As an Associate Director to Chris Ashley on MEMPHIS, Bea was a fixture at the theater, coming in to give notes to actors and help replacements find their performances. Soft spoken with an incredible eye, Bea will always be remembered for her contributions to this show and the many others she worked on in her career.

To honor Bea, MEMPHIS will take a day of silence across our networks.

Thank you, Bea. For everything.

Playbill.com writes:
Beatrice Terry, a theatre director who was the associate director on several Broadway shows, died May 15 at her home in Jackson Heights, Queens. She had been battling cancer.

Born in 1960, Ms. Terry’s New York directing credits included productions at the Ensemble Studio Theatre, HERE Arts Center and Pearl Theatre Company.

Uptown, she filled the critical, albeit unsung, position of associate director on a number of many Broadway plays and musicals, including Memphis, God of Carnage, La Bete and the recent Leap of Faith, assisting directors like Matthew Warchus and Christopher Ashley.

She was assistant director on the Broadway production of Spring Awakening, and later worked on its national tour.

She was a recipient of a NEA/TCG Career Development Program for Directors and a Drama League Fellowship.
Ms. Terry was most proud of her work as director on several shows in NYC including The Germ Project with New Georges and Lesbian Pulp-O-Rama! She was also the author of several plays and musicals for children, as well as the adult satires Ronbenet and Over a Barrel.

She is survived by her wife, playwright Gretchen M. Michelfeld, and three-year-old son, Beckett, as well as her parents, her sisters and their families in Texas.

On this week for Quentin Earl Darrington, Kent Overshown turned in a great performance last night as “Delray”. Here is is with Rhett George (Gator). Fun Fact: Rhett will actually go on as “Delray” this weekend and Jody Reynard will cover “Gator.” Gotta make sure all our bases our covered on that stage so Rhett will get a chance to do Delray again (a role he also covered on Broadway).

Austin Owen (Huey cover) with friend, and bow-tie rockin’, Micah Green.

“Huey Calhoun” Bryan Fenkart, gets a visit from Christopher Gurr. If you aren’t following Christopher on twitter (@ChristopherGurr) you are missing out on some seriously great foodie photos as he eats his way across the country; though you’d never guess it by his trim physique.

Micah gets in some more face time with Memphis Producer, Francine Bizar.

Music Director, Alvin Hough Jr., with Kent, Will Mann, Jody Reynard, and new tour cast member Tami Dahbura. Beautiful People inside and out.

-Carolyn

So what do we have going on here:

1. Rumor has it, Peanut Butter Square making Producer, Francine Bizar, is here with her famous squares

2. Tour “Mama”, Julie Johnson, is in her hometown so she has a lot of visiting, and press, to do

3. Shooting more tour b-roll (video footage) tonight. If you missed our Dallas Promo, here it is again.

If you watch this, you’ll note that all of my footage from the Memphis, TN, tour opening was shot from one side. Soooo we need footage from a different angle in order to keep bringing you the most interesting and in-depth social treats we can.

4. Interviews with Tour “Huey” and “Felicia”, Bryan Fenkart (swoon) and Felicia Boswell (gorgeous).

5. Anything else I can wrangle out of my time here.

Special shout out to my good college buddy, Lindsey Wilson, for sending me this awesome link to the MEMPHIS themed food menu provided by Dining at the Music Hall. This is kind of putting my current restaurant reservation to shame so I don’t want any of you planning your Dallas MEMPHIS evening to not be “in the know” about all your options.

Check out what they are serving up! I’m particularly fond of the name choices for “Calhoun’s Cabbage Crunch” and “Hocka “Honey” Doo. Naturally, they are serving Black and White Rice. It took me a couple of passes to realize the genius of “Roll”maine as “Romaine.” Texas, I’m liking your sass.

Mr. Simon’s Salad Station
“Rock” and “Roll”maine
Field Greens

Delray Dressings
Smoked Paprika ▪ Balsamic ▪ Buttermilk ▪ Lemon Mint

Composed
Bobby Bean Salad ▪ “Hocka “Honey “Doo
“Rock” Shrimp and “Roll”ed Noodle Salad
Calhoun’s Cabbage Crunch

Grazing
Dry and Salt Cured Salami ▪ Picked Vegetables ▪ Smears ▪ Crackers
Local and Imported Cheeses ▪ Grilled and Chilled Vegetables

Beale Street Butcher Shoppe
Tamarind BBQ Glazed Sirloin
Jalapeño Smoked Rope

Radio
Felicia’s Fried Chicken and Waffles
Butter Poached Flounder
Mac and Cheeses
Blue Collard Greens
Black and White Rice
Market Vegetables
Huey’s Hot and Sour Breen Beans

Tune In Table
Featuring Warm Coconut Bread Pudding
Fruit Cobbler ▪ Assorted Confections

I wonder if the cast will get to sample this fare at the Fair over the next two weeks! Will you?

