WABASH – I’ve never been to Memphis, Tenn., but after watching the Broadway musical “Memphis” at the Honeywell Center Thursday night, I am tempted to go. The show is so exciting, no wonder it won a Tony Award for Best Musical. It very well could be one of the best musicals I’ve seen. The first scene is set in 1951 in a black club in Memphis. The patrons are having a good time when a white guy, Huey Calhoun (Joey Elrose), comes in having heard the powerful singing voice of Felicia (Jasmin Richardson). Everyone stops what they’re doing and looks at him. Huey is by no means an exceptional man. He can’t read or write, and he didn’t get past the ninth grade, but he loves “race” music. Usually when a white guy comes in, Felicia tells him, it’s because he’s a cop and wants a bribe. Huey says he’s not, he just loves her voice. Patrons start filing out, and Felicia tells him that if he wants to stay, he better get the other patrons to stay. He does this with a rendition of the song “The Music of my Soul.” The club is owned by Felicia’s brother, Delray (RaMond Thomas), who doesn’t like Huey from the get-go. He is, however, working to get his sister a record deal. From the moment Huey lays eyes on the beautiful Felicia, he falls for her. She denies any romantic feelings for Huey at first, but the chemistry is there. Being 1951, an interracial couple is not only looked down upon, it’s also illegal in Tennessee. Everyone sees the problems their love can cause except Huey. He thinks people will accept them. Strangers aren’t the only ones who Huey and Felicia have to be weary of in the racist south. Huey’s mother (Pat Sibley) doesn’t like it one bit. And wherever Huey lands a job at, his bosses don’t like blacks – unless it can make them some money without too much controversy. Huey’s first job is at a department store. He convinces the store manager to let him play some music to help sell records. Of course, Huey chucks Perry Como for a record with more rhythm and blues – the song “Scratch My Itch” by Wailin’ Joe and Company – and it makes the manager so mad he wants to fire Huey. Huey tells him how many records he’s sold, but he still loses his job anyway because black music isn’t acceptable. Huey is inspired to keep playing his favorite music, so he goes and lands a job at the first local radio station that will give him a chance. The young white kids respond to Huey’s musical choices as well as the black community. As Huey’s success grows, so does his belief that he and Felicia can get married without a problem. Her chances of becoming a recording artist also are growing, but she wants to move to New York where her love for Huey can be public. She’s fearful of what could happen in Memphis. And at the end of Act I, Felicia’s fears come to fruition. As the story rolls on, the actors in the national tour of “Memphis” sing so amazingly, you can’t help but be pulled into the story. You root for the underdog, Huey, and you hope love overcomes hate. One of the best songs in the show is “Love Will Stand When All Else Fails” and it leads you to believe that it’s possible. Some of the other songs in the musical which I responded to favorably included “Everybody Wants to be Black on a Saturday Night,” “Say a Prayer,” “Big Love,” “Change Don’t Come Easy,” “Memphis Lives in Me” and “Steal Your Rock ‘n’ Roll.” I would definitely go see this show again. And again. At times, it can be hilarious. It also has some powerful moments that could jerk a tear or two out of you. If you ever get a chance to see “Memphis,” I can’t recommend it highly enough. For more information about the Honeywell Center and its upcoming shows, visit its website at www.honeywellcenter.com
