MEMPHIS Wins Big in San Diego
La Jolla production of new musical garners awards for production and lead actor Seattle native Chad Kimball
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SAN DIEGO, CA - Even before its Seattle opening, The 5th Avenue/La Jolla production of MEMPHIS, a new musical about the birth of rock 'n' roll in the turbulent 50s, has won awards from the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle. The 2008 La Jolla production (which premiered in August) received the Craig Noel Awards for Excellence in Theatre for both Outstanding New Musical and for its star Seattle native Chad Kimball in the role of DJ Huey Calhoun, a man partly responsible for the dawn of a new musical genre.
The production tells the story of a young white man growing up in Memphis, Tennessee in the 1950s. With nothing going for him but his love for the music he hears in the black bars of Beale Street, Huey's an unlikely hero, but his on-air antics and unstoppable enthusiasm for "race records" creates a new white audience for African-American music. His personal life transcends the race line as well, when he falls in love with a beautiful black singer - with dramatic consequences.
Kimball's award brings new recognition to the Seattle actor, who attended Roosevelt High School before heading on to Boston Conservatory and roles on Broadway in Lennon, Into the Woods, Civil War and Good Vibrations. (Roosevelt's Drama Director Ruben Van Kempen recently commented, "While in high school, Chad had enough stellar talent and energy to light up the darkest place on earth.") And the production award raises hopes that this Broadway-bound musical will be as big a hit with Seattle audiences as it was with San Diego's.
The show's music, developed by Bon Jovi rock superstar David Bryan, is an all-original score of gospel, rhythm & blues, and early rock 'n' roll, including "The Music of My Soul," "Memphis Lives in Me," and "Steal Your Rock 'n' Roll." The book and lyrics are written by playwright Joe DiPietro (I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change; Over the River and Through the Woods; The Thing About Men) The production is directed by Christopher Ashley and choreographed by Sergio Trujillo.
The Craig Noel Awards, now celebrating their seventh year of honoring the achievements of theatrical artists in the San Diego area, are given by the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle. Members of the SDTCC are professional critics writing for daily newspapers, magazines, entertainment trade publications and Web sites in San Diego, Riverside and Los Angeles counties.
Tickets to MEMPHIS are priced from $22 - $81. Tickets are available over the phone by calling 206-625-1900 / toll-free 888-5TH-4TIX (584-4849), online at 5thavenue.org or in person at the box office at 1308 5th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101. There is no service charge when purchasing tickets in person at The 5th Avenue Theatre Box Office.
The 5th Avenue Theatre is Seattle's premier musical theater. In 1980, the non-profit 5th Avenue Theatre began producing and presenting top-quality live musical theater for the cultural enrichment of the Northwest community. The 5th Avenue Theatre maintains a subscription audience of nearly 24,000 and an annual attendance of more than 287,000. It ranks among the nation's largest and most respected musical theater companies. The Theatre is committed to encouraging the next generation of theatergoers through its Educational Outreach Program which includes: The Adventure Musical Theatre Touring Company, The 5th Avenue High School Musical Theatre Awards, the Student Matinee Program and Spotlight Nights. Unique in its Chinese-inspired design, the exquisite theater opened in 1926 as a venue for vaudeville and film. Today, under the leadership of Managing Director Marilynn Sheldon and Producing Artistic Director David Armstrong, The 5th Avenue Theatre continues to achieve the highest standards in all aspects of artistic endeavors and facility operations, while preserving its artistic, architectural and historic legacy. Visit www.5thavenue.org.
Ticket Information:
Tickets to MEMPHIS are priced from $22 - $81. Tickets are available over the phone by calling 206-625-1900 / toll-free 888-5TH-4TIX (584-4849), www.5thavenue.org. or in person at the box office at 1308 5th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101. There is no service charge when purchasing tickets in person at The 5th Avenue Theatre Box Office.
MEMPHIS
January 27 - February 15, 2008 (Previews: Jan. 27-31, Feb.1, 3 & 4)
- Tuesday Evening 7:30 pm
- Wednesday Evening 7:30 pm
- Thursday Evening 8:00 pm
- Friday Evening 8:00 pm
- Saturday Matinee 2:00 pm
- Saturday Evening 8:00 pm
- Sunday Matinee 1:30 pm
- Sunday Evening 7:00 pm
ASL Performance: Sunday, February 8 at 7:00 p.m.
Audio Described Performance: Saturday, February 14 at 2:00 p.m.
Please contact John Longenbaugh, Public Relations Manager, at (206) 625-1418 with questions or to schedule individual interviews. Photos available upon request.
2008-2009 SEASON CO-SPONSORS: The Boeing Company and U.S. Bank
SHOW SPONSORS: The Boeing Company