'Memphis' Lives in Us: The Official Love Thread - Page 6

[Shubert Alley Cat]

Posted: 7/26/10 at 10:43pm

Going to see the show again next Tues -- bummer, Montego is on vacation! Please reassure me, Wayman, that I'm still going to love the show -- her performance was out of this world and the main reason I wanted to return.

Posted: 7/27/10 at 1:11am

any word on how long Montego and Chad are contracted with the show???

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 7/27/10 at 1:22am

I'm thinking unless they have another job lined up they are in for the long haul.

[Blockhead24]

Posted: 7/27/10 at 10:33am

I was killing time before my job interview and took these. They had just put them up earlier in the day.


Updated On: 7/27/10 at 10:33 AM

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 7/27/10 at 11:09am

To Shubert Alley Cat: Montego and Chad have been with 'Memphis' for over 6 years and done 4 out-of-town tryouts, so nobody knows their characters as well as they do. So I imagine it's a daunting task for any understudy. Though I haven't seen Brad Bass go on for Huey (which he did last Thursday and Friday) or Tracee Beazer (who has yet to go on), I have seen Dan'yelle Williamson and Bryan Fenkart and whole-heartedly recommend them. (I've even heard from a few fans who think Dan'yelle, Bryan and Brad outdo the originals.) The audience receives the understudies with lots of enthusiasm at the curtain call, and everytime I've seen the show, it gets a rockin' standing O.

Without taking anything away from the cast, that's also a credit to the writers of the show (Joe DiPietro and David Bryan), director (Christopher Ashley), choreographer (Sergio Trujillo) and the rest of the team. Shubert Alley Cat, you might miss Montego, but I think you'll still have a terrific time!

To NYPJ: Nothing's official; I think their contracts are being negotiated. But it's hard for me to believe that Chad and Montego won't be extending. They created these roles of a lifetime; they're in a Tony-winning hit. Unless they get a better offer to do film or TV, I imagine they'd love to stay.

Below is a link to 'Memphis' at a recent concert for 'Broadway in Bryant Park.' At about 3:50, Dan'yelle Williamson sings 'Colored Woman' and knocks it out of the park.





'Memphis' at 'Broadway in Bryant Park' Updated On: 7/27/10 at 11:09 AM

[justafan2]

Posted: 7/27/10 at 11:22am

I saw this show for the first time on Sunday and I was amazed at the talent (especially Chad's). Everyone had such incredible acting, dancing, singing skills and performed with the perfect energy. Very good! To be honest---when I heard the ads on the radio---the music just seemed "loud". I almost didn't buy tix. But when you hear and SEE it performed (with the book as an explanation for the lyrics)---it becomes a totally different experience.

[DRSLOL776]

Posted: 8/3/10 at 6:42pm

Someone was concerned that Montego’s understudy might not be good since she's on vacation. I know Wayman had already posted a clip, but here is a differenct clip (got it from the Memphis blog) of Dan’yelle Williamson performing Colored Women @ the Playwrights Horizon event. Her voice is FANTASTIC! I've hit the reply button soooo many times!

I really wish I was in NY to catch her performance as well as Bryan Fenkart. It seems like the understudies have been going on a lot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqNKiMicF6E&feature=player_embedded

Zepka102 – there was a thread that was started discussing the CD’s sound quality. One of the members explained it really well why the sound is like that. I’m not gonna go into details because I’m terrible at explaining things!I have both the limited edition and the regular one. Unfortunately, both versions sound quality sounds the same thing. Oh well, at least there’s a CD for us Memphis fans!!

To the new fans who's recently chimed in: welcome to the Memphis thread! It's wonderful to hear you guys raving about the show. Continue spreading the Memphis love!!
Updated On: 8/4/10 at 06:42 PM

[classicalprose]

Posted: 8/3/10 at 10:08pm

I saw Bryan and Dan'yelle go on together on Sunday and loved both their performances. I'd seen Bryan before but never Dan'yelle and she was fabulous. Her voice is absolutely beautiful and she's a different but great Felicia. I love Chad and Montego but you won't be disappointed by Bryan and/or Dan'yelle.

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 8/16/10 at 11:56pm

Variety has a terrific story about 'Memphis' by Robert Hofler, which ran Aug. 14, called 'Suddenly, 'Memphis' is a hot place to visit.' It details how 'Memphis' might be 'the ultimate Broadway survival story,' recalling how it opened as an underdog, slowly built its buzz and won the Tony for Best Musical. It chronicles the many obstacles: such as a thumb's down from the N.Y. Times and other press; its lack of group sales, and indifference from N.Y. audiences.

