Perhaps some of the BEST pictures I have ever seen of Memphis, check out these taken of the National Touring Company during their recent run in Philadelphia that, sadly, ends today. Sadly, because with Philly being so close to NYC, we were able to head out there to visit and gather more content with the touring cast. Having never been to Philadelphia before, I was blown away even though I was only there for 12 hours or so.
These photos were taken from the bandstand during curtain call and show a perspective of the show never-before-seen except, of course, by our musicians!
Thanks to Photographer, Daniel Swalec. Check out his website and his facebook page to see more of his work! He is doing a 365 days Photo project so, since he is with the Memphis tour, it is a fun way to follow along on their journey! www.facebook.com/dswalecphoto
January 2, 2011: We sang “Happy Trails” to original Broadway cast member, John Eric Parker, (Wailin’ Joe/Reverend Hobson/understudy Delray) who started his run with BOOK OF MORMON. John Eric likes to be part of each year’s TONY-winning Best Musical…
January 21, 2011: We sang “Happy Trails” to original cast member, Jennifer Allen, (Clara/understudy “Mama) for SISTER ACT where she has been part of what I call the “wall of sound” from those belting nuns. (Jennifer is second row, second from right).
January 21, 2011: It was time to sing “Happy Trails” to Tanya Birl, (Ethel), for HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING.
January 23, 2011: He came, he saw, he blogged, he “Buck Wiley-d”, we sang “Happy Trails” to original Broadway cast member, Kevin Covert for HOW TO SUCCEED, where he continues to dance his face off. We wish him well though the week is not the same without the Covert Report.
January 23, 2011: We sang “Happy Trails” to Todrick Hall, who has been rocking the viral videos every since.
February 3rd, 2011: Audemar’s Piquet and Broadway Cares Inspire Change Flash Mob: 1100 kids surprise the Broadway cast.
February 6, 2011: We sang “Happy Trails” to Tracee Beazer (now Tracee Beazer Barrett- congrats on the nuptuials!) who has since been rocking the stage with the Broadway Dolls.
February 18, 2011: We sang “Happy Trails” to Brad Bass, original Broadway cast member (Frank Dryer) for another Sergio Trujillo choroegraphed piece you may have heard of, JERSEY BOYS.
March 13, 2011: A double whammy of a day where we sang “Happy Trails” to original Broadway cast members, Michael McGrath (Mr. Simmons) and Cass Morgan (Mama).
April 17, 2011: Broadway Cast Member, David McDonald, proposes during the curtain call to his girlfriend
April 24, 2011: “Happy Trails” to Daniel J. Watts, who took a magical carpet ride with James M. Iglehart and the cast of ALADDIN, then performed in the critically acclaimed COTTON CLUB PARADE. (Daniel on far right)
April 28, 29 and May 1 and 3: MEMPHIS the MUSICAL is in Movie theatres! Broadway Worldwide releases MEMPHIS in cinemas and is now available for purchase on DVD and Blu-Ray, to instant stream on Netflix and will be part of PBS’ Great Performances on February 24, 2012. Hockadoo Indeed.
This blogger is particularly thrilled that the show is captured for posterity, especially this riff of Derrick Baskin, which is not on the Original Cast Recording.
May 21, 2011: “Happy Trails” to Ephraim Sykes who is knocking them dead in the revival of RENT off-Broadway as “Benny.” Catch him in it soon as he leaves for his next show the second week of January! (Ephraim on far right)
May 22, 2011: We sang “Happy Trails” to Felicia Boswell, who would come back to headline to National Tour as our leading lady “Felicia Farrell.”
May 22, 2011: We also sang “Happy Trails” to original Broadway cast member/Dance Captain, Dionne Figgins, who worked that blonde wig like no one else.
May 31, 2011: We sang “Happy Trails” to stage manager Christine Fisichella.
June 12, 2011: Memphis the Musical makes a repeat performance at the 2011 TONY AWARDS at the Beacon Theatre performing “Steal Your Rock n’ Roll” with a group of students helping us out in the aisles. *Host, Neil Patrick Harris, and Lin Manuel Miranda, create a hilarious “credits” song that includes this lyric about MEMPHIS:
Spider-Man and Mary Jane gave us perspective here.
