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Memphis

Book & Lyrics by Joe DiPietro Music & Lyrics by David Bryan

April 28th -30th @ 7:30pm & April 30th @ 2pm



It’s time to head to Beale Street where the rhythm is hot and the music is real! Step inside Delray’s underground music club in 1950’s Memphis and meet the people who helped bring rhythm and blues to the center of the radio dial! Sam Houston State University’s Department of Theatre and Musical Theatre brings the Tony Award- winning musical, Memphis center stage in the Erica Starr Theatre April 28-30 with 7:30 p.m. showings each evening as well as a 2 p.m. Saturday matinee option.

Inspired by actual events, Memphis is about an eccentric radio DJ (Huey Calhoun) who wants to bring the “music of his soul” to a larger audience and a Beale Street blues singer (Felicia Farrell) who is ready for her big break in the recording industry. Book writer Joe DiPietro and composer David Bryan capture the energy and tone of this pivotal moment in American music history with musical quotes from a wide genre of American music including the blues, Motown, gospel, R&B, and rock-n-roll. Memphis’ central characters fight against the rigid brutality of segregation and discover the subversive power of music to break through barriers, invite conversation and redirect the social narrative.

Memphis is full of energized dancing, choreographed by Kyle Craig-Bogard; has a dynamic score with powerful vocals, music directed by Laura Avery and Stephonne Smith; and contains gutsy story-telling led by a team of directors: Laura Avery, Kyle Craig-Bogard and Stephonne Smith. Director/Music Director, Laura Avery says, “Memphis is bursting with vocal pyrotechnics, satisfying humor, and exhilarating moments of powerful story-telling. These elements are the essence of a great Broadway show but we wanted to pull from deeper within the story and attempt to represent the true tone and nature of 1950’s America and the danger of personal ambition in a world unable to accept equality.”

Tickets are $12 if purchased in advance, $15 at the door. SHSU faculty and staff can get one free ticket when booking online at www.shsutickets.com. SHSU students can obtain one free ticket the week of the show at www.shsutickets.com. For ticket information, please email the box office at tickets@shsu.edu or call us at 936-294-2339. Visit www.shsutickets.com to purchase your tickets online.
The Erica Starr Theatre is located in the University Theatre Center at 1740 Bobby K. Marks Drive and 17th street between the Newton Gresham Library and the James and Nancy Gaertner Performing Arts Center.


Meet the Cast & Creatives

Colton Daniel

Huey

Colton is a junior musical theatre major from Cedar Park, Texas. His SHSU credits include Assistant Music Director for Hands on a Hardbody, and a member of the ensemble in Violet and Heathers. At other institutions he has appeared as Sir Galahad in Spamalot and Judge Littlefield in The Last Days of Judas Iscariot. Upon graduation, Colton plans to pursue a career in musical theatre.

Jackera Davis

Felicia

Jackera is a senior musical theatre major from Rosenberg, Texas. SHSU audiences may remember her as Ti Moune in Once on this Island and as an ensemble member in Assassins, Heathers: The Musical and Violet. At other institutions, she has appeared as Susan Walker in Miracle on 34th Street. Upon graduation, Jackera plans to pursue a career in acting.

Brandon Lozano

Delay

Brandon is a senior musical theatre major from Round Rock, Texas. SHSU audiences may remember him as Ronald in Hands on a Hardbody, Agwe in Once on this Island and an ensemble member in Let Me Down Easy. At other institutions, he has appeared as King Triton in The Little Mermaid, Gomez Addams in The Addams Family, and as Banquo in Macbeth.  Upon graduation, Brandon plans to pursue a career in acting, directing, and casting.

Danny Moore

Bobby/Tonto Julian

Danny is a senior musical theatre major from Round Rock, Texas. SHSU audiences may remember him as Tonton Julian in Once on this Island, Flick in Violet. Upon graduation, Danny plans to pursue a career in musical theatre.

Joshua Hadnot

Gator

Joshua is a junior musical theatre major from Humble, Texas SHSU audiences may remember him as a storyteller in Once on this Island, Steve the Math Tudor/The Great Mage Steve in She Kills Monsters: Virtual Realms and as Chris in Sweat.  Upon graduation, Joshua plans to pursue a career in acting.

