Full cast announced for West End premiere of Memphis

The West End premiere of Memphis The Musical, opening at the Shaftesbury Theatre on 23 Oct 2014, following previews from 09 Oct and booking to 28 Mar 2015, has now announced full casting.

Joining previously announced stars Beverley Knight (Felicia Farrell) and Killian Donnelly (Huey Calhoun) will be Rolan Bell (Delray), Tyrone Huntley (Gator), Claire Machin (Gladys), Jason Pennycooke (Bobby) and Mark Roper (Mr. Simmons), with Keisha Atwell, Arielle Campbell, Mark Carroll, Joseph Davenport, Momar Diagne, Carly Mercedes Dyer, Kimmy Edwards, Hillary Elk, Laura Ellis, Charlotte Gorton, Benjamin Harrold, Waylon Jacobs, Rachel John, Dean Maynard, Devon McKenzie-Smith, Tim Newman, Simon Ray-Harvey, Jon Robyns, Ashley Rumble, Kyle Seeley, Helen Siveter, Dawnita Smith, and Alex Thomas.

Based on a concept by George W. George, Memphis features a book & lyrics by Joe DiPietro, and music & lyrics by Bon Jovi founding member David Bryan. The show is directed by Christopher Ashley, with set design by David Gallo, lighting by Howell Binkley, sound by Gareth Owen, choreography by Sergio Trujillo and costumes by Paul Tazewell. The producers are Junkyard Dog Productions, Marlene and Kenny Alhadeff, Barbara Freitag, Joseph Smith and John Brant.

Synopsis: 'Featuring an original score with gospel, rhythm & blues, and early rock 'n' roll fused with David Byran's own contemporary sensibility, Memphis The Musical follows the fictionalized life story of young, white radio disc jockey Huey Calhoon growing up in Memphis, Tennessee in the 1950's. An unlikely hero with a great love of the music he hears in the black bars on Beale Street, Huey's on-air antics and unstoppable enthusiasm for "race records" creates a new white audience for African-American music. His personal life transcends the race line as well, when he falls in love with a beautiful black singer - with dramatic consequences.

The musical won four 2010 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Original Score (David Bryan and Joe DiPietro), Best Book (Joe DiPietro), and Best Orchestrations (David Bryan and Daryl Waters).