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Regional Reviews: Florida - Southern Memphis Also see John's review of Pippin and coverage of the 2014 Carbonell Awards
It's 1950s Memphis, and there is a party at a smoky, black rock 'n' roll bar owned by Delray (Keith Patrick McCoy), where his talented sister Felicia regularly sings her heart out. On this particular night, an uninvited white man named Huey (Daniel S. Hines) wanders into the club drawn by the sound of her voice and the style of the music he loves. Recently fired from his job at a store, Huey is short on education and experience, but has a big personality and passion for rock and roll music. The problem is that the music he loves is not considered mainstream. It is considered "black," and in Memphis in the 1950s racism was regrettably the norm. Radio stations shied away from playing music by black recording artists even if they liked it because they had to answer to their sponsors and their listening audience. After applying all over town for DJ jobs, Huey finally lands one. When he sneaks in an African-American rock 'n' roll tune, his boss Mr. Simmons (Chuck Caruso) flips out. The listener response, however, is overwhelming, as is the sponsor's response to Huey's fresh take on promoting their product on air. Huey's unconventional personality and high energy make him a local sensation, but his level of stardom doesn't protect him from the dangers of discrimination when he starts dating Felicia. Memphis is not just the story of Huey and Felicia fighting the odds to achieve a level of recognition. It is the story of the evolution of rock 'n' roll emerging from its African-American musical roots into the mainstream of a country ripe with racial inequality. There may not be a tune you will leave singing after seeing this production, but there are some nice music moments that are well sung. Since the subject matter is rock 'n' roll, we are treated to fleeting moments of songs indicative of the time period. Huey's numbers are more character based, and actor Daniel S. Hines has the right edge in his portrayal of Huey. There is an odd vulnerability in his directness, and a lack of guile in his pursuit of his dreams. Zuri Washington as Felicia is lovely and passionate in her approach to the role. There is a certain degree of punch missing to the over-all performance level of this cast, so her performance stands out for her commitment to her character. Her performance of the song "Colored Woman" is one of the best moments in the show. The choreography is stylized to fit the time period. Though energetic and generally appealing, there are moments lacking in precision of execution by the ensemble, particularly in the large dance number near the end of act one. Costuming and lighting design serve to immerse us in the feel of the '50s. The various settings—from the smoky bar, to a sparse apartment, a radio station, and an on-air TV station, are all clearly delineated by well executed lighting, though a few transition moments needed to be smoother at the performance I attended. Solid supporting role performances are turned in by Keith Patrick McCoy as the sternly protective Delray, and Pat Sibley as Huey's Mama. Other than that, this tour has a slightly weary feel to it. It's as though the actors are lacking in excitement. Their character choices need to be clean and bigger, their needs more urgently expressed, and the scene pacing needs to be picked up. Though this production of Memphis is pleasant, it is not one with a great deal of passion, and the subject matter is one that is undeniably deserving of a more passionate approach. This tour of Memphis will be appearing on the Marden Stage, in Dreyfoos Hall, at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts through April 12, 2015. The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts is located at 701 Okeechobee Boulevard in West Palm Beach, Florida. For tickets to this show, and/or information on their season, you may contact them by phone at 561-832-7469 (561-832-SHOW) or 1-800-572-8471, or online at www.kravis.org. For more information on this tour go to www.MemphisTour2015.com. Executive Producer of The Prather Entertainment Group, William T. Prather, followed in the footsteps of his successful parents. He is a second generation theatre producer who has produced more than 290 shows in the past 25 years. Under his direction The Prather Entertainment Group's current operations include the Broadway Palm Dinner Theater in Fort Myers, FL, the Dutch Apple Dinner Theater in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, as well as national touring productions such as Memphis. Cast: Crew:
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