Hockadooooo
©2009 by LeeZard
Don’t know what “Hockadooooo” means? Go see the musical “Memphis! (Or, look below if you must)*
It’s as simple as this; LeeZard loves the theater and I absolutely LOVED Memphis.
I do not give my applause away easily, even less so do I participate in standing ovations. I found myself willingly and enthusiastically doing both last night during and following a preview performance at Seattle’s grand ol’ Fifth Avenue Theater, thanks to Wende (TWBGF).
The rest of the audience agreed, breaking into shouts and whistles after many of the rousing, often emotional song and dance numbers, topping the evening off with an instant, spontaneous standing “O.” All well deserved.
As described by Broadwayworld.com:
According to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
The African American cast members – who make up most of the ensemble – not only bring to the production their heritage of slavery, heartache and discrimination – which adds a resonating authenticity to the entire experience – they also contribute amazing pipes, fabulous dance sequences and some down-home authentic gospel. The “minority” White players aren’t far behind, especially Chad Kimball who stars as DJ Huey Calhoun.
Montego Glover shines with her emotional and lyrical range in the lead as Felicia Farrell, the forbidden object of Huey’s affection and his creative muse.
J. Bernard Calloway absolutely inhabits the character of Felicia’s domineering brother Delray. But James Monroe Iglehart nearly steals the show as Bobby, who starts as the janitor at Huey’s first radio station gig then explodes in song and dance on Huey’s TV show as “Big Daddy.” I don’t think I’ve ever seen an entire audience so quickly and spontaneously erupt in shouts and whistles after a number midway through the production. It was exhilarating.
Several reviews of the play mention that the producers hope for it to end up on Broadway but, they are still looking for an appropriate ending. The ending in the Fifth Avenue’s production was sad and, for LeeZard, one of the few disappointments. However, it is the music – and the cast’s delivery of it – that carries the day.
Despite all the amazing music, though, “Memphis” does not sugarcoat the racism and hatred of the 1950s Deep South. I think LeeZard liked that almost as much as the music.
* From a review in Variety: Kimball adds an intense hyperactivity, torso and legs in ceaseless motion as he proselytizes for the new, raw sound through naughty ad libs and a parent-infuriating playlist. Huey's thumbs-up shout-out "Hockadoo!" paves the way for integrated musical tastes and -- we're led to hope -- a society to match.
**Click on this post's title, HOCKADOOOOO, to hear David Bryan’s version of “Memphis Lives in Me.”
Don’t know what “Hockadooooo” means? Go see the musical “Memphis! (Or, look below if you must)*It’s as simple as this; LeeZard loves the theater and I absolutely LOVED Memphis.
I do not give my applause away easily, even less so do I participate in standing ovations. I found myself willingly and enthusiastically doing both last night during and following a preview performance at Seattle’s grand ol’ Fifth Avenue Theater, thanks to Wende (TWBGF).
The rest of the audience agreed, breaking into shouts and whistles after many of the rousing, often emotional song and dance numbers, topping the evening off with an instant, spontaneous standing “O.” All well deserved.
As described by Broadwayworld.com:
“ Written by Joe DiPietro, composed by David Bryan (Bon Jovi keyboardist and founding member) and directed by Christopher Ashley, Memphis is a story about the passion and roots of rock 'n' roll featuring an original gospel, rhythm & blues, and early rock score fused with a contemporary sensibility.
‘Memphis follows the fictionalized life story of a white disc jockey in the segregated south, who started playing black music on the radio. Set in the 1950's, Memphis explores interracial relationships, the power of radio and how music broke down racial barriers,’ according to the press notes.
With musical numbers like "The Birth of Rock 'n Roll", "The Music of My Soul", "Scratch My Itch", "I Don't Make the Rules", "Stand Up", "Memphis Lives in Me**" and "Steal Your Rock 'n Roll" the show also features the choreography of Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys).”
According to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
“The co-production with San Diego's La Jolla Playhouse is inspired by the life of Dewey Phillips, a Memphis DJ who challenged the times by playing music by black artists along with white ones.”
The African American cast members – who make up most of the ensemble – not only bring to the production their heritage of slavery, heartache and discrimination – which adds a resonating authenticity to the entire experience – they also contribute amazing pipes, fabulous dance sequences and some down-home authentic gospel. The “minority” White players aren’t far behind, especially Chad Kimball who stars as DJ Huey Calhoun.
Montego Glover shines with her emotional and lyrical range in the lead as Felicia Farrell, the forbidden object of Huey’s affection and his creative muse.J. Bernard Calloway absolutely inhabits the character of Felicia’s domineering brother Delray. But James Monroe Iglehart nearly steals the show as Bobby, who starts as the janitor at Huey’s first radio station gig then explodes in song and dance on Huey’s TV show as “Big Daddy.” I don’t think I’ve ever seen an entire audience so quickly and spontaneously erupt in shouts and whistles after a number midway through the production. It was exhilarating.
Several reviews of the play mention that the producers hope for it to end up on Broadway but, they are still looking for an appropriate ending. The ending in the Fifth Avenue’s production was sad and, for LeeZard, one of the few disappointments. However, it is the music – and the cast’s delivery of it – that carries the day.Despite all the amazing music, though, “Memphis” does not sugarcoat the racism and hatred of the 1950s Deep South. I think LeeZard liked that almost as much as the music.
* From a review in Variety: Kimball adds an intense hyperactivity, torso and legs in ceaseless motion as he proselytizes for the new, raw sound through naughty ad libs and a parent-infuriating playlist. Huey's thumbs-up shout-out "Hockadoo!" paves the way for integrated musical tastes and -- we're led to hope -- a society to match.
**Click on this post's title, HOCKADOOOOO, to hear David Bryan’s version of “Memphis Lives in Me.”
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