Memphis

Christopher Sutton & Ensemble

Walnut Street Theatre, located at 825 Walnut Street, is presenting the Tony Award-Winning Musical Memphis on its mainstage through July 12.  Everything about this production screams success! Christopher Sutton is the recipient of multiple awards for acting and is on track for receiving another for his portrayal of Huey Calhoun, a young white boy who falls in love with the rhythm and blues music “from the dark side of town” in Memphis. He has a dream to bring the sound to middle of the radio dial so that everyone can share his experience. He is a whirling dervish as he sings dances and prances across the stage to “the music in your soul.” Kimber Sprawl, portraying Huey’s “discovery”, Felicia, belts out song after song that resounds throughout every corner of the theatre. There is purity to her voice that rings with pain, then hope and promise. The exuberant ensemble members are simply delightful to watch. Animated, spirited and lively, they have the audience tapping their feet and clapping their hands in their seats as individually and together they bop through their dance routines .Special attention must be paid to the electrifying and adrenaline-charged performance of Mary Martello portraying Mama as she raises the roof with her rendition of “Change Don’t Come Easy.” I saw this show on Broadway. You won’t find a better performance than the one that is playing at Walnut Street Theatre right now.  For more information or tickets, call 215-574-3550 or 800-982-2787.  Tickets are also available online by visiting WalnutStreetTheatre.org or Ticketmaster.