FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 4, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL Contact: Megan Byrne, Executive Director 727-866-2059 [email protected] St. Petersburg City Theatre extends MEMPHIS, THE MUSICAL City Theatre’s smash hit will now run through February 14, 2016
St. Petersburg, FL – UPDATE: Due to popular demand, St. Petersburg City Theatre will extend the run of MEMPHIS through February 14th. The production is directed by Erica Sutherlin, with choreography by Rodney Hamilton and Music Direction by Latoya McCormick, and features a cast of 30, plus a live 7-piece band that performs onstage as part of the action. This is a first for St. Petersburg City Theatre, which is the oldest, continually operating community theatre in the state of Florida, providing live theatre to the community since 1925.
The ensemble cast has performed to sell-out crowds for two weekends (with the upcoming weekend, Feb 5-7 already sold out as well).
“MEMPHIS was... spectacular! This is a production not to be missed. The singing, the dancing (!), the acting - all were superb. But perhaps even more significantly, the message was something vitally important to be heard in these troubled times. The play-within-the-play was the interaction and interconnection of the racially diverse cast. Their love and respect of each other jumped across the footlights. Racial justice not just talked about - lived. Amazing,” said Jon Arterton, conductor of One City Chorus. ADDED DATES: Saturday, February 13 at 8pm Sunday, February 14 at 2pm
Tickets are on sale now. Seating is open seating. Lobby will open 1 hour prior to the show, with doors to the audience chamber opening 30 minutes prior to the show.
Tickets are $24 for adults; $10 for students with student I.D. Full price tickets ($24) may be purchased by phone or in person at our Box Office, or online at www.spcitytheatre.org. Group discounts are available for groups of 10 or more. Please call the Box Office in inquire about group discounts or student tickets at 727-866-1973.
Box Office number: 727-866-1973 Box Office hours are Monday through Friday, 10am-4pm.
NEW EVENT ADDED: Valentine’s reception/Closing party with the cast Join the cast and crew for a special Valentine’s reception and meet & greet following the final performance on Sunday, February 14, 2016. Enjoy a champagne toast, plus valentine-themed desserts and coffee in the lobby, and get a chance to meet the cast and crew after they take their final bow.
February 14, 2016 at 4:30pm | $12 for General Public | $10 for Season ticket holders
- MORE -
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 4, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL Contact: Megan Byrne, Executive Director 727-866-2059 [email protected]
ABOUT MEMPHIS: The story is set in the 1950s underground nightclubs of Memphis, Tennessee, where the first sounds of rock ‘n’ roll, blues, and gospel were born. Inspired by actual events, MEMPHIS follows the story of Huey Calhoun (loosely based on Dewey Phillips, a pioneer in rock ‘n’ roll radio, and one of the first DJs to play black music on white radio) as he falls in love with a beautiful singer and battles cultural divides as he tries to bring her voice to the airwaves of America. The original Broadway production won four 2010 Tony Awards, including Best Original Score and Best Musical. MEMPHIS played pre-Broadway at the La Jolla Playhouse and Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre and features a Tony-winning book by Joe DiPietro (I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change) and Tony-winning music by Bon Jovi’s David Bryan.
Erica Sutherlin is directing City Theatre’s production of MEMPHIS. This will be her third show directing for City Theatre. She previously directed To Kill a Mockingbird and Ordinary People at City Theatre. Ms. Sutherlin is the Managing Artistic Director of the newly opened The Space at 2106 in Tampa and is well-known to audiences on both sides of the bay, as an actress, director, filmmaker, poet, and arts educator. Recent directing credits include For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf, Ain’t Misbehavin, Clybourne Park, Polaroid Story, A Streetcar Named Desire, The Wiz, The Women, and The Colored Museum.
Rodney Hamilton is choreographing and assistant directing City Theatre’s production of MEMPHIS. A native of St. Louis, Missouri, he began his dance training at the age of 10 with Carr Lane VPA, COCA, Alexandra School of Ballet and the Catherine Dunham workshop. In 1996 at the age of 14 Mr. Hamilton joined the adult dance chorus at the Muny of St. Louis. He graduated from Julliard School and joined Ballet Hispanico of New York where he was a principal dancer for 10 years. Mr. Hamilton also appeared in the national tour of Hello, Dolly! with Carol Channing. For City Theatre, Mr. Hamilton has choreographed Hello, Dolly!, Dracula, the Vampire Strikes Back, and directed and choreographed last season’s smash hit Footloose!
Latoya McCormick is musical director for City Theatre’s production of MEMPHIS. Ms. McCormick has appeared onstage and/or worked as musical director for productions throughout Tampa Bay. Recent credits include Eight O’Clock Theatre’s The Addams Family and A Grand Night for Singing; Stageworks’ Ain’t Misbehavin; City Theatre’s Footloose and 9 to 5.
WHAT: St. Petersburg City Theatre presents MEMPHIS by Joe DiPietro & David Bryan. WHERE: St. Petersburg City Theatre 4025 31st Street South St. Petersburg, FL 33712 WHEN: January 22 – February 14, 2016 Friday, February 5th at 8pm – SOLD OUT Saturday, February 6th at 8pm – SOLD OUT Sunday, February 7th at 2pm – SOLD OUT Saturday, February 13th at 8p – $24 adults / $10 students Sunday, February 14th at 2pm - $24 adults / $10 students Sunday, February 14th at 4:30pm - special Valentine’s reception / closing party- $12 General Public / $10 Season ticket holders
- MORE -
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 4, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL Contact: Megan Byrne, Executive Director 727-866-2059 [email protected]
TICKET PURHCASES: Box Office: (727) 866-1973 Online: www.spcitytheatre.org Walk-up: 4025 31st Street South, St. Petersburg, FL 33712 Group Ticket Pricing is also available. DIRECT LINK to publicity & production photos: http://www.spcitytheatre.org/about/media-resources/ *Photo credit is Jessica Burchfield.
For information on press passes, please call Megan Byrne 727-866-1973 or 727-238-9826
ABOUT ST. PETERSBURG CITY THEATRE
St. Petersburg City Theatre is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, located at 4025 31st Street South. Celebrating its 91st season of live community theatre excellence, City Theatre is committed to keeping theatre and theatre arts education alive and in the community. In addition to mainstage productions, City Theatre offers arts education year-round through The Academy at City Theatre for ages 7 – 17. City Theatre’s Mainstage Season Sponsor is Raymond James Financial. For information on all of our upcoming events and classes, please visit www.spcitytheatre.org
Services and Facilities City Theatre provides free parking on-site and is conveniently located to I-275 and Highway 19. Physical Accessibility: The theatre features accessible parking, entrances, restrooms, and seating. Listening Accessibility: Theatre patrons may enjoy the free infared listening system from any seat.