Memphis - Australasian Premiere Cast Announced
StageArt has announce the cast for the Australasian premiere of the Tony award-winning Memphis the Musical, which will play at Prahran’s Chapel off Chapel from 6 October 2017.
James Elmer (ABC 3 and MTV host) leads the cast as ambitious young DJ Huey Calhoun, who is passionate about African-American rock ‘n’ roll music and is determined to bring it to a mainstream audience. He starts to fall for the incredibly talented and beautiful star on the rise, Felicia, played by Elandrah Eramiha-Feo (In the Heights).
Felicia’s protective older brother Delray, owner of an underground black rock ‘n’ roll bar, is played by Iopu Auva’a (The Color Purple, Dreamgirls). Mandi Lodge (Shirley Valentine, Always… Patsy Cline) will star as “Mama” Gladys Calhoun, Huey’s tough and hard-working mother.
Isaac Lindley (RENT, Our Country’s Good) will play Gator, a very attentive (but mute) bartender at Delray’s Beale Street Club and Nik Murillo will play Bobby, who frequents the club and works as a janitor during the day. Greg Pascoe (Les Misérables, Into the Woods) will play Mr Simmons, the owner of radio station WHDZ, who begrudgingly gives Huey his big break.
The cast is rounded out with a stellar ensemble, comprising Lucas Biondo, Wem Etuknwa, Lachlan Nash, Callum Warrender, Tanisha Buhanec, Agnes Fifita, Jason Yang-Westland, Tsungirai Wachenuka, Bianca Bruce, Laura Greenhalgh and Stephanie Marion Wood.
Memphis is a 2009 Broadway musical with music and lyrics by David Bryan (the keyboardist of Bon Jovi) and lyrics and book by Joe DiPietro. It is loosely based on the story of Memphis disc jockey Dewey Phillips, one of the first white DJs to play black music in the 1950s. The production won four 2010 Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
StageArt, led by Katherine Armstrong and Robbie Carmellotti, continues to produce musicals that are rarely seen on Australian stages. The company strives to cast its shows with diversity and equality by showcasing the extraordinary talent that exists locally.
StageArt presents Memphis the Musical
From 6 October 2017
Chapel off Chapel
12 Little Chapel Street, Prahran
Tickets on NOW ON SALE, ticket prices $49-$69
ph: 03 8290 7000