Luckily, its fortunes literally turned around with the Tonys. Hofler notes: 'Of all the tuners to debut on Broadway last season, 'Memphis' producers took the biggest gamble: coming to town sans stars with a totally original score and book and title unassociated with a movie, TV show or best seller.' At the end of this entry is a link to the BroadwayWorld.com report on the Variety story, which includes a number of excerpts.

Speaking of gambles, it paid off with a Tony bump. The 2 months before the Tonys, 'Memphis' was doing in the vicinity of $550,000 to $700,000 in business. The week after the Tonys, it jumped up to $835,071, and has registered at least 5 weeks where it has topped $900,000, making it into the top 10 highest-grossing shows on Broadway. And it's closing in on $1 million; on the week of July 25, it was up to $960,594.

Due to the now-higher demand for student rush, 'Memphis' has added the box seats (besides the front-row ones in AA in the orchestra), so that's great for students. For $26.50, it's such a bargain. Tip: Lines seem shorter on weekends; get there an hour before. Saturday's box office opens at 10 a.m., but Sunday's at noon.

In the meantime, there have been comings and goings at 'Memphis.' To mention just a few: Charlie Williams left Aug. 1 to do the L.A. tryout of 'Leap of Faith,' but is expected back in November. Cary Tedder left Aug. 8 to do the national tour of 'West Side Story.' Paul McGill has taken over his track; go to the blog at www.memphisthemusical.com and watch James Monroe Iglehart's Web fun interview with him.

This week, Bryan Fenkart is on vacation. Chad Kimball might be taking his in September. And Montego Glover just returned from a 2-week vacation. But here's the good news: Broadway.com ran an interview with her on Aug. 9; asked if she plans to stay with the show, she says having a role written for her was 'a miracle,' so she 'wants to live in the light of it and the fun of it for as long [as she can].' And I hear the same about Chad renewing. Hooray!

Reminder: Cast members from 'Memphis' will do a benefit for Broadway Impact on Monday, Aug. 23, at 7 p.m. at Joe's Pub. And this just in: Confirmed performers so far - Brad Bass, Tracee Beazer, Hilary Elk, Bryan Fenkart, Rhett George, Bryan Langlitz, James Monroe Iglehart, Sydney Morton, John Eric Parker, Betsy Stuxness and Dan'yelle Williamson (and Shelton Becton on piano). Plus possible surprises. Tickets, $25; [phone]. ...

'Memphis' began previews last Sept. 23 & opened Oct. 19. One-year anniversaries will be here soon. Hockadoo!





BWW: Variety - Suddenly, 'Memphis' is a hot place to visit Updated On: 8/17/10 at 11:56 PM

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 8/17/10 at 11:37pm

Zefron & Hudgens were at Memphis again today.
https://twitter.com/BroadwaySpotted/status/21450117064

I hope this means he's just a fan & not going in for the movie...

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 8/18/10 at 12:50pm

Zac Efron was just at 'Memphis' a couple weeks ago, and last night he brought his girlfriend, Vanessa Hudgens, but more notably, he brought Adam Shankman, his director from the movie of 'Hairspray.' Looks like someone is scoping out a possible movie role. Anyway, they all went backstage and took photos. Also apparently interested in making a film of 'Memphis' are Justin Timberlake and Oliver Stone. Who oughta do it? Thoughts? :)
Celebrity Gossip Net: Zac and Vanessa hit Broadway

[gotham girl]

Posted: 8/18/10 at 2:03pm

well, after a year of lurking, i'm taking the plunge and writing my first post!

i know it's an unwritten rule that movie stars (used loosely for both Zac and Timberlake) take over roles when a musical gets the Hollywood treatment, but i would love to see Chad and Montego reprise their roles onscreen. they have star appeal in my opinion and their chemistry will be hard to match.

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 8/18/10 at 2:47pm

^ Not gonna happen.

It's pretty much all but guaranteed that Felicia will be played by Beyonce.

[gotham girl]

Posted: 8/18/10 at 3:13pm

beyonce? BEYONCE?! *dies*

[rmusic11322]

Posted: 8/18/10 at 3:19pm

Beyonce. Hmm... For some reason, I wanna see that happen.

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 8/19/10 at 9:38am

So what was it like to have Zac Efron backstage at 'Memphis'?

Montego Glover: 'Great! Zac's such a sweet kid and so enthusiastic about theater. It was nice to have him respond so positively and come back and say hi. It's his second time, so when I saw Zac again, I said, 'What are you doing here?' He said, 'We came to see the show. I love it!' And I said, 'I love that you love it.'

