Memphis: The Musical

For those who go retching to the bathroom at the very mention of the "M" word, it prol'ly goes without saying I don't how you got this far.

I'd stopped paying attention to any new stuff coming from Broadway long ago, the rut they were in being so bad. But I didn't realize how out of touch I'd become until they apparently payed for a one time of it showing in 4 Phoenix area theaters recently--the notice of which I saw in only one website ad. Turns out it's a high quality HD recording of the Broadway stage production released in 2011, intermission and all. It was like being there in seats right up on the stage.

The story is centered on a white DJ-to-be in the early '50s who gets black blues cum rock and roll on local Memphis radio. Overall not that original but like all plots, the prize is in the details you hang on the framework, which sparkle here. The DJ's accent is probably somewhat off-putting to those of us from the South, but I realized it's an adaptation of Southern Baptist pulpit, used I think to set off the individuality of the character (who is decidedly non-religious) from other whites around him with their regular southr'en fried accents. It's not so much an interracial love story as it is an interracial love of music story.

The Show was a Broadway hit in 2010, winning 5 Tonys including best musical and best original score, and with nominations for the two leads. Who knew. For me it was the best Broadway style musical to come out in 20 years.