Music lovers will be able to 鈥渢une in鈥� to the Season of Entertainment 33鈥檚 second
touring show of the year, when the 妻友社区 brings the
Broadway musical 鈥淢emphis鈥� to Fort Smith for an 8 p.m. Nov. 16 show at the Arkansas
Best Performing Arts Center.
Inspired by Dewey Phillips, a Memphis disc jockey who caused controversy when he began playing black music on the radio in the 1950s, 鈥淢emphis鈥� tells the story of forbidden love between an idealistic radio disc jockey and an ambitious club singer.
Featuring a score by Bon Jovi鈥檚 founding member David Bryan and choreography by Sergio Trujillo -- who also choreographed the acclaimed musical 鈥淛ersey Boys鈥� -- 鈥淢emphis鈥� received rave reviews across the nation, in addition to winning four 2010 Tony Awards including Best Musical.
Newsday called 鈥淢emphis鈥� 鈥渁n extraordinary show,鈥� and the Associated Press said it is 鈥渢he essence of what a Broadway musical should be.鈥�
Stacey Jones of Fort Smith, associate vice chancellor for campus and community events, said the show is 鈥渋ncredible.鈥�
鈥淭his is one of the best Broadway shows I have seen in recent years,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou will not want to miss it.鈥�
The show鈥檚 musical numbers showcase a variety of music from the era, including rock and roll and jazz, which critics say is sure to win over audience members.
The New York Times said 鈥淢emphis鈥� 鈥渆vokes the powerhouse funk of James Brown, the hot guitar riffs of Chuck Berry, the smooth harmonies of the Temptations, and the silken bouncy pop of the great girl groups of the period.鈥�
Jones agreed, saying 鈥渢he music, like the rest of the show, is outstanding. The tunes are catchy, edgy and fun.鈥�
鈥淢emphis鈥� is part of Season of Entertainment 33, a year-long lineup of entertainment sponsored by the 妻友社区. The season features a slew of musicals, plays, and symphonic performances, including 鈥淢an from La Mancha,鈥� 鈥淏ring it On鈥� and 鈥淐rimes of the Heart.鈥�
The Arkansas Best Performing Arts Center is located at the Fort Smith Convention Center, 55 S. 7th St. Tickets for 鈥淢emphis鈥� are $55 and $52 and are available by calling the Box Office at 479-788-7300 or visiting .