Just over a week ago, The Lexington Opera House had to put a pause on events at the historic theatre when cracks were discovered in the drywall in the upper balcony. Safety inspectors and engineers were called in and they cleared the venue just in time for Thursday night’s opening of the Lexington Theatre Company’s production of ‘Memphis.’
The musical is set in the pre-civil rights era in Memphis, Tennessee, and is the second production this summer for The Lex. This is the company’s co-founder and Artistic Director, Lyndy Franklin Smith.
“It is a beautiful story about the birth of Rock and Roll and about communities really coming together. It’s got music by David Bryan from Bon Jovi. It is a killer score. It is an incredible company. It is literally going to just knock everyone’s socks off so I can’t wait for folks to come out and enjoy it.”
The story centers around Huey, a white music lover turned DJ, and Felicia, a Black soul singer at a club on Beale Street.
“He falls in love with her, and her music, and he is determined to play it on the radio because he wants everyone to experience it and this beautiful young couple has brilliant ideas about how we can come together as a community. What has been amazing is that our cast and team, as they’ve been exploring these themes, were finding them just as relevant today in 2023 and just as important of a story that we want to tell.”
At the helm of ‘Memphis,’ is Director Eric Jackson.
“We have characters who in light of adversity and the atrocities that they are faced with, they are able to still hold on to hope and there is still that passion, drive, and desire for the better. For change for good.”
As for the music of ‘Memphis,’ Jackson says it’s written by artists who love music at their core and have been able to write realistic and authentic pieces that run the gamut of genres.
“Soul songs, gospel songs, they have rock & roll songs, and so what I’m excited by is the fact that you’re not just going to the theater to hear regular traditional musical theater. This is a rock concert. This is a gospel concert. This is a soul concert. And it is astounding.”
Music Director Brock Terry says the songs of ‘Memphis’ could almost be treated as its own character.
“Literally everything musically is showing that even when we’re a community divided that there is a power and there is a force that can cause change and that can cause us to come together. And I think that music is one of those things.”
And returning to The Lexington Theatre Company this summer for her fourth stint as choreographer, Mara Newbery Greer says she was drawn to ‘Memphis’ because of the sound and the message that she thinks will resonate with audiences today.
“The groove that’s in the show is just so infectious. It’s a cool rhythm. It’s that 50’s, 60’s kind of feel in the music which I love but it’s the as they kind of say in the show, it’s that underground feel. And it’s just a little grimy, a little dirty and oh I love it! But I love a show about community and that’s ultimately what this show is. It’s about people that are changing the narrative about what community can be and that there doesn’t have to be division.”
So, what does Jackson hope that you will take away when you see ‘Memphis?’
“The power that we all potentially have to create positive ripple effects in our community. In this show, it is Huey who is using the power of music and the power of art to bring communities together. That is something that I think we as artists try to do in our work. And I love the fact that it is put on stage to acknowledge the fact here we have music from the Black community that is reaching out to the white community. Suddenly minds start to open. People are confronted and are having to face new communities, new people, new ideas and possibly change and grow.”
‘Memphis’ runs Friday and Saturday night at 7:30 and matinees are Saturday and Sunday at 1:00. Again, safety inspectors and engineers have cleared the Opera House to be open on the mezzanine and orchestra levels.
And full disclosure, WUKY anchor and reporter Karyn Czar is part of the ensemble of this production.
For ticket information visit lexingtontheatrecompany.org.