Chad Kimball: 'Zac's so nice and so eager to know more about the show. He said, 'This time I saw so many more intricacies, and my girlfriend [Vanessa Hudgens] loved it, too.' He's totally down-to-earth. They [and Adam Shankman] were just lovely. It's so great to have stars come to 'Memphis.' When Justin Timberlake came, I met his girlfriend, Jessica Biel, first, and I couldn't stop staring into her eyes. And she said, 'Great work!' Then I met Justin, who shook my hand and said he really liked the story. And he's a nice guy, too.'

When asked if they had renewed their contracts to stay with 'Memphis' after their year was up, both Chad and Montego said they were still in negotiations, but 'it looks good!'


More photos of Zac and Vanessa with Chad and Montego Updated On: 8/20/10 at 09:38 AM

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 8/24/10 at 11:03am

The ensemble of 'Memphis' showed how really terrifically talented they are at last night's benefit concert for Broadway Impact at Joe's Pub. Kudos to John Eric Parker for organizing this show and all the performers, who included Tracee Beazer, Sheldon Becton, Hillary Elk, Sydney Morton and Betsy Struxness. James Monroe Iglehart and Rhett George made a dynamic duo as they improvised funny songs based on audience suggestions. When someone suggested a hip-hop number, James joked, 'That's too easy. If you hadn't noticed, we're black.'

Another incredible crowdpleaser was the dazzling Dan'yelle Williamson, who did a wail of a job, belting the bejesus out of the Whitney Houston hit 'I Have Nothing.' Bryan Fenkart, who had to follow her showstopper, wisecracked, 'I guess I drew the short straw. I can fart the alphabet if anyone wants it.' He then made a strong plea for marriage equality ('The good guys always win; keep up the fight') and then segued, 'Now for a song about how I'm unavailable in romantic relationships.' It was one of Bryan's own tunes, 'Empty Handed,' a beautiful ballad that recalls Billy Joel's best. (It's on Bryan's wonderful 'Imperfect Man' CD; if you don't have it, get it!)

It's so apt that 'Memphis' supports Broadway Impact because the topic of marriage equality between blacks and whites comes up in the show. Huey says to Felicia: 'Pretend we don't got none of them crazy laws in Tennessee. Pretend two grown adults can marry who they like. Then - would you marry me?' Was the topic of gay marriage on Tony-winning book writer Joe DiPietro's mind when he wrote that? DiPietro, who's an openly gay playwright, told us exclusively: 'The line first turned up in the draft of the script in March 2007. So I certainly wrote it before Prop. 8 (though we were in rehearsals in La Jolla in the summer of 2008 when Prop. 8 was all over the news). So was I aware of the subtext when I wrote it? Yep. In fact, it gave me insight into the characters and their own civil rights struggles. Did I ever think that the line would have such relevance today? Nope.'

After last night's concert, James Monroe Iglehart said Broadway Impact means a lot to him: 'I'm from the San Francisco Bay Area. My wife had a family member who passed from AIDS, and my godbrother did, too. Supporting this cause is amazing because you feel like you're part of something bigger.' Asked if he saw Huey and Felicia's struggle to marry comparable with those of gays and lesbians today, he said, 'Omigosh, I make that connection all the time. My wife and I are in an interracial relationship. If there weren't any 'crazy laws,' people could get married, divorced, fall in love, fight. People would just be people. That would be the best world we could be.'






BWW photos from the concert (by Monica Simoes) Updated On: 8/24/10 at 11:03 AM

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 9/5/10 at 1:46am

Happy Labor Day weekend, 'Memphis' fans! Lots of news:

Here's to Chad Kimball (Sept. 2), who was greeted the other night at the stage door by fans who sang 'Happy Birthday' to him. Chad also just got a full-page profile in the Sunday New York Daily News by Joe Dziemianowicz; included at the end of this posting is the link. Besides performing, Chad discusses how fashion is his passion, and recent backstage visitors to 'Memphis' like Zac Efron and Justin Timberlake.

After Sunday's matinee (Sept. 5), Chad takes off for a weeklong vacation (Sept. 6-12); Bryan Fenkart will fill in as Huey, except for Wed. and Thurs. night (Sept. 8-9), when Brad Bass goes on. In fact, Chad won't be back in time for the big 'Broadway on Broadway' concert in Times Square on Sept. 12, so Bryan & Co. will do 'Steal Your Rock 'n' Roll.'

However, Chad will return in time on Mon., Sept. 13, to do 'Late Night With Jimmy Fallon' that evening. Jimmy will interview Tony-winning composer/Bon Jovi keyboardist David Bryan, and the cast will do 'Steal Your Rock 'n' Roll.'

