memphis at ivoryton playhouse

The Ivoryton Playhouse leaves the sunny tropical shores of the South Pacific in August and travels to the sizzling backstreets of ‘50s MEMPHIS.

MEMPHIS is set in the places where rock and roll was born – the seedy, underground dance clubs, radio stations and recording studios in 1950s Memphis, Tennessee. Inspired by true events, this high energy musical tells the story of DJ Huey Calhoun, who falls in love with a beautiful singer and battles cultural divides as he tries to bring her voice to the airwaves of America. As their careers rise, a revolution erupts when his vision meets her voice and the music changed forever. With an original score, this musical is filled with heart, soul and energy to burn! Winner of four 2010 Tony Awards, MEMPHIS was written by Joe DiPietro (I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, All Shook Up) with electrifying blues, rock, ballads and gospel music created by Bon Jovi’s David Bryan.

Writer Joe DiPietro will be joining the cast on stage for a talk-back after the performance on opening night, Friday August 7th, followed by a reception with the cast and crew. Limited tickets are still available for this performance.

The Playhouse production of MEMPHIS is directed and choreographed by Todd Underwood, whose last work was seen at the Ivoryton Playhouse as choreographer for La Cage aux Folles and Dreamgirls. The show features Carson Higgins as Huey, Rénee Jackson as Felicia Farrell, Teren Carter as Delray, Jamal Shuriah as Gator.

Musical directed by Michael Morris, the set is designed by Martin Scott Marchitto, lighting by Doug Harry and costumes by Elizabeth Cipollina.

MEMPHIS opens at the Ivoryton Playhouse in previews on August 5th (official opening August 7th) and runs through August 30th, 2015. Performance times are Wednesday and Sunday matinees at 2pm. Evening performances are Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30pm, Friday and Saturday at 8pm. There will be two additional Saturday matinees on August 22nd and 29th at 2pm.

Tickets are $42 for adults, $37 for seniors, $20 for students and $15 for children and are available by calling the Playhouse box office at 860.767.7318 or by visiting our website at www.ivorytonplayhouse.org (Group rates are available by calling the box office for information.) The Playhouse is located at 103 Main Street in Ivoryton.