Like Us
Follow Us
Coming soon: "Memphis"
The question of when rock and roll really began has been argued about for decades.
Bill Haley and the Comets get some of the credit, but most music historians believe the music that became rock and roll began on Beale Street in Memphis and spread out to the rest of the world.
The story of Beale Street is coming to Milwaukee with the Jan. 8-13 run of the award-winning "Memphis" at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts.
The Milwaukee Rep has just finished a very successful run of "Blues in the Night," a searing story of the evolution and meaning of the blues.
"Memphis" carries the theme a bit further.
The story the writers tell is not unique. A white boy in a black club falls for a black singer and their trials, tribulations and triumphs follow, set against a backdrop of soul-stirring music.
The story, though, is not the critical element of "Memphis." It's the music and the dancing that has set feet tapping and hearts thumping since the play opened on Broadway in 2009. The play won the Tony in 2010 for Best Musical, and it's still a tough ticket in New York.
The show features a brand-new Tony-winning score with music by Bon Jovi's founding member and keyboardist David Bryan with lyrics by Bryan and Joe DiPietro ("I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change"), who also wrote the musical's book.
One of the best and most accurate reviews of "Memphis" came from the distinguished Elizabeth Cincentelli in the New York Post.
She wrote: "Memphis is a zippy, exuberant musical – one that relies exclusively on steadfastly 'classic' values: catchy songs, heaping spoonfuls of inspirational moments and tear-jerking schmaltz, and committed performers at the top of their game."
Performances are Tuesday-Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 1 and 6:30 p.m. Ticket prices start at $30 (subject to change) and can be purchased in person at the box office at 929 N. Water St., by phone at (414) 273-7206 or online.
This limited engagement is presented by the Marcus Center as part of the Broadway at the Marcus Center and Broadway Across America-Milwaukee series.
Talkbacks
 |
No Talkbacks for this article. Post your comment/review now |
Facebook comments
Disclaimer: Please note that Facebook comments are posted through Facebook and cannot be approved, edited or declined by OnMilwaukee.com. The opinions expressed in Facebook comments do not necessarily reflect those of OnMilwaukee.com or its staff.
Recent Articles & Blogs by Dave Begel
Woods lacks the right stuff to be a hero
Published June 18, 2013
If it wasn't for television I might still think that Tiger Woods is a hero. Instead, after watching yet another in a long line of protected, robotic, distant, unresponsive, unfriendly displays, I have come to the conclusion, at long last, that this guy is about the furthest thing you can get from being a hero.
Legislators look out for themselves
Published June 13, 2013
Here our leaders were with opportunity knocking and they end up lining their own pockets with more cash and wimp out on a slim chance to move Wisconsin into a leading technology position.
How would we react if Braun were suspended?
Published June 11, 2013
I'm a guy who always tries to be ready for bad news. I'm not a pessimist, but I've been around long enough to know that bad things happen to good people. So lets try to prepare for the inevitable with Ryan Braun. We can't control everything but we can lay plans for how we will react.
Guitar man
Published June 6, 2013
My dream is that I am sitting on a stage, guitar in hand, people in the audience, and for an hour or two I semi-dazzle them with song. Nobody else on stage, just me and my guitar. I've been onstage many times in my life. Plays and a band. But all alone? Never. It has never been just me. That's my dream, and I'm going to make it happen the night before my 70th birthday - Jan. 11, 2014.
Time to trade Ryan Braun?
Published June 4, 2013
The failures of the last year and a half and lack of talent coming up from the minor leagues may indicate it's time for the Milwaukee Brewers to trade Ryan Braun.
A cautionary tale
Published May 30, 2013
Think of this as Dear Abby for a generation where it actually applies not just to a broken heart that wrote in for advice. I am not really an advice-giver but I've been so moved recently that I can't help offering my reaction to the last couple of months as a word of caution: take care of yourself.
A fine nine: A dream soccer team
Published May 28, 2013
Watching European soccer got me thinking - what if some of America's great athletes (and one very special actor) played soccer? It would be an amazing team. So amazing, I'd only need nine guys to win.
Roenicke's future with Brewers may be determined soon
Published May 21, 2013
When a team is as bad as the Milwaukee Brewers have been, you kind of just hold your breath, waiting for somebody with authority to lose patience with the whole thing and start chopping. And, as we all know, the normal first head on the chopping block belongs to the manager.
The weapons of war
Published May 16, 2013
For decades Milwaukee has been a whipping boy for all those state legislators who aren't from Milwaukee. We need to find a way to fight back, something that will scare the crap out of some Republican from Bonduel or Abbotsford or even Mequon. Here are Dave Begel's weapons of war...
What I miss the most
Published May 15, 2013
I have been kind of out of commission for more than 40 days with a health difficulty and it's been a real long haul. I think I'm in the final couple of weeks before I get to go home, but lately I've been thinking a lot about what things I miss the most.