In other TV news, Dan'yelle Williamson will be singing 'Colored Woman' on the Jerry Lewis M.S. telethon this holiday weekend, and Montego Glover will be appearing in the second season premiere of CBS' 'The Good Wife' on Sept. 28.

Business was booming this Labor Day weekend at the Shubert. They sold standing room on Friday and Saturday night. And when Patti LuPone came by to buy tickets a couple of hours before the Saturday evening show, there were no pairs available, so they found her some singles. Spies report she was a fantastic audience.

P.S. 'Memphis' producers Sue Frost and Randy Adams will discuss their show in a panel called 'From Table Reading to Tony Award: A Long Way to Memphis' on Wed., Sept. 29, at 7:30 p.m. at the Players Theatre, 115 MacDougal St., NYC. The panel is presented by the theatre, TRU (Theatre Resources Unlimited) and Back Stage. Admission is free for TRU members and $12 for non-members. For reservations, call [phone], or e-mail [e-mail].




N.Y. Daily News: 'Sidewalk Stories' with Chad Kimball Updated On: 9/5/10 at 01:46 AM

[ace33]

Posted: 9/13/10 at 3:27pm

anyone catch the cast at Broadway on Broadway this weekend? I couldnt be there - what did they sing?

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 9/22/10 at 9:33pm

Happy 1-year anniversary to 'Memphis' and hocka-effing-doo!

Last Sept. 23, this show kicked off its first preview at the Shubert, and what a difference a year makes. It's won the Triple Crown of theater awards for Best Musical (The Tony, the Drama Desk and the Outer Critics Circle), and since the Tonys, it's been consistently one of the top 10 highest-grossing shows on Broadway. And if our math is right, that's 30 previews and 387 regular performances so far. To mark the occasion, we sat down with Joe DiPietro, the show's Tony-winning book writer and co-lyricist; he and David Bryan (composer, co-lyricist and co-orchestrator) are now THREE-time Tony winners (they're also among the show's producers).

5 Questions for Joe DiPietro:

1. Congrats on the 1-year anniversary. How's it feel?

Joe DiPietro: 'David Bryan, myself, the producers and the creative team have always believed in 'Memphis.' And in the four out-of-town tryouts, we knew audiences loved this show. They related to it, and always gave it standing ovations. But Broadway is a crapshoot and you never know, but the Tonys gave us that extra spotlight and propelled us to another level. We couldn't be prouder. In many ways, 'Memphis' is an old-fashioned musical. It tells a story that makes people laugh and cry and think. and it's got a great rock 'n' roll score. People fall in love with the characters.

2. What do you remember about Tony night?

DiPietro: 'We literally sat in our seats at 7 o'clock, and the first three competitive Tonys were given, and we won them all (orchestrations, score and book). People ask if we were nervous. We didn't have time to be. It was pretty off-the-charts great. The other moment that got me really verklempt was sitting in Radio City watching Chad and Montego and the entire cast do 'Steal Your Rock 'N' Roll' at the Tonys. That was like a childhood fantasy. Omigod. We've been together through so much, and here we were. And this is funny: Bernadette Peters presented Best Musical, and I've never met her. I'm a huge fan. When she came out onstage, David leaned over to me and said, 'She was in 'The Jerk'!' David and I are big comedy fans, and that's what he knew her from.'

3. There's been talk about Hollywood making a movie out of 'Memphis.' Did you get to meet Zac Efron?

DiPietro: 'I met Zac the second time he came back, this time with his girlfriend, Vanessa Hudgens. They couldn't have been sweeter. Zac said anytime a moment came up in the show that especially affected him, he'd squeeze Vanessa's hand. They were so nice to Chad and Montego. And when Justin Timberlake came, he brought his girlfriend, Jessica Biel, and later they sent gourmet cupcakes to the cast, which was sweet. And David and I got to meet [director] Oliver Stone and his producer at Sardi's, and what they keyed into was the story, the tale of Huey and Felicia, the tale of rock 'n' roll, the early civil rights struggle, all laden and heightened by this great music David wrote. It's not a huge leap to see 'Memphis' as a movie. The characters have arcs. The scenes have a beginning, middle and an end. And two-thirds of the songs are sung in a nightclub, recording studio or TV studio, so no one wonders why someone is breaking into song. I used the model of 'Cabaret,' Bob Fosse's movie of Kander & Ebb. It's probably the best movie musical ever done for the screen. Almost every song is sung in a cabaret.'

