With all of the soul of Beale Street, MEMPHIS blew into the Fabulous Fox and did not disappoint! With an incredibly talented cast, who effortlessly make their audience laugh, and cry, MEMPHIS took the audience back in time to an intolerant time in history when segregation reigned, but determination and love conquered all.
Huey (Bryan Fenkart) is a white Memphis native, who was told by his father, never to interact with blacks. However Huey, famous for not doing what he is told, strolls past a small Beale Street speakeasy and hears for the first time the soulful sound of rhythm and blues. Upon entering the club, he sees the beautiful soloist Felicia (Felicia Boswell) and his heart skips a beat. The perplexed black partiers wonder why this white man is in their neighborhood, and let him know immediately. But as Huey sits down at the piano, begins to play and sing “The Music in My Soul”, they realize the young man loves rhythm and blues and welcome him.
Huey and Felicia begin their romance and as time passes, their love is tested time and time again as they tread on thin ice as young lovers in 1950’s Memphis, Tennessee. Huey becomes a well-known local DJ, and television host of an all-black teen dance show. However, certain things are not allowed in the south, and when Huey crosses that line, he is immediately fired. Felicia is discovered by a music producer in New York, and Huey is also invited to New York to possibly host a national dance show. Once there, Felicia is a success, but Huey who is unwilling to compromise his beliefs refuses to play by the rules of the producers and goes back to Memphis. Is it over for the two lovers?
Audiences loved the songs, but a few really resonated with roaring applause. Felicia’s “Love Will Stand When All Else Fails”, a testimony that love withstands the bounds of prejudice and racism; “Say a Prayer”, performed by Gator (Rhett George), and “Change Don’t Come Easy” performed by Huey’s mother Gladys, (Julie Johnson), as she transforms from the loving but prejudiced parent to seeing that love has no boundaries.
There are two morals to the story. Some people choose not to compromise what they feel to be correct and others choose to compromise in order to make life better for others.
With soul-stirring rhythm and blues, great acting, set, and storyline, I can’t think of a better way to spend an evening.
MEMPHIS will only be here until Sunday, February 5.
Visit Ticketmaster or the Fox Box Office for ticket information.
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