*

Set to the sounds of rock 'n' roll and rhythm and blues, the new musical Memphis will make its mark on Broadway come October. And no — it's not another jukebox show, nor is it a show written by a musical theatre god like Stephen Sondheim or an up-and-comer like Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Memphis will feature an original score written by rock 'n' roll veteran but Broadway newbie David Bryan, of the band Bon Jovi. The musical, which will begin previews at the Shubert Theatre Sept. 23, marks the Broadway debut for the 47-year-old Bryan and a continuing trend for theatre. Bryan will join a rapidly growing list of mainstream recording artists (plucked from the worlds of country, rock, pop and even punk) whose roads converge on Broadway.

With the segregated 1950s South as its backdrop, Memphis tells the story of white disc jockey Huey Calhoun and his love for both rock 'n' roll and the African-American bar crooner Felicia Farrell. Filling out the creative team with Bryan are librettist/lyricist Joe DiPietro, director Christopher Ashley and choreographer Sergio Trujillo (reuniting after working on the 2005 Elvis musical All Shook Up).

Changing some of DiPietro's lyrics, Bryan did what he does best — he gave what was on the page his "rock treatment." He recorded lead and back-up vocals and composed an arrangement with percussion, bass and guitar.

DiPietro, best known for creating the Off-Broadway hit I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, says working with Bryan has been a fruitful experience. "David is a rock star, which brings its own energy. I bring a theatrical sensibility to the table and David brings rock 'n' roll."

Breathing life into DiPietro and Bryan's characters are Chad Kimball, who plays Huey, and Montego Glover, who plays Felicia. Both agree that Bryan has the instinct and talent to compose for this art form.

	Julie Taymor and U2's The Edge and Bono
	photo by Joan Marcus

"He's a rock 'n' roll artist and storyteller, and I think that audiences are used to a certain sound coming from the radio and it's [now] comfortable to see that kind of music onstage," says Kimball.

Glover refers to Bryan as a "talented whirlwind of blonde curls — a rock 'n' roll hurricane who allows you to collaborate."

And although Memphis marks the Broadway debut for the Bon Jovi co-founder, it looks like music will continue to pour from his soul to the stage. Bryan wrote the score for The Toxic Avenger, which opened Off-Broadway earlier this year. He is also collaborating with DiPietro on another musical work about songwriters. Continued...