad. he is great, FANTASTICAL etc. etc. etc., what more can I say!

[Mark_E]

Posted: 7/24/10 at 6:37am

Hey Memphis Fans!

Im coming over from the UK next month, and am hoping to try the Rush, and have some questions.

1) Can I get a ticket for both myself and my dad with just my ID card?
2) I am going to get an International Student ID Card (www.isic.org) because my University card is undated. Im assuming the Memphis box office will accept these?
3) If I get to the box office at around 8:30/9am do I have a good chance of getting a ticket (Will probably be a Thursday/Friday.

[Blockhead24]

Posted: 7/24/10 at 2:02pm

Brad really was fantastical! He's got a stellar voice and I loved his acting choices. He made it look effortless and had good chemistry with Montego.

[zepka102]

Posted: 7/24/10 at 7:12pm

Hey, anybody know if the cast recording was rerecorded or remastered? The "limited edition" that was sold at the theater when the show opened just sounds so bad.

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 7/26/10 at 9:51pm

It was sweltering in NYC, and 'Memphis' was sizzlin', too: Congrats on the best week ever at the box office: It reached its highest gross ($960,594) and highest capacity (95.2%).

And on Sunday, a hot celebrity came to see the show: Zac Efron. He stopped backstage during the intermission and visited the cast. Below is a link to a photo of Zac.

Meantime, it's a time for comings and goings. Sunday was the last day for James Brown III, who heads off to do 'Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.' Charlie Williams wraps up his run next Sunday (Aug. 1) so he joins Raul Esparza and Brooke Shields in 'Leap of Faith,' and the Sunday after that, Cary Tedder bids a fond farewell (as we reported in an earlier interview).

Montego Glover is on vacation for the next 2 weeks, so this week, you'll see Dan'yelle Williamson as Felicia, and you expect to see Tracee Beazer pop up sometime the week after.

And mark this date: Monday, Aug. 23. Why? Cast members from 'Memphis' will put on a concert at 7 p.m. at Joe's Pub, 425 Lafayette St., NYC, to benefit Broadway Impact, which supports marriage equality. Tickets are $25, so hurry and call [phone] before they sell out.

To Mark_E: As far as I know, you CAN buy 2 tickets per person at Student Rush. The box office is easygoing, and I've never heard them hassling anyone about their I.D. As for what time to line up before the box office opens, Blockhead24 reported getting there at 8 a.m. one morning and buying the second ticket. If you can arrive by 8 a.m. (if not earlier), that probably would be a better bet than 8:30 or 9 a.m. Since the Tonys, the box office has boomed, so rush is a tougher ticket.



Picture of Zac Efron, backstage with Paul McGill, at 'Memphis' Updated On: 7/26/10 at 09:51 PM