'Memphis' Lives in Us: The Official Love Thread - Page 7

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 10/20/10 at 1:34pm

TV alert/reminder: Chad Kimball sings 'Memphis Lives in Me' tonight (Wed., Oct 20) at 9 p.m. in 'A Broadway Celebration: In Performance at the White House' on PBS; check your local TV listiings. Hosted by Nathan Lane, the hour-long concert also includes Brian d'Arcy James, Audra McDonald, Idina Menzel, Karen Olivo, Tonya Pinkins, Elaine Stritch and much, much more. David Hinckley, the TV critic for the N.Y. Daily News, gave the show 4 stars!

Speaking of concerts, Danyelle Williamson (Montego's understudy), Besty Struxness and Dionne Figgins (all from 'Memphis') will join Kyle Dean Massey ('Next to Normal')and many others at the 'Living Proof' benefit. It will be held Sunday, Oct. 24, at 9:30 p.m. at the Time Out New York Lounge at New World Stages, 340 W. 50th St., NYC. The concert will 'honor the lives lost by tragic gay teen suicides.' Suggested donation is $5, and all proceeds will go to the Trevor Project and Live Out Loud, which both help gay youth.


Playbill.com: 'A Broadway Celebration'; includes the song list, too! Updated On: 10/20/10 at 01:34 PM

[justafan2]

Posted: 10/20/10 at 4:01pm

Thank-U for the PBS heads-up. I actually enjoyed this show more the second time I saw it and will watch Chad's performance tonight on PBS. I'm glad he and Montego just extended their contracts for another year.

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 10/28/10 at 3:46pm

TV alert: Donald Trump visits 'Memphis' tonight (Thurs., Oct. 29th). On the episode, 'The Apprentice' contestants will be at the Shubert Theatre to hold backers' auditions for 2 new musicals, and the judges will include producer Jon Yanover ('Memphis'), Daryl Roth and Kristin Chenoweth. (If you miss tonight's broadcast, CNBC usually reruns it on Friday night.)


Playbill.com: 'Memphis' meets 'The Apprentice' Updated On: 10/28/10 at 03:46 PM

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 11/24/10 at 9:22am

Happy Thanksgiving, 'Memphis' fans! As you might've heard, the cast of 'Memphis' will be performing 'Steal Your Rock 'n' Roll' at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade broadcast tomorrow (Thursday, Nov. 25) at 9 a.m. on NBC. There's a 50% chance of rain, but they'll be singing and dancing, come rain or come shine. Tune in, and you also can catch the casts of 'American Idiot,' 'Elf' and 'Million Dollar Quartet.'

A couple of months ago, Theater Resources Unlimited hosted a panel called 'The Road to 'Memphis,' which recounted how the show got started and made it all the way to winning the Tony. It included book writer-lyricist Joe DiPietro and producers Randy Adams and Sue Frost. Sherry Eaker of Nitelife Exchange wrote a report about it, and here's a link to it. It's full of fun, little facts. ... Otherwise, have a terrific Turkey Day, and hockadoo to all of you!

Nitelife Exchange: 'The Road to Memphis' Updated On: 11/24/10 at 09:22 AM

[ace33]

Posted: 11/27/10 at 8:26pm

thanks wayman, seems like the cast hasnt skipped a beat!

I also noticed Todrick Hall in the ensemble, he had an awesome voice on American Idol but damn could he dance!

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 12/28/10 at 10:40pm

Congrats to the creators, cast and crew of 'Memphis'!

On Wed., Dec. 29, at 2 p.m., it'll celebrate its 500th performance at the Shubert Theatre. The Tony-winning book writer and co-lyricist Joe DiPietro will be live tweeting from this show to give fans an inside scoop from his point of view.

Follow Joe DiPietro @MemphisBroadway

Meantime, here's the latest interview with Chad and Montego ...

Happy 500th show, 'Memphis,' and hocka-damn-doo!
TDF Stages: 'Memphis' stars reveal their secrets

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 1/19/11 at 11:47am

Hey, 'Memphis' fans! The filming kicked off last night (Jan. 18th) at the Shubert for Broadway Worldwide, and like Norma Desmond in 'Sunset Boulevard,' it was ready for its closeup. There were cameras at the back of the house, on the sides of the orchestra, and a camera on a boom anchored in the front mezzanine. Howell Binkley's lighting has been toned down a little for the filming, but this Tony-winning musical played as the crowd-pleaser it usually is (with tweaks in Sergio Trujillo's incredible choreography). If you haven't seen the show in a while, this week's a great time to revisit, especially with the extra electricity in the house.