Lizzy Cooper

Mama

Lizzy is a sophomore musical theatre major from Spring, Texas. SHSU audiences may remember her as one of the Pit Singers in Hands on a Hardbody, and as Archbishop/Scrivener/Cardinal/Priest in Richard III.  At other institutions, she has appeared as Sarah in Children of a Lesser God, Sandra in Big Fish, and as The Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods. Upon graduation Lizzy plans to pursue a career in

musical theatre and directing.

Gabriel Mullen

Mr. Simmons

Gabriel is a junior theatre major from Bellingham, Washington. He attended TJC as a computer science major before changing to Theatre. He studied for a year at TJC working as a foreman in the shop while still participating in shows as an actor and as a techie. SHSU audiences may remember him as Hopkins in Jump. At other institutions he has appeared as Henry in The Fantasticks and as Garcin in No Exit. After graduation Gabriel plans to attend graduate school to obtain a masters degree and pursue a career as an actor/director/playwright.

Ainsley Hylton

Wailin’ Joe

Ainsley is a junior musical theatre major from Missouri City, Texas. SHSU audiences may remember him as Daniel in Once on this Island and as Jacob in Creature. At other institutions, he has appeared as Kevin Rosario in In the Heights, Professor Callahan in Legally Blonde: The Musical, and as Henry in Newsies. Upon graduation, Ainsley plans to pursue a career in acting and directing.

Tomas Balk

Ensemble

Warrem Barnes Jr.

Ensemble

Maddie Brimmer

Ensemble

Maddie is a senior musical theatre major from Austin, Texas. SHSU audiences may remember her as Virginia in Hands on a Hardbody, and as a member of the ensemble in Loves Labors Lost. At other institutions, she has appeared as Mildred in Fahrenheit 451. Upon graduation, Maddie plans to pursue a career in musical theatre.

Armani Brown

Ensemble

Armani is a junior musical theatre major from Houston, Texas. SHSU audiences may remember him as Dr. Stokes/Pit Singer in Hands on a Hardbody and as a storyteller in Once on this Island. At other institutions, he has appeared as Frank/Headband Boy in A Chorus Line, a Wickersham Brother in Seussical The Musical, and was an ensemble member in Ragtime and Oklahoma!. Upon graduation, Armani plans to pursue a career in acting.

Mya Bryant

Ensemble

Mya is a junior musical theatre major from Missouri City, Texas. SHSU audiences may remember her as Erzulie in Once on this Island, Vicky in Bright Half Life and as a member of the ensemble in Heathers: The Musical. Upon graduation, Mya plans to pursue a career in musical theatre.

Jake Cummings

Ensemble

Jake is a sophomore musical theatre major from Pearland, Texas. His SHSU credits include Swing in Hands on a Hardbody and ensemble in Santa Claus Sits Down and The Six Shooter. At other institutions, he has appeared as Cornelius Hackl in Hello, Dolly!, Mark in RENT, and Charlie Brown in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Upon graduation, Jake plans to pursue a career in acting and music direction.

Mac Hardy

Ensemble

Mac is a senior musical theatre major from Spring, Texas. SHSU audiences may remember her as the Nurse in Creature, Janis in Hands on a Hardbody, Murderer 2/Lord Mayor/Vaughn/Citizen in Richard III, and as an ensemble member in Sonnets for an Old Century and Heathers. In addition, while at SHSU Mac was the assistant stage manager for Silence, and the light board operator for The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time. At other institutions, she has appeared as JoJo in Seussical The Musical, Miss Skillon in See How They Run, and as Nan/Sally in Quilters. Upon graduation, Mac plans to pursue a career in musical theatre.

Dinah Ndu

Ensemble

Dinah is a senior musical theatre major from Missouri City, Texas. SHSU audiences may remember her as the director of Jump, Juliana in Creature, Queen Margaret in Richard III, Farrah/Evil Gabbi/Gabbi She Kills Monsters: Virtual Realms, Miss de Bourgh in Pride & Prejudice.  At other institutions, she has appeared as King Arthur in Spamalot, Chick Boyle in Crimes of the Heart and as Clara Brown/Detective Biederman in Ghost: The Musical.  Upon graduation, Dinah plans to pursue a career in musical theatre and directing.

