Memphis: The Musical

StageArt brings the Broadway smash hit, Memphis: The Musical, to the small stage at Chapel off Chapel and their adaptation is nothing less than first-class theatre. Immerse yourself in the bittersweet love story of an unlikely hero, Huey Calhoun (James Elmer), and the vivacious Felicia Farrell (Elandrah Eramiha-Feo) set in the 1950s, a time when the United States was beset by racial segregation and abuse. The musical charts Huey Calhoun’s life: his rise from obscurity, becoming one of the first radio DJs to air rhythm and blues music on a mainstream (white) station, and his devotion to his Felicia. 

Memphis opens with Felicia singing at her brother’s club, harmonising with her back-up vocalists while yearning for a big break on the airwaves. One night, Huey enters the club and is immediately taken with the beautiful Felicia. He promises to make her a star, much to her brother Delray’s displeasure. In the meantime, Huey tries to get rock ’n’ roll music on the air and hijacks Mr Collins’ radio station, playing a track of music by black artists. Mr Collins, after lambasting Huey for his catastrophic move, is surprised when the phones ring off the hook with people wanting more. Sensing a prosperous future ahead, Mr Collins hires Huey who goes on to change the music scene forever. 

The stage is fitted with newspaper clippings of the time, emphasising the deep undercurrents of tension and violence in the popular consciousness, serving as a reminder to the audience of how progressive Calhoun’s views were for his time and how unacceptable interracial romances were considered. Witnessing the audience grimace when hearing words such as ‘nigger’ spat out with vitriol and hate, or seeing a father slap his daughter in the face, is evidence of just how far society has come. 

Based on actual events, the intimate venue amplifies some of the show’s horrifying moments, including the violent Act One cliffhanger. Despite the small stage mostly working in the production’s favour, at times it hinders with some of the ensemble cast literally running into each other in several group scenes. 

Elmer and Eramiha-Feo’s chemistry was contagious, performing all facets of their characters’ complex relationship to the hilt. Eramiha-Feo portrayed Felicia’s sassy and independent traits perfectly while Elmer emulated the dreamer with a heart of gold. The songs ‘Someday’, ‘Ain’t Nothin’ But a Kiss’ and ‘Everybody Wants to Be Black on Saturday Night’ were a joy to hear and will stay with you for days.

Memphis: The Musical is an uplifting and upbeat story of race defying society, love defeating all odds and the birth of a musical generation. You’ll find yourself saying Hockadoo! long after the curtains close.

Memphis: The Musical
Chapel off Chapel, 12 Little Chapel Street, Prahran
Till Saturday, 28 October 2017
chapeloffchapel.com.au