Join us at Music Hall at Fair Park from May 15-27 and see what all the Hockadoo Hullabaloo is all about. Click here for ticket info.

-Carolyn

Carolyn D. Miller works as an Associate Producer at Junkyard Dog Productions; Producers of MEMPHIS. She may have written this blog while poolside; thank you internet.

Hometown:
New York, NEW YORK born. Raised in Flanders, NJ, but you said “home” and this is it.

What’s your role in MEMPHIS?
I play “Ethel”, which is a featured ensemble part including Bobby’s girlfriend and Felicia Farrell fanatic.

When did you debut in MEMPHIS?
January 28, 2011.

Favorite costume piece:
ooooo! On Me- the green dress I wear for “Ain’t Nothin’ but a Kiss”. My hips swish in that dress so fiercely.
On others- I think “Huey’s” alligator green suit he was planning on wearing (in ACT 2) is hilarious. I’m not sure where they even found a fabric it’s so abrasive.

Must-haves in the dressing room:
Snacks and pictures of family and friends. In that order.

Question you are most frequently asked at the Stage Door:
Not so much a question, but people are constantly surprised by how little I am in size. It’s usually a positive thing, or at least I take it to mean I dance bigger than I am. Small but mighty.

Who are you still so excited you’ve gotten to meet because of your job?
OPRAH. I really have never been so starstruck; it was a blur. I think I stuttered! Maybe I was speechless, who knows?!

What’s your favorite thing to do on your day off?
Sleeping in and then breakfast in bed with my man* while catching up on TV shows
*Her man is fellow Memphian Preston Dugger III, pictured here at the MEMPHIS 1000th performance party

First professional “theatre-related” job:
I was a headliner for “This Joint is Jumpin” at The Supper Club. I was 16 years old, and it was a late night friday and saturday gig. Tap dancing to swing music in front of a live jazz band with an “Ella Fitzgerald” type blues singer and a guy who embodied Cab Calloway. It was the coolest thing ever. The most money I had ever made at that time, and gave me my first peek at “the business.” I felt glamorous and exhausted, juggling that and high school.

First Broadway Show you saw:
It was either BEAUTY AND THE BEAST or ANNIE; my mom has the playbills saved somewhere but I don’t remember which came first. :/

What is your favorite piece of MEMPHIS swag?
Getting to be on the TONY broadcast last year gave me street swag. Since I am not an original company member, it’s kind of badass. The hoodies are cool, too.

What’s your subway line?
Good ol’ A train. “Broadway Express” some people call it, because you WILL run into other castmates, crew, musicians, directors, writers, choreographers, and audience members reading your bio in the playbill and staring at you.

Any Pets?
Not in my tiny apartment! Maybe one day though I’d love to have a dog. But I also like not having to go home in between shows to walk one. Although I see it come in handy as an excuse for some of my friends!

Current Restaurant delivery obsession:
Kodama sushi

Current beverage obsession:
Tea. Any kind, any time of day, any kind of weather. I’m an old British grandma and always have been. I get it from my mom. It cures everything!

Are you OCD about anything?
Succeeding and inspiring others while doing it. Sometimes I put too much pressure on myself, but then take a deep breath in and look around and am reminded that life is about the journey not the destination.

Last movie you saw or “Netflixed”?
Contagion, next up- the last Harry Potter. I know I know.

Phone or Blackberry?
iphone. Yes, my life changed.

Starbucks or Diet Coke?
I guess Starbucks because they have tea.

What’s your favorite part about working on MEMPHIS on Broadway?
Besides the talent, the story, and the killer movement and vocals we are giving each night…I have met the most handsome and wonderful man in my world. AND I get to dance with him every night, and share our love with everyone else onstage and off. So cheesy but true!

PHOTO BY: Justin Patterson Photography (Yup, as in “Buck Wiley” Justin Patterson) Check out his website here: http://www.jpattersonphoto.com/

Two years ago, when MEMPHIS was nominated for 8 TONY Awards- can you name them all?- it was a day of jubilation unlike anything I had ever experienced. If you were with us then, you might remember we were nominated for BEST MUSICAL along with Fela!, American Idiot, and Million Dollar Quartet.

Walking past the Hilton Theater that afternoon where we had rehearsed what seems like a minute ago, it hit me like a ton of bricks. We were a TONY nominated show. The TONYs. How illusive they had always seemed-they were for other people- the Bernadettes, and the Sondheims, the Hal Princes of the world. But now, they were for us. We were on the list as a nominee.

