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Overview
Synopsis
Hockadoo! Memphis is the story of Huey Calhoun (loosely based on real-life 1950s disc jockey Dewey Phillips) and his mission to bring blues and soul music to a white southern audience. In a time of segregation, Huey optimistically believes that music can transcend race, and with him on his journey is aspiring singer Felicia Farrell. The two fall in love, but must contend with social barriers, a prejudiced mother, and an overprotective brother. With a soulful score and vibrant dance numbers, Memphis is a crowd-pleasing adventure of music and love in the 1950s South.
Show Information
- Book
- Joe DiPietro
- Music
- David Bryan
- Lyrics
- Joe DiPietro , David Bryan
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 2002
- Genres
- Historical/Biographical
- Settings
- Contemporary, Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- Memphis, 1950s
- Cast Size
- large
- Orchestra Size
- Rock Combo
- Dancing
- Heavy
- Licensor
- Theatrical Rights Worldwide
- Ideal For
- College/University, Diverse Cast, High School, Large Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Star Vehicle Male, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Late Teen, Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult Characters
Context
Memphis is a musical loosely inspired by 1950s Memphis disc jockey Dewey Phillips, who transcended racial barriers through his radio program and brought “race music” to mainstream white audiences. Originally conceptualized by theatre producer George W. George, Memphis was staged at the La Jolla Playhouse in August and September 2008 before moving to the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle in January and February 2009.
Memphis began its Broadway run in 2009 at the Shubert Theatre to largely
to read the context for Memphis and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Act One
A white disc jockey welcomes his listeners to the number-one radio station, in the center of the dial, before being interrupted by a black disc jockey calling out from the top of the dial to his listeners spread only a mile away. The scene shifts to Delray Farrell’s underground club on Beale Street (“Underground”). The clubgoers dance as Delray’s sister Felicia takes to the microphone, chiding her overprotective brother and revealing her desire to be more than a club singer. At
to read the plot for Memphis and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
|
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
|
|
|
Featured |
Male |
|
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
|
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
|
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
|
Songs
Act 1
*Underground - Delray, Felicia and Company
The Music of My Soul - Huey, Felicia and Company
*Scratch My Itch - Wailin' Joe and Company
Ain't Nothin' but a Kiss - Felicia and Huey
Hello, My Name Is Huey- Huey, and Company
That's Not Possible- Huey, and Company
*Everybody Wants to Be Black on a Saturday Night - Company
Make Me Stronger - Huey, Mama, Felicia and Company
Colored Woman - Felicia
Someday - Felicia and Company
She's My Sister - Delray and Huey
*Radio - Huey and Company
Say a Prayer - Gator and Company
Act II
*Crazy Little Huey - Huey and Company
Big Love - Bobby
Love Will Stand When All Else Falls - Felicia and Company
*Stand Up - Delray, Felicia, Huey, Gator, Bobby and Company
Change Don't Come Easy - Mama, Delray, Gator and Bobby
*Scratch My Itch (Reprise) - Wailin’ Joe and Company
Tear Down the House - Huey and Company
*Love Will Stand/Ain't Nothin' but a Kiss (Reprise) - Felicia and Huey
Memphis Lives in Me - Huey and Company
*Steal Your Rock 'n' Roll - Huey, Felicia and Company
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
A type of popular dance music originating in the 1950s, characterized by a heavy beat and simple melodies.
Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Cindi Calhoun
Theatre teacher, director, writer, and seamstress