Mickey Pellum

Ensemble

Makayla is a junior theatre major from Spring, Texas. SHSU audiences may remember her as Bunny(Understudy) in Detroit 67’, Powell in Men on Boats, one of the Storytellers in Once on This Island, and as Lilith Morningstar/Lilly in She Kills Monsters: Virtual Realms. At other Institutions, she has appeared as Vanessa in In the Heights and as Lady Larkin in Once Upon a Mattress. Upon graduation, Mickey plans to pursue a career in acting.

Bryce Ray

Ensemble

Bryce is a senior musical theatre major from Georgetown, Texas. SHSU audience may remember him as JD in Hands on a Hardbody, Young Prince Edward/Messenger 2 in Richard III.  At other institutions, he has appeared as Arpad in She Loves Me, and as an ensemble member in The Little Mermaid and Annie Get Your Gun. Upon graduation, Bryce plans to pursue a career in acting.

Drew Ritch

Ensemble

Drew is a junior musical theatre major from Cypress, Texas. SHSU audiences may remember him as Mike in Hands on a Hardbody, Rivers in Richard III, Virgil/Billy Dean/Ensemble in Violet, and as Boy/Peter in Dust.  At other institutions, he has appeared as Lord Farquaad in Shrek, and as Ren McCormack in Footloose. Upon graduation, Drew plans to pursue a career in musical theatre.

Riley Aileen

Ensemble

Riley is a senior musical theatre major from Austin, Texas. SHSU audiences may remember her as Kelli in Hands on a Hardbody, Kari in The Pavilion and as an ensemble member in Assassins.  At other institutions, she has appeared as Roxie Hart in Chicago, Hope Cladwell in Urinetown and as Mrs. Banks in Mary Poppins. Upon graduation, Riley plans to pursue a career in musical theatre.

Shelby Tuffnell

Ensemble

Shelby is a sophomore musical theatre major from Flower Mound, Texas. This is her debut to the SHSU stage. Upon graduation, Shelby plans to pursue a career in performance and choreography.

Michea Walls

Ensemble

Michea is a junior musical theatre major from Missouri City, Texas. This is her debut to the SHSU stage. At other institutions, she has been a member of the ensemble in Zombie Prom. Upon graduation, Michea plans to pursue a career in acting and musical theatre.

Elizabeth Wolf

Ensemble

Elizabeth is a sophomore musical theatre major from Austin, Texas. This is her debut to the SHSU stage. At other institutions, she has appeared as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, Velma Kelly in Chicago, and Grace Clements in Working. Upon graduation, Elizabeth plans to pursue a career in voice acting for Anime and video games.

Gabi Alvarado

Stage Manager

Gabi is a senior theatre major from Kingwood, Texas. Her SHSU credits include stage manager for Men on Boats, Constellations, costume crew for Assassins, Assistant Stage Manager for Dying City and Heathers. At other institutions, she has appeared as Mack/Ensemble in Peter and the Starcatcher and as an understudy for The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time. Upon graduation, Gabi plans to pursue a career in acting, and stage management.

Germán Garay

Assistant Stage Manager

Germán is a junior theatre major from Katy, Texas. His SHSU credits include, run crew for Hands on a Hardbody. At other institutions, he has been the assistant stage manager for Romeo and Juliet, Stiva in Anna Karenina, Mr. Woods in Legally Blonde: The Musical, Sailor in The Tempest, an ensemble member in In the Heights, and Sebastian in The Little Mermaid. Upon graduation, Germán plans to pursue a career in education as well as a Masters degree in directing.

Bailey Martino

Assistant Stage Manager

Bailey is a junior theatre major from Houston, Texas. Her SHSU credits include stage manager for Jump, assistant stage manager for She Kills Monsters: Virtual Realms and Once on this Island. Upon graduation, Bailey plans to pursue a career in stage management.

Veda Salinas

Assistant Stage Manager

Veda is a freshman musical theatre major from Katy, Texas. This is her first show to participate in at SHSU. At other institutions, she has appeared as a bride in Blood Wedding, Lorrell in Dreamgirls, and an ensemble member/Understudy Velma Kelly in Chicago. Upon graduation, Veda plans to pursue a career in musical theatre.

Larie Rodriguez

Assistant Stage Manager

Larie is a freshman musical theatre major from Round Rock, Texas. Her SHSU credits include costume crew for A Doctor in Spite of Himself. At other institutions, she has appeared as Sophie in Mamma Mia, Mina in Dracula, and Antonia in Paganini. Upon graduation, Larie plans to pursue a career in musical theatre.