We were so excited to be nominated I can’t even tell you- so I have to show you with a little video from the archives!

WARNING: there is a “little bit” of screaming in the first few seconds of the video. Producer Randy Adams’ heartfelt speech to the company at the end still gets me.

So on this nomination eve, to all those eligible shows, designers, performers and producers, we wish you the very best.

We wish we could buy you all a celebratory Diet Coke.

love,
Memphis the Musical

Carolyn Miller is an Associate Producer with Junkyard Dog Productions- Producers of MEMPHIS. She is currently drinking Diet Coke as she writes this blog and no, she does not yet have an endorsement deal with Coca Cola.

So if you are heading out to partake in the festivities, we wanted to give you an inside track on what the MEMPHIS cast would be singing if you stumbled across them in a local Karaoke Bar. My dream is to actually take them to a Karaoke bar and film these selections, but that is going to take some serious planning and probably some serious convincing and a little bribery (except maybe with James Iglehart who seems to be down for karaoke). For now, here’s a list from MEMPHIS Broadway and National Tour cast members of their “go-to” karaoke songs. SING IT, kids!

With a little internet digging, I found at least two of the cast members singing their “go-to” songs so make sure you check those out at the bottom of the blog entry!

Montego Glover (Felicia, B’way):
“Something To Talk About” – Bonnie Raitt.

Hillary Elk (White Teenager, B’way):
“Take me or Leave me” from RENT. My best friend, Paige, and I always do it as a duet;).

Bryan Fenkart: (Huey, Nat’l Tour):
“New York State of Mind”- Billy Joel

James M. Iglehart (Bobby, B’way):
“Papa was a Rolling Stone”-Temptations and “Kiss”- Prince
But my fantasy songs have always been:
“Good Luck Charm”- Elvis Presley
And “Come Fly with Me”- Frank Sinatra.
What can I say I did Karaoke for a year in and a half in college every Friday and Saturday night…& I loved it!

Derrick Baskin (Gator, B’way):
“Living for the city!”- Stevie Wonder

Jody Reynard (Ensemble, u/s Gator, Nat’l Tour):
“Shower Me with Your Love”- Surface

Monette McKay (Ethel, B’way):
“I wanna dance with somebody”- Whitney Houston

Carmen Borders (Beale St. Ensemble, B’way):
“Killing Me Softly” -The Fugees

Kevin Massey (Main Street ensemble, u/s Huey, B’way):
“Living on a Prayer”- Bon Jovi
then I would promptly kill the buzz with “More than Words” by Extreme

Tami Dahbura (Ensemble, u/s Gladys, Nat’l Tour):
“Don’t Rain On My Parade”- Bob Merrill and Jule Styne from FUNNY GIRL

Antoine Smith (Wailin’ Joe/Rev. Hobson/ u/s Bobby, Gator, Delray, B’way):
“Get Here”- Oleta Adams

Jamison Scott (Perry Como, B’way):
“Lonely Teardrops”-Jackie Wilson

Angela Brydon (Main St. ensemble, B’way):
Anything Patsy Cline. Especially “Crazy!!!”

Dan’yelle Williamson (Beale St. Ensemble/u/s Felicia, B’way):
“I will always love you”- Whitney Houston

J. Bernard Calloway
“One in a Million”- Larry Graham

What are you all singing when you go to karaoke?

-Carolyn

Carolyn works as an Associate Producer at Junkyard Dog Productions- Producers of MEMPHIS. She does not karaoke except for that one time when she sang “Stay” by Lisa Loeb. It was a limited engagement, one-night-only performance.

Today is Wednesday, yes, but it is also World Malaria Day; an initiative begun by the World Health Initiative in 2007 to help curb the effects of malaria. I had no idea that there was a World Malaria Day, so I started to do some googling. The WHO notes that every year, there are 216 million malaria cases and an estimated resulting 655,000 deaths. From Wikipedia: “Ninety percent of malaria-related deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa, with 60% of deaths being young children under the age of five.” Nothing But Nets reports that every 60 second, a child dies from malaria. Tough to read those kind of statistics, so what are we doing about it?

Today, MEMPHIS is joining the United Nations Foundation’s Nothing But Nets campaign and Broadway Cares / Equity Fights Aids to send life-saving mosquito nets to refugees fleeing violence in South Sudan. Along with LION KING, PORGY AND BESS, GODSPELL, and PRICILLA, MEMPHIS on Broadway will be doing an in-theater donation collection after each of our shows today.