4. So what are you and David working on next?

DiPietro: 'A new musical called 'Chasing the Song.' It's about a female songwriter set against the backdrop of the Brill Building in the early 1960s, when publishers hired songwriters to write the hit pop songs of the day. It's not based on Carole King or Ellie Greenwich; it's an original story with original music. The other main character is a woman music publisher. It's very much about how music was made back then and what it means to succeed when you're young. It ends in 1964, when the Beatles came and changed everything. I have a draft of the book and we've got five songs. David's been on tour (with Bon Jovi) and just got married, and I've been out of town opening a few shows, but it's what we're working on now. We have an idea for something else too, but that's probably done the line.' (In a recent interview for Playbill, David hinted this show was about 'Old Hollywood.')

5. What would you like to say to the fans of 'Memphis'?

DiPietro: 'Thank you for being such fans and supporting an original musical on Broadway. Both David and I feel very strongly that first you have to write for yourself. Then you give it to the world and hope they feel the same way, and the fact that fans feel that too, means just about everything to us. We certainly wouldn't be celebrating our one-year anniversary without them. We really appreciate it, and it's quite moving.'







Updated On: 9/24/10 at 09:33 PM

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 9/24/10 at 11:31am

Chad Kimball, Montego Glover and Co. celebrated the 1-year anniversary of their Tony-winning show on Broadway, with a party at Tonys di Napoli, with a painting (and pasta). Click the link to see Linda Lenzi's wonderful photos.

Reminder: The Broadway Flea Market is this Sunday (Sept. 26) from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Shubert Alley , so go and support Broadway Cares, which gets all the proceeds. Chad and Montego will be at the Celebrity Autograph Table between noon and 12:50 p.m., and 'Memphis' will have its own table of souvenirs, CDs and DVD's to sell.

TV updates: Look for 'Memphis' to be on CBS' 'The Early Show' on Saturday, Oct. 2 (between 8-9 a.m.).

'A Broadway Celebration: In Performance at the White House,' featuring Chad singing 'Memphis Lives in Me,' will premiere nationally on PBS stations on Wednesday, Oct. 20, at 9 p.m. President Obama offers opening remarks, and the show also includes Nathan Lane, Audra McDonald, Brian d'Arcy James, Karen Olivo and Elaine Stritch.

Finally, 'The Apprentice,' the TV reality show starring Donald Trump, did some shooting a few months ago at the Shubert. My spies say 'Memphis' is somehow involved, but we'll have to see how that all plays out.








BroadwayWorld.com: Tonys di Napoli honors Tony-winning 'Memphis' Updated On: 9/24/10 at 11:31 AM

[gotham girl]

Posted: 9/24/10 at 3:32pm

thanks wayman for the updates!

[ace33]

Posted: 10/12/10 at 10:53am

rumor has it that Memphis broke $1m in grosses for the firs time this week!

they didnt break it during the summer so i was expecting it to be during the holidays... what gives?!

[Mistress_Spouzic]

Posted: 10/12/10 at 1:36pm

Just wanted to share this video with the Memphis fans. Truly wonderful to see shows participating in the It Gets Better campaign.
It Gets Better, from Memphis

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 10/18/10 at 7:09pm

'Memphis' partied hearty (and a little early) Sunday night (Oct. 17) at B.B. King's Blues Club in NYC to celebrate the one-year anniversary of their Oct. 19 opening last year. The buffet and bash included the first annual 'Memmy Awards,' which saluted and satirized the creators, cast and crew. Produced by Carolyn Miller and hosted by mega-'Memphis' fans Patty and Emily, the evening included filmed spoofs of scenes from the show, video highlights from the Tonys and clips of fond but not forgotten performers who have since left the Shubert Theatre.

Among the funniest moments:

* Michael McGrath, who plays Mr. Simmons, picked up an award and thanked all the producers and performers ... of 'Spamalot,' his previous musical at the Shubert.

* Montego Glover and Michelle Obama tied for Best Guns (muscular arms); Michelle was eligible because she had come to the show. The First Lady couldn't pick up her award, but Montego did.

* Asked for the tagline of the show, David Bryan said: 'His vision. Her voice. Your credit card.'

* But the scene-stealer of the night was Bryan Fenkart, Chad Kimball's terrifically talented understudy. When James Monroe Iglehart announced he was going to do an onstage interview with Chad Kimball, Bryan came up instead, and did the interview with a pitch-perfect imitation of Chad, right down to his laugh. Later, Bryan closed the evening with a hilarious parody of 'Memphis Lives in Me,' which took gentle jabs at many of his castmates.

What came across at B.B. King's is what a family the cast of 'Memphis' is; a company with camaraderie that seems to have as much fun offstage as it does on. Hockadoo for Year 2!

BroadwayWorld.com: Photos from the 1-Year Anniversary Updated On: 10/18/10 at 07:09 PM