They sang a ballad, we didn’t need protective gear.
Patina Miller’s nun sang “Raise Your Voice” with cheer
and Memphis is relentless, they’re performing every year.
June 24, 2011: We almost made it a whole month without singing “Happy Trails” until we had to sing it to Kyle Leland, who fortunately was about to rejoin us on our National Tour as a Swing/Dance Captain.
July 8th, 2011: Memphis the Musical cast members, past and present, participate in a Central Park Flash Mob. Directed and Produced by Broadway Cast Member, Hillary Elk, and Michael Jovic.
July 17, 2011: “Happy Trails” to original Broadway cast member, Rhett George, but only for a hot second, as he joined the National Tour as our “Gator.”
July 18, 2011: Broadway.com releases an “Ask A Star” segment, featuring our original leads, Chad Kimball and Montego Glover. (The totally used my question in the segment! I’m that Carolyn). Ask A Star
July 31, 2011: Again, goodbye for a moment, replacement for James Iglehart, Will Mann, enjoys a “Happy Trails” sing-song before joining the National Tour as “Bobby.”
September 7, 2011: Rehearsals start for the first National Tour of MEMPHIS. Known as the “Huey Company.”
September 11, 2011: Just shy of 200 performances as “Huey”, we sang “Happy Trails” to original Broadway cast member and “Huey” understudy, Bryan Fenkart, who joined the National Tour to play our zebra-striped protagonist.
September 25, 2011: Back for just a moment, it was another “Happy Trails” for Kyle Leland and Gregory Haney, who stepped back into the show to help us get through some injuries.
October 3, 2011: The MEMPHIS National Tour company leaves NYC for technical rehearsals in Memphis, TN, at the Orpheum Theatre which is literally on Main Street and Beale Street. Photo credit Betsy Struxness.
October 14, 2011: National Tour lauches in Memphis, TN.—”Memphis Lives in Me” stops the show. Check out this highlight reel.
October 19, 2011: Memphis Celebrates Two Years on Broadway and begins it’s 3rd Smash Year. “HockaTWO” party complete with airbrushed tattoos is a incredible way to usher in the 3rd Year…”Memphis Lives in THREE” is already being thrown around.
October, 23, 2011: Chad Kimball’s Final Performance. The outpouring of love for our original “Huey” was particularly inspiring and made for a very festive stage door!
October 23, 2011: Also said goodbye to original Broadway cast member, Cary Tedder, who originally left the show in 2010 for the WEST SIDE STORY National Tour, but who had come back into the show to get us through another injury or two.
October 25, 2011: Adam Pascal’s First Performance as “Huey Calhoun.”
October 30, 2011: Sang “Happy Trails” to Bahiyah Sayyed Gaines who joined the Broadway company of CHICAGO as lead “Velma Kelly”!!
November 16, 2011: Betsy Struxness goes on in the “Mama” track, but to cover for Betsy’s youth, “Mama” becomes “Huey’s” sister! What an evening!
November 20, 2011: We sang “Happy Trails” to Main Streeter, Paul McGill, who became a web-slinger over at SPIDERMAN TURN OFF THE DARK.
November 20, 2011: Another “Happy Trails” to stage manager, Christine Viega.
November 24, 2011: Memphis Company performs on the CBS Thanksgiving Parade in a fun version of Radio shot on and NYC playground.
December 4, 2011: Setting a record for most “Happy Trails” of 2011, we sang to Cary Tedder again who was back in the show as a temporary replacement.
December 11, 2011: A double “Happy Trails”; one for original Broadway cast member, Sydney Morton (Swing) for EVITA and to Antoine Smith, who went to join the out of town TOXIC AVENGER musical with Nancy Opel, our Cass Morgan “Mama” replacement, which meant a welcome back to Cass Morgan!
December 13, 2011: MEMPHIS Broadway announces that the performance schedule will now feature Tuesday-Thursday night 7pm performances. Memphis plays Tuesdays-Thursdays at 7 PM; Fridays-Saturdays at 8 PM; Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2 PM; and Sundays at 3 PM.