Not in NYC or the Shubert Theatre today? Here is a link if you’d like to donate click here Nothing But Nets

From Nothing But Nets:
“Bed nets work by creating a protective barrier against deadly-malaria carrying mosquitoes that bite at night. A family of four can sleep under an insecticide-treated bed net, safe from malaria, for three years. The benefits of bed nets extend even further than protecting those sleeping underneath them. The insecticide woven into each net makes entire communities safer – killing and repelling mosquitoes so that they can’t go on to bite others who may not be protected by a net. Bed nets can reduce malaria transmissions by 90 percent in areas with high coverage rates.”

So all the mosquito has to do is land on the net and POW! Mosquito no more. It’s pretty rad when you think that one $10 donation buys a bed net that could save a persons life or drastically reduce the risk of infection. That’s two lattes. That’s less than I spent on lunch today. So I donated.

Thanks for the opportunity to tell you about World Malaria Day and how MEMPHIS is participating.

-Carolyn

Carolyn D. Miller is an Associate Producer at Junkyard Dog Productions- Producers of MEMPHIS. After writing this blog, she became a Netvocate.

On the surface, this could be a story of “all or nothing.” Fortunately, when you sit down with Memphis Ensemble/”Huey” understudy, Kevin Massey, you realize that there are so many colors between here and there, between now and then, between on and off that the story is deep and compelling and very very sweet. And what a better time to discover that than this week when Kevin is on as “Huey” for the vacationing, Adam Pascal.

So what am I talking about, this “all or nothing” concept? Massey’s track in the show is rather unique in the MEMPHIS ensemble. Because that track is the always filled by the onstage “Huey” cover, it was created in such a way that it is easy to cover what he does when he goes on for “Huey.” From the house, the role is small but with memorable moments: the crotch thrusting in the Collins scene, the WSAL radio station owner, and in the attack scene in the act one finale. So for the majority of this interview, we focused on what it is like to be in the “Huey” spotlight.

For someone who is not naturally as wild or outgoing as “Huey,” playing the role has helped Massey get in touch with his goofier side, realizing he does have more of a playful and silly nature then he thought.

“I’m not really an outspoken person who would shake things up like “Huey” does. But I am really embracing my goofy side. I think that is kind of what I have really loved about “Huey.” What’s not totally me is that he says whatever is on his mind, he doesn’t filter, and I filter a lot. I’m learning to do that less.”

I ask him what’s happening in his life now that is allowing him to drop the filter.

“Being in a relationship with someone for a long time and moving forward with that. I’ve noticed that when I feel like I am totally myself, I am enjoying life more, the people around me are enjoying life more. But when I am in my head, it makes others feel awkward as well.”

This relationship is with Kara Lindsay, currently starring opposite Jeremy Jordan in NEWSIES. Kara helped spearheaded a group of her castmates to come to the show this past Tuesday night to watch him go on in the lead role.

Kevin, with his leading ladies, Montego Glover and Kara Lindsay after the show Tuesday night.

Photo by Kenny Seymour

The NEWSIES cast poses with the MEMPHIS company post-show.

Photo by Kenny Seymour

Though Kara “still gets nervous” while watching him perform the ginormous role, Massey is turning out a fantastical performance as “Huey”; it’s wide-eyed and honest with great vocals. And then there’s the “unexpected’ six pack when “Huey” comes out in Act 2. Someone asked me at the back of the house Tuesday “How long has he had those abs?” I replied, “Since always!” [I don't know how I knew that, I guess I became aware of them early on in his run with MEMPHIS. In fact, I think James Iglehart was the first one to tell me how "ripped" Kevin was but that's neither here nor there.]

For anyone following Twitter this week, you’ve see the new hashtag #CrazyLegsMassey which is totally earned by him in the “Make Me Stronger” number. For someone who doesn’t consider himself a dancer, Massey’s approach to Huey is very athletic and confident in his body; a loose and free movement vocabulary Massey probably picked up during his run in TARZAN where he too understudied the leading role. “Tarzan was really valuable to me,” he says.”I had to move in a totally different way.”

Will it be hard to go back to your regular track after playing “Huey” this week? I ask.

“No, it is what it is.” Massey says. “It would be really hard if I didn’t enjoy the cast members in the show as much as I do and I can find joy in that.”

And while Massey is grateful for the opportunity, being an understudy isn’t the ultimate goal. For many actors like Massey, taking an understudy role is usually a strategic move. One that allows the industry to start seeing you as someone who is capable of thriving in the leading player’s shoes. But for now, he is very happy to be working in New York and not on the road so can be near his self described “lady love”, Kara.

“I’m happy to be in the same city as Kara. I’m happy to be working in a great show”.

