The show is loosely based on the story of Memphis disc jockey Dewey Phillips,[1] one of the first white DJs to play black music in the 1950s.

Meanwhile, Delray has saved enough money to put Felicia's voice on the record, and she travels to Huey's house to tell him this.

The feed is cut, and Huey is fired on the grounds that no one would watch his show if they knew about him and Felicia, and that he wasn't the only white person to play black music anymore.

Following productions at the North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly, Massachusetts and TheatreWorks in Mountain View, California during their 2003–2004 season,[2] the musical was staged by the La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego from August 19 through September 28, 2008[3] and the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle from January 27 through February 15, 2009.

[4][5] Directed by Christopher Ashley and choreographed by Sergio Trujillo, the Broadway production began previews at the Shubert Theatre on September 23, 2009, and officially opened on October 19.

The show was captured utilizing multiple high definition cameras and 96 tracks of sound recording.

Director Don Roy King and sound producer Matt Kaplowitz led the production team for Broadway Worldwide.

Other cast members include Quentin Earl Darrington, Rhett George, Will Mann, Julie Johnson, and William Parry.

The entire cast, crew, and orchestra were all high school students from all over the state of Illinois, selected by audition through a rigorous and competitive process.

Nathan Salstone, 2017 graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, performed the role of Huey, and De'jah Perkins was Felicia.

The production played from January 8–10, 2013 in the Tryon Festival Theatre at the Krannert Center for Performing Arts on the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign campus.

[citation needed] From 6 July 2015, X-Factor winner Matt Cardle replaced Killian Donnelly, who left to begin rehearsals for the West End transfer of Kinky Boots.

The role of Felicia was taken over by Rachel John for the final two weeks,[18] until it closed on 31 October 2015 at the Shaftesbury Theatre, to make way for the West End transfer of Motown: The Musical.

Directed by Ed Sylvanus Iskandar and choreographed by Jeffrey Page, the Japanese production began at the Akasaka ACT Theater in Tokyo on January 30, 2015.

The New York Post's Elisabeth Vincentelli stated, "An exuberant musical with classic values: catchy songs, heaping spoonfuls of inspirational moments, and gifted performers at the top of their game.

Joe Dziemianowicz of the New York Daily News gave the show three and a half out of five stars and said, "It's nice to know a new musical can actually surprise you!

Though it starts on a familiar note and sparks deja vu at other points, Memphis eventually finds its own voice and beat, and wins you over with its sheer enthusiasm and exuberant performances.

"[28] John Simon of the Bloomberg News praised the show as well: "I guarantee you a rambunctious good time, highlighted by rousing music and singing, spectacular dancing, and a witty, moving story.

Although both Glover and Kimball received almost unanimous praise for their portrayals of Felicia and Huey, the show was criticized for its storyline.

Charles Isherwood of The New York Times gave the show a lukewarm review, stating "This slick but formulaic entertainment, written by David Bryan and Joe DiPietro, barely generates enough heat to warp a vinyl record, despite the vigorous efforts of a hard charging cast."

"[30] In 2012, it was revealed that Alcon Entertainment, Belle Pictures, and The Mark Gordon Company has planned a film adaptation of the stage musical.