Test your knowledge of Memphis the musical! How well do you know the story of a daring DJ who brought black and white music together in the 1950s? Featuring music by David Bryan and a Tony Award-winning Broadway run, Memphis captured audiences with its electrifying soundtrack and powerful message. Dive into these trivia facts to see how much you really know about this groundbreaking show!
International Productions
- The Japanese production of the musical started in January 2015 in Tokyo, bringing the show to an international audience.
- The Australian production in 2017 received rave reviews and enjoyed sold-out performances during its run.
- The South Korean production of the musical premiered in Seoul in 2023 and featured multiple actors alternating in the lead roles.
Musical Composition
- The musical features music by David Bryan and lyrics by Bryan and Joe DiPietro, with a book by DiPietro.
Notable Tours
- Before its Broadway debut, 'Memphis' was performed at several regional theaters including North Shore Music Theatre and TheatreWorks.
- The first national US tour of the musical kicked off in Memphis, Tennessee in October 2011.
- A German tour production began on May 6, 2022 at the Capitol Theater Offenbach.
Production Facts
- Memphis is a musical inspired by the real-life story of Dewey Phillips, one of the first white DJs to play black music in the 1950s.
- Memphis debuted on Broadway on October 19, 2009, at the Shubert Theatre and ran until August 5, 2012.
- The show won four Tony Awards, including Best Musical, during its Broadway run.
- The main character, Huey Calhoun, is loosely based on the real-life Dewey Phillips.
- The term 'Hockadoo!', used frequently in the musical, is a made-up expression by the character Huey Calhoun.
- Montego Glover, who played Felicia Farrell, shared the stage with Chad Kimball, who starred as Huey Calhoun, in both the pre-Broadway and Broadway productions.
- The first amateur production of the musical involved high school students from across Illinois, showcasing their talents in a professional theatre setting.
- The West End production of the musical starred notable performers such as Beverley Knight and Matt Cardle, and ran until October 2015.