December 15, 2011: One of the funniest videos on the planet, March of the Blondes, is recorded and released by the National Tour company.
December 19, 2011: The holiday season is made even more merry and bright by the release of this youtube hit, Broadway cast members, Justin Patterson, Kevin Massey and Jamison Scott’s version of I’ll be Home for Christmas.
December 30, 2011: From the Stage Manager’s report:” Performance #917, Great show and audience. We are happy to close out 2011 with an SRO house full of enthusiastic cheering patrons. A big thank you goes out to everyone who helped make 2011 a great year for MEMPHIS.”
December 31, 2011: What are YOU Doing New Year’s eve?
Be Happy and Be Safe from Memphis on Broadway and the National Tour Huey Company!
In 2002, at the University of Colorado, Boulder, I decided it would be a great idea to produce and direct A Chorus Line for my thesis project. There was a 3 month rehearsal process because, well, we had to teach all the guys to dance, but it was an amazing project and helped define the path for my life.
Kristel Jelinek, a young, peppy, pretty freshman was cast as “Diana Morales” and a young, handsome, Business Major named Darin Brown was cast as “Mike Costafalone”.
On the first day of rehearsal, it is rumored that Kristel, while standing amongst a group of girls, called “dibs” on Darin. And so it was.
…and then one day, these two got married. I made a speech at their wedding taking full credit for the evening. Naturally.
And then we found ourselves all living and working in New York City. In fact, Kristel and Darin were even part of the crew to work with me (aka get me through) Opening Night in 2009 and then she began working at the Producer’s office, an official Junkyard Dog, in February of this year. To have worked with Kristel at the Shubert where A Chorus Line made it’s mark feels incredibly full circle.
AND because I take full credit for “producing” their entire life together, it is with tremendous pride and heart bursting joy that I announce the arrival of the newest Junkyard Dog, the Puppy Dog if you will, a Broadway Baby through and through:
Charlotte Ella Brown made her debut on December 8th, 2011, 6lbs 15oz, at 1:13am. Named “Charlotte” for Kristel’s grandmother, she is already a frontrunner to nab a nomination for “Best New Baby in a Musical”.
Check her out!
Dreaming Musical Dreams
Dad Darin is representing in the MEMPHIS National Tour T-shirt
This photo has been titled “Walk Like An Egyptian”
So even though I have bought them several nifties gifties already, I found this the other day and realized that every Memphis the Musical baby probably needs one of these.
That’s right, Bon Jovi songs redone as instrumentals perfect for the lil’ rocker. And I think I know someone who can sign this CD for this little kiddio…Memphis Composer and Co-Lyricst, David Bryan, founding and current member of Bon Jovi…I wonder if he has heard these versions?
Congrats to Kristel and Darin and welcome to the Memphis family Baby Charlotte!
Last night, our favorite “Big Brother”, J. Bernard Calloway, who originated and plays Delray on Broadway, had another little gig: a guest star appearance on the CBS drama, “Person of Interest.” This show is already on my parents weekly TV radar, so to have the Memphis connection made last night’s viewing a family affair.
Did you miss the episode? No worries, here’s a little photo recap of our dear J. Bernard!
I wasn’t quick enough to catch his name int he credits but we all clapped when we saw it.
I heard his voice before I saw his face so I was ready with the camera to catch his first big scene.
J. was into some full-on fight choreography as he brawls with “John Reese.”
Despite his fierce brawling skills, J.’s character goes down in the fight….
…and flees.
After some kidnapping and ransom, J.’s character ends up in parking garage gun fight!
But, again, “John Reese” had the upper hand…
“Oh No!” I exclaimed when J.’s character was shot.
It is always fun to see our Memphis family members in other gigs, but we are so glad to have them back every night. Now, if you saw the Press Release, J. Bernard will be taking a leave of absence to do “Jitney,” in early 2012. When I found out who is coming in to replace him while he is away, I screamed. How can I keep this news to myself??? Sorry Blogadoos, (my new term for those who read the blog), I can’t reveal it yet, but I love it. If we have to be without J. Bernard for a bit, I am so excited to have this gentleman coming in. I’m having a hard time holding it in, which means it’s time to log off the blog!