When asked if he had any dream roles he’d like to play, the answer comes quickly. “Tony, in WEST SIDE STORY.” Attention all you producers and casting directors looking to do a revival of WEST SIDE: We’ve got your “Tony” right here.

Something’s coming Kevin, Something Good.

For more pictures of the NEWSIES visit to MEMPHIS, check out Playbill.com

BEHIND THE TITLE QUESTIONS with Kevin Massey

When did you make your Memphis debut?
I believe it was February 22, 2011

What is your favorite phrase to sing in the show (as Huey and in your ensemble role)?
as Huey: “There’s a town where I call home, where all the streets are paved with soul”..I love that “paved with soul”
as ensemble: “We love when it hops, We love when it bops” I like the harmony there.

Who is the biggest character in the dressing room?
As Huey:….me
Ensemble: Justin [Patterson: "Buck Wiley"]…though there are so many characters…he’s probably the “loudest”. It’s a good thing. We feed off each other.

Who are you still so excited you’ve gotten to meet because of being in MEMPHIS?
Joe Biden and his wife. It was such a hullabaloo with secret service everywhere, and that made it exciting. Of course, Oprah was great too, and I got in a tabloid with her

What’s your favorite thing to do on your day off?
Spend time with my love, Kara. Also, to be out in the sun and eat with friends.

First Broadway Show you saw:
I think it was THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL. I don’t remember which version. In fact, all I remember was them singing “We seek him here, We seek him there….” The first performance that truly inspired me was seeing Heather Headley in AIDA. I didn’t know anything about her at the time, but I did when I went back home and looked her up!

What is your favorite piece of MEMPHIS swag?
The baby onesie that says “Hockadoo” and the on the backside says “Is that Dirty?”

What’s your subway line?
E train has been the most useful to me, though I can take F/R/M/7

Any Pets?
Not ready for that kind of commitment yet, though Kara is working on me

Current Restaurant delivery obsession:
I actually don’t get delivery that much, but if I did, it would be Schnippers

Current Beverage Obsession:
Protein buzz with blueberries, almond milk, and extra shot of hemp protein at Juice Generation. SO good!

What are you OCD about?
Checking my stocks….

Last movie you saw or “Netflixed”?
The Descendants, and I gotta say….I feel my brain descended into the land of boredom very quickly.

iPhone or Blackberry?
DROID!!!!…but will get iPhone soon I think

What’s one thing that fans would be surprised to know about you?
I’m a gluten-free former pre-med student who lived in Taiwan for a summer before taking a week long bike ride from the Berkshires of Massachusetts to Provincetown with my Dad. That’s just a snippet

Thanks Kevin!

-Carolyn

Carolyn works as an Associate Producer at Junkyard Dog Productions- Producers of MEMPHIS. Carolyn will actually be enjoying a gluten-free cupcake today as a sort of homage to Kevin Massey from The Little Cakes, gluten-free bakery. www.thelittlecakesnyc.com

1. Your luggage has zebra striped accessories…

(Photographed: Producer Sue Frost’s luggage. Don’t ever let anyone steal your rock ‘n’ roll, OR your luggage.)

2. You have “Hockadoo” come up as predictive text on your phone

3. You see this on “Netflix”:

4. You find yourself seeing MEMPHIS everywhere, even in the sky!

5. You spend 10 minutes contemplating how you might be able to pry this subway ad off the wall:

EXTRA SHOW POWER POINTS: Your dog refuses to leave Shubert Alley:

GOT SOME SASSY, WITTY or TRUE STATEMENTS TO SHARE? Join in the conversation on Twitter! #YouKnowYoureAMemphisFanWhen @MemphisBroadway

Carolyn works as an Associate Producer at Junkyard Dog Productions- Producers of MEMPHIS. she may have one or more security passwords that incorporate the word “Hockadoo.”

If you are not yet into Pinterest.com, that’s OK! Perhaps Memphis can be the gateway for you.

If you pin, try following Memphis (Memphis On) or http://pinterest.com/memphisbroadway/

If you are holding out and are not sure you want to add yet ANOTHER thing to your already full social media plate and need some convincing, look at what I found TODAY whilst I was doing some personal pinning:

Zebra Bundt cake Recipe

Zebra Bundt cake. Yup. Kind of perfect when you are constantly looking for show-propriate treats for the MEMPHIS cast and crew.

I wonder what the next festive event will be?

Cinco de Memphis?

Hockadoo!

-Carolyn

Carolyn works as an Associate Producer at Junkyard Dog Productions- Producers of MEMPHIS. When she is not on Pinterest.com…well, there is never a time when she is not on Pinterest.com.