Felicia Boswell and Bryan Fenkart in "Memphis"; photo courtesy of Paul Kolnik Studio

“Memphis” (The Fox Theater) 

When I went to see “Memphis” at the Fox Theater in Atlanta I was not particularly excited. I hadn’t heard much about the play. I didn’t know if the “stars” would be any good. I didn’t know any of the songs from the score. What did keep going through my mind was the fact this show won the Tony for Best Musical in 2010, and when a show wins the Tony it has to have something special going for it, and having now seen the show let me tell you this one definitely does.

The plot concerns a love story set against the background of 1950’s Memphis. It is an interracial love in a time when such a relationship was not tolerated. Huey Calhoun (Bryan Fenkart) is a rising DJ in the city and he is gaining fame by playing black music. He is inspired by the music in one of the black clubs on Beale Street owned by Delray (Quentin Earl Darrington). It is there that he meets Delray’s sister Felicia (Felicia Boswell). She later becomes the love of his life.

It is to Joe DiPietro’s credit that the book of this musical is as dramatic as it is. Of course his lyrics combined with David Bryan’s music and lyrics help move the plot along and make the show special in every sense of the word.

The talent on stage in this production is amazing. Fenkart is the heart of the show and he is full of music and comedy. He portrays Huey as the eternal loser who gets lucky through his ability to gauge the music scene. Fenkart is at his best musically when singing duets with Boswell. Boswell is staggeringly good whether singing solos or duets, and her acting abilities are terrific.

It is worth the price of admission just to come and hear Julie Johnson sing “Change Don’t Come Easy”. Johnson plays Huey’s Mama and this song is the anthem of “Memphis.” Johnson is joined by Darrington, Rhett George and Will Mann and they all give the song their all.

The choreography by Sergio Trujillo is sharp and fresh and every dancer is a true performer. Christopher Ashley’s direction keeps things moving briskly and it seems the show is over before it has barely begun. It is that interesting and enjoyable.

So make sure you get your tickets for this run of “Memphis” in Atlanta at the Fox Theater. It plays through February 5. It is so good I may just have to go back.