Being on the road on a National Tour is hard, especially when working over the holidays away from family and friends. The Producers made sure the Huey Company of the Memphis First National Tour would not miss out on a Thanksgiving Feast and hosted the company who is currently playing at the Palace Theater in Chicago.
Thanks to our Tour Correspondent, Jill Morrison, for sending us these pictures- a Memphis Family Thanksgiving!
The scene of the “Chow-down”- Weber Grill on North State Street.
Thanksgiving Menu- that’s a Sangria holding up the Menu…Festive!
Literal families on tour. Here ASM Anna holds Sophia (daughter of Tommy and Jocelyn, traveling Huey and Felicia dressers). CUTE!!
Not to be out-done, this little Evelyn, daughter of Head Carpenter, Matt McKim, makes a statement with her bib.
Family Gathering!
Shoot, now I am craving a Turkey Sandwich…and a Sangria….
Happy Thanksgiving Memphis Tour! We are thankful for you!!
As we celebrate our 3rd Thanksgiving on Broadway, we asked some of the Memphis family in New York and on tour what 3 things they were thankful for this year.
From our family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!
I’m most thankful for:
My health, true love for my work, and candy in my dressing room.
-Montego Glover, Memphis Broadway
1) I’m thankful for my family and for friends that are just like family
2) I’m grateful to know Love
3) I’m SO grateful to be playing Felicia Farrell on the 1st Nat’l tour of MEMPHIS! I count my Blessings daily!
-Felicia Boswell, Memphis National Tour
This year I am thankful for this beautiful experience, my happy and healthy family, and my irreplaceable boyfriend. Hockadoo!
-Bree Branker, Memphis National Tour
Bree with Mom, Cheryl Branker, and Felicia Boswell on Opening Night of Memphis in Memphis.
Bree with Boyfriend, Matthew Schneider
1. My brother Paul (former Memphis cast member, most recently web-slinging over at Spiderman)
2. My Memphis SNOB Family (Saturday Night on Broadway)
3. Also, I am thankful for the Memphis family in addition to my family.
Happy turkey day!!
-Emily McGill, Memphis Press Rep: The Hartman Group
My family
The unique people I get to meet
And the places I get to go
these all make me feel alive and part of something wonderful.
-Kevin Massey, Memphis Broadway
I am thankful for my wonderful “Memphis” family and friends, my very supportive family, (Mom, Dad, Ryan, Lexy, Jason and our cat Misty) and my loving boyfriend Michael.
-Hillary Elk, Memphis Broadway
Hillary & Michael
Hillary with family
I’m thankful for my wonderful & loving wife,
my awesome cats Zoe & Hissy,
& the blessing of being on Broadway for a 3rd year straight!
-James M. Iglehart, Memphis Broadway
1) My family
2) To know love
3) My health
-Tiffany Howard, Memphis Broadway
1) Health. I am thankful to be able to dance and sing every night, and have the facility to do so.
2) I am thankful for my Family back at home who is supporting me in this journey of my first National tour, and my new MEMPHIS family!
3) I am thankful for my never-ending ability to dream up more for myself than others think is possible. Here’s to another year full of surprises, potential and dreams coming true!
-Daisy Hobbs, Memphis National Tour
I am thankful for:
1. The amazing supportive people in my life (My family, friends, and boyfriend Johnny)
2. Candy, and desserts in general
3. MEMPHIS, for providing me with many years of work (and fun) in my favorite show, and my Broadway Debut!
-Jill Morrison, Memphis National Tour
Memphis needs to have a photo shoot for Vanity Fair and they need to have it at Earnestine & Hazel’s Bar & Grill in Memphis, TN.