The filming is taking place over five shows, culminating on Friday night (Jan. 21). It's being done by Don Roy King, a multi-Emmy-nominated director (and Emmy winner for 'Saturday Night Live'). He also knows his way around stage-to-screen transfers, having done 'Putting It Together' and 'Smokey Joe's Cafe.' We hear 'Memphis' was approached about being filmed last fall, long before the Tonys, and it will be released nationally in high-def, possibly the weekend of Mother's Day, and later on DVD.

Chad Kimball, Montego Glover and Co. are in showstopping shape, and a couple of performers even held their notes just a mite longer than usual. 'Memphis' will be reportedly the first Broadway musical to be filmed live and released in U.S. cinemas while still running on Broadway. Happily, that may help prime mainstream America for the national tour, which kicks off in the fall, but also help open the doors for more Broadway films that might reach audiences that might not make it to NYC. And for fans of 'Memphis,' it'll be terrific to have this remarkable cast captured on film.

Speaking of being captured on film, kudos to Chad, who just appeared on last night's episode of 'The Good Wife' on CBS. ...

Finally, a shoutout to a champion of 'Memphis' who introduced this show on the Tony telecast: quarterback Mark Sanchez, who's headed to the AFC championship game this weekend. Go Jets!


Hollywood Reporter: 'Memphis' headed to movie screens Updated On: 1/19/11 at 11:47 AM

[phantom39]

Posted: 1/19/11 at 1:12pm

Thanks for the info Wayman! Glad the first day of filming went well. Can't wait to hear more about it!

[shrekster224]

Posted: 1/19/11 at 8:01pm

Hey Wayman, can you provide any info on basically the whole new ensemble? Just checked the website and it appears that Todrick Hall, Jennifer Allen, Kevin Covert, and more have all left. There are a bunch of new cast members, and a new Huey understudy, Justin Patterson of ALNM. Apparently theres also a new Felicia understudy coming in.

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 1/22/11 at 4:31pm

Kevin Covert's leaving for 'How to Succeed,' and Jennifer Allen is joining 'Sister Act.' People come, people go. Pretty much par for the course. I still miss Charlie Williams (who left to do 'Leap of Faith' and is now gonna be in 'How to Succeed') and Cary Tedder (who left to do the tour of 'West Side Story'), but Paul McGill ('A Chorus Line') and Andy Mills (tour of 'A Chorus Line') have been wonderful replacements. By the way, I'll miss Kevin's Buck Wiley ('Boy, oh, boy') and Jennifer's Clara (and she was also a knockout when she filled in as Mama).

The ensemble at 'Memphis' is so talented. It's so fun to see Bryan Fenkart get the twitch in his pants during 'Scratch My Itch' (plus, he's a fantastic cover as Huey), or Hilary Elk as the white teen who goes crazy for 'Scratch My Itch,' or Brad Bass as Frank Dryer (and who also understudies Huey), or John Jellison as Gordon Grant, or Dan'yelle Williamson, who wails away in the background of 'Love Will Stand' (and is an amazing understudy for Felicia).

For more info about cast changes (and comments about the filming), check out the Twitter account for Memphis on Broadway, and the show's blog at www.memphisthemusical.com.

Twitter: Memphis on Broadway Updated On: 1/22/11 at 04:31 PM

[wickedfan11]

Posted: 1/22/11 at 4:46pm

"It's so fun to see Bryan Fenkart get the twitch in his pants during 'Scratch My Itch."

It seems like he's on for Huey more than in his own ensemble track!

[Kalimba]

Posted: 1/22/11 at 4:54pm

I knew that Todrick Hall was leaving and I was hoping that hottie, Daniel Watts would return, especially since In the Heights just closed.

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 1/29/11 at 2:29pm

'Memphis' was on 'Good Morning America' yesterday (1/28/11), so if you missed it, I've posted a link below to the video clip. Chad and Montego also did a brief interview before the number to plug the fact that they were filmed last week, and that the national tour of 'Memphis' starts in the fall.

