Calloway, Kimball, Glover, et al. Set for Memphis at La Jolla

Full cast and creative team information has been announced for La Jolla Playhouse’s production of Memphis – The Birth of Rock ‘n’ Roll, featuring book and lyrics by Joe DiPietro and music by David Bryan. The production — to be presented August 19-September 28, with an official opening on September 3 — will be helmed by Christoper Ashley, La Jolla’s artistic director.

The tuner tells a rousing tale about one of the first white disc jockeys who dared to play rhythm & blues music for his white teenage listeners in the early 1950s. The show will move to Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre in January 2009.

The principal cast will include Chad Kimball (Huey), Montego Glover (Felicia), J. Bernard Calloway (Delray), Allen Fitzpatrick (Mr. Simmons), Cass Morgan (Mrs. Calhoun), James Monroe Iglehart (Bobby), and Michael Benjamin Washington (Gator). The ensemble will include Brad Bass, Tracee Beazer, Josh Breckenridge, Lorene Chesley, Kevin Covert, Dionne D. Figgins, Steve Gunderson, Lauren Lim Jackson, Cashae Monya, Jill Morrison, Irungu Mutu, John Eric Parker, Jermaine Remberdt, Pearl Rhein, Melanie Vaughan, Daniel Watts, Charlie Williams, and Megan Yelaney.

The creative team will include David Gallo (set), Paul Tazewell (costumes), Sergio Trujillo (choreography), Howell Binkley (lighting), Ken Travis (sound), Christopher Jahnke (musical supervision), and Darryl Waters (orchestrations).

For more information, visit www.lajollaplayhouse.org.