Look, we already took a test shot:
Earnestine & Hazel’s used to be a brothel. Today, it is a dive bar where you can hang out upstairs in the rooms that used to be bedrooms. Don’t worry- tables have replaced beds and there are no doors to any of the rooms. So what remains is this oldie-timey-super-cool space with this amazing vibe that is calling out for the beautiful cast of National Tour to pose for pictures in fancy threads.
We think it screams “Memphis the Musical.” What do you think?
I think this blue color is even super close to the color Set Designer, David Gallo, uses on the Memphis the Musical set.
What line does this remind you of??
Mama’s fridge anyone?
Michael Hartman and Randy Adams serve it up a la “Gator” in Delray’s.
We’d have to change this to Lucky Strike in order to be 100% Memphis.
“Cruise & Groove.”
Feels like a great motto for the Memphis National Tour. Trust.
After the Starbucks adventure, it was time to meet part of the Memphis Production team for “lunch.” But the only thing that made it lunch was that we met at 11:30am- really it was everyone’s breakfast. And that’s how it came to pass that we had one of our most memorable meals ever- Fried Chicken for Breakfast in Memphis, TN.
Here was the scene of the delicious crime.
Producers Randy Adams and Sue Frost had been in Memphis, TN, for several weeks while the National Tour of MEMPHIS rehearsed and was in tech so they had time to get recommendations and scout out the best places to eat in town before the rest of the team showed up. So it was time to see if the food lived up to the “World Famous” hype.
So much food arrived. And it was diet cokes and ice teas all around. I’m pretty sure we went through 2 or three of these things of coleslaw, plus baked beans, and the fries. Oh yeah, and then there was pie.
Adam Cunningham from Interactive Media reacts to the challenge ahead.
Challenge complete!
Our waiter kept us in good spirits and coined the term “Food High” because we were definitely THAT table; the one giggling and laughing and carrying on for no reason other than experiencing the sheer joy of the moment!
The Members of the Fried Chicken Breakfast Club are from left to right: Producer Loraine Boyle, Producer Randy Adams, Press Rep Juliana Hannett, Interactive Media Adam Cunnigham, Producer Sue Frost, Head of the Hartman Group, Michael Hartman, and me (behind the camera of course)!
Where else did the cast of the Memphis National Tour enjoy eating?
It was early our first morning in Memphis and the Social Media Team needed coffee. Starbucks, specifically. We headed out from the Doubletree Hotel into a beautiful Tennessee morning confident our inner caffeine beacons would naturally guide us to the java spot we so desired.
After ten minutes of random wandering, we got out the iphone. Surely, we would be on track now.
Nope.
Something like 30 minutes elapsed and we are still wandering. I had my camera on me, so we were able to snap a lot of pictures. This seemed to give some purpose to our caffeine misadventure. (Ultimately we would duck into a bar at 10am to ask for directions. Yup, that happened. Ultimate tourist moment. Nothing is more embarrassing for a New Yorker).
Here’s are some of those photos from our “Lost Adventure”. We think we found some things that may have inspire set designer David Gallo- tell us what you think!
Industrial windows in Memphis, TN.
Windows in Memphis the Musical
The trashcan in “Colored Woman” perhaps?
What line does this remind you of??
AHHHHHHHH! Finally!
And who do we see?? Memphis Sound Designer, Ken Travis, (in the red hat) also ready to get his latte groove going.
Success!!
Next up on Adventures in Memphis, TN? “Fried Chicken for Breakfast” and “If Memphis has a Vanity Fair Shoot.”
Today, we must say goodbye and Happy Trails to Broadway Cast Member, Paul McGill- my lip literally pouted while I typed that sentence. I don’t want him to go. Not at all. No way. But alas, I am here to support him to the end in all his endeavors today and always.
He appeared on the FIRST EVER James Monroe Iglehart Show in an incredible interview; a memorable one where we learned so much about this talented young man’s career in the arts that James is clearly stunned by the things that are revealed. And so, the JMI show was launched off this first interview with Paul, proving that there are so many things behind each performer on our stage every night; things that, like James, will leave you impressed and speechless.
Paul, on behalf of the production and fans of Memphis Broadway, I say
We love you,
We will miss you,
And we thank you for being a part of our family for as long as you have.
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