By the way, if you can't get enough of James Monroe Iglehart, he'll be spreading his 'Big Love' when he hosts 'Songs of Spirit,' a benefit concert for the One Healing Arts Company, on Monday, Jan. 31, at 7 p.m. at Joe's Pub, 425 Lafayette St. The show, which features original tunes by emerging musical-theater writers, is being directed by 'Memphis' producer Nick Demos and Carolyn D. Miller. Also on the lineup: Andy Mills (from 'Memphis'), Bobby Steggert ('Ragtime'), Sally Mayes ('She Loves Me'), Zak Resnick (The Broadway Boys) and many more. Tix, $20; [phone].

Finally, a note to Kalimba: Daniel Watts IS back in 'Memphis'!




'Memphis' on 'Good Morning America' Updated On: 1/29/11 at 02:29 PM

[Zinone]

Posted: 1/29/11 at 2:41pm

Does anyone know the name of the green-shirted white dance-off guy from the Tonys performance? And is he still in the show?

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 1/29/11 at 2:50pm

I believe that's Charlie Williams and no, he's left the show.

[rmusic11322]

Posted: 1/29/11 at 3:20pm

Yesturday, my school had a 90 minute delay so all we did in class was watch TV. As my teach was flipping through the channels, I thought I saw Memphis on Good Morning America. He was changing the channels so fast that I didn't have time to think. After reading Wayman_Wong's post it's good to know that I wasn't going insane. LOL.

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 3/1/11 at 10:41am

On Feb. 3, the watchmaker Audemars Piguet partnered with Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and the Tony Awards to host 1,100 students at their very first Broadway show. Through 'Inspire Change,' which was started by the producers of 'Memphis,' students from public schools and AIDS service organizations from the 5 boroughs surprised the cast by jumping to their feet and joining the finale, 'Steal Your Rock 'n' Roll.' The students had been practicing the lyrics and choreography for weeks. Bravo, kids, and hockadoo!

YouTube: Flash mob at 'Memphis'! Updated On: 3/1/11 at 10:41 AM

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 3/11/11 at 3:27pm

Hockadoo news for 'Memphis'! LiveBway.com says here's the dates and showtimes for the HDTV screenings in movie theaters:

Thursday, April 28, at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 30, at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 1, at 12:30 p.m.
Tuesday, May 3, at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $20. Order your tickets through Fandango.com.

And congrats to Chad and Montego on joining the walls of Sardi's!



'Memphis' stars join Sardi's 'Wall of Fame' Updated On: 3/11/11 at 03:27 PM

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 4/27/11 at 12:12pm

A sneak peek at 'Memphis' on the big screen

Hockadoo, what a view! The other night, NCM Fathom and Broadway Worldwide offered a sneak peek of 'Memphis,' which is hitting over 500 movie theaters for an exclusive four-night run (April 28, 30 and May 3 at 7:30 p.m.; May 1 at 12:30 p.m.). And to quote Huey Calhoun, it looks 'fantastical.' And sounds sensational. It was shot in January 2011 on High Definition film at the Shubert, and Emmy-winning director Don Roy King ('Saturday Night Live') and Emmy-winning sound producer Matt Kaplowitz sure know what they're doing.

The whole show of the 2010 Tony-winning musical, and its tale of the birth of rock 'n' roll, and the love story of Huey, a white deejay, and Felicia, a black blues singer, are all there. (Plus, there's a making-of featurette that precedes the film, and a 15-minute intermission built-in.) The camera work and editing is very fluid, and complements Christopher Ashley's direction and Sergio Trujillo's dynamic dances. King keeps you focused on the human drama in each scene, often playing up the humor.

For instance, when Huey first enters Delray's, he says he came into the black nightclub to see if Felicia 'looked as pretty as she sounds.' One bar patron exclaims, 'Oh, sh*t!' That remark often gets lost in the bustle onstage, but since there's a single shot of the patron saying that, it gets a laugh. Similarly, when Huey disses Clara, the department clerk, about her musical tastes ('They ain't good records'), there's a quick cut to Clara as she shoots him a dirty look. Very funny.

