MEMPHIS Mesmerizes!

You need to get yourself to the Schubert. Who cares that the seats are made for midgets? Who cares that some very, very rude people came in 15 minutes into the show and took forever to sit down and were incredibly rude to both the performers and those of us who know how to get to a show on time? Who cares that people sit in the audience looking at their CrackBerries during the performance?

From the very first note of the show we were mesmerized. MEMPHIS is that now rarity on Broadway . . . an original show with an original score and a cast whose names we have never heard before. But you will be hearing about them now. It’s a powerhouse of talent and energy. Singers who can dance and dancers who can sing.

From the moment he steps on stage, Chad Kimball - the male lead - forces you to like him with his kinetic energy and quirky mannerisms. Montego Glover is on Broadway for only the 2nd time in her life and if we have anything to say about it, she should move her things to the theatre district and find an apartment very close by. Montego has just a few kilowatts' less power in her voice than Jennifer Holiday but she dances and acts as if she’s been doing it forever.

A little bit of Romeo and Juliet perhaps, with a touch of Dreamgirls to make this an exciting adventure, the set was the perfect backdrop for the story. While there are probably thousands of stories about segregated life in the early 50’s in the South this one touched us. The costumes worked perfectly against the set and the entire ensemble oozed talent. There was an energy throughout the theater . . . so much so that when the show ended every single audience member was on his or her feet.

Montego then spoke for 5 minutes about the importance of Broadway Cares Equity Fights Aids and almost no one left. We were all as mesmerized by her plea for help as we were by the show.

A major disappointment though was that the cast album has not yet been produced. We are still humming the music and will be anxiously checking itunes for its release. MEMPHIS is the current top runner for our vote for Best Musical.

Have a great weekend!
Next week look for our impressions of WISHFUL DRINKING and NIGHTINGALE.