The whole cast is ready for its closeups, and they amp up the power of the performances, such as Bernard J. Calloway in 'She's My Sister,' James Monroe Iglehart in 'Big Love,' Cass Morgan in 'Change Don't Come Easy' and Derrick Baskin in 'Say a Prayer.' The closeups are so compelling between Chad Kimball and Montego Glover. When Huey proposes to Felicia, you really can see the depth of his love in Huey's watering eyes, and Felicia's own conflicted emotions. It heightens the stakes and reveals the subtlety of Chad and Montego's scene work. And whether she's wailing away on 'Colored Woman' or he's belting 'Memphis Lives in Me,' they're astonishing. It's great to have this all preserved on film.

What 'Memphis' is doing is historic. The current Tony-winning musical has never been shown on hundreds of movie screens while it's still running on Broadway. It's an experiment, and how it plays out commercially, only time will tell. But for me, I'm thrilled that this film captures the stellar story, music and lyrics of Joe Di Pietro and David Bryan, as well as the heart, the humor and humanity of its incredible cast on Broadway.

I can't wait to see what other 'Memphis' fans have to say.

Until then, see ya' at the movies!



For info to theaters and showtimes for 'Memphiis' Updated On: 4/27/11 at 12:12 PM

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 4/28/11 at 11:45am

Here's what Chad had to say about the 'Memphis' movie

We caught up with a happy Chad Kimball after the premiere.

WW: Congrats, Chad! How'd it feel to see yourself on-screen?

Chad: It was surreal. I've never seen the show. We've never seen the set moves from the front. I haven't seen some of the numbers, like Bobby's 'Big Love' or Mama's 'Change Don't Come Easy,' since we rehearsed. I was kinda like a virgin audience member who knew all the lines, but I didn't know what to expect. There were so many surprises. It was great! My head looked very big, but I don't think I was critiquing myself. I was interested in the story, which was fantastic. It was a lotta fun.

WW: What surprised you the most about the HD film of "Memphis"?

Chad: I was surprised by the more intimate scenes between Montego and I. They really worked incredibly well. It's not that kind of big Broadway acting where you project your body to the back of the theater. It's intimate. Like where Huey proposes to Felicia. I was touched by what Montego was doing. But my favorite scene is the one between Huey and Felicia at the end. You could see their connection, and their disconnect. I was very moved by that. Don Roy King got it all right. The spirit and soul of the show. It's exciting. I also noticed that I sweat a lot, but I know that. I was pretty happy I didn't sweat more. (Laughs.)

WW: Any fear of being self-conscious since you've seen the film?

Chad: No. You just got out onstage with your intention. Not that I wasn't inspired to do the show before, but now I'm even more inspired. Especially watching my cast mates do their thing.

WW: And how do you feel about 'Memphis' being seen all over?

Chad: I'm really thrilled. It's gonna create a buzz for people to not only see the show on Broadway, but on tour. It's a gem!


Playbill.com: Photos of Chad & Montego from movie premiere Updated On: 4/28/11 at 11:45 AM

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 6/10/11 at 1:22am

To the cast, creators, crew and fans of 'Memphis': Have a terrific Tony weekend. I'm so thrilled that 'Memphis' will be featured in this year's telecast, too. Meantime, hope y'all got to see the latest New York Times interview with Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez (who introduced 'Steal Your Rock 'n' Roll' at last year's Tonycast). Mark mentions 'Memphis' 3 times!

Has it really been a year since the Tonys? So much has happened. 'Memphis' is coming up on its 700th performance; the national tour starts this fall in, of course, Memphis, and I hear that the HDTV filming of the show, which was shown across the country, is heading for PBS. Hockadoo!

N.Y. Times: Mark Sanchez on the Tonys, 'Memphis' & more Updated On: 6/10/11 at 01:22 AM

[Kalimba]

Posted: 6/10/11 at 9:07am

Wayman, do you know why Dan'yelle Williamson is no longer listed as a Felicia understudy?

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 6/11/11 at 12:37am

Kalimba, I'm told that Dan'yelle had taken a leave for several weeks, but she's returned. She's back as Felicia's understudy.

And speaking of Tonys, if you're wondering how much one is worth, read this Times story, and how it boosted 'Memphis'!
N.Y. Times: Just how much ia s Tony worth?