“Memphis” Kicks Off The Moonlight’s 5-Show Summer Season, the Largest in its History

VISTA, CA (April 11, 2022) – “Memphis The Musical,” the 2010 Tony Award winning musical which had its pre-Broadway run at the La Jolla Playhouse, will open Moonlight Stage Productions’ 41st summer season May 11 – 28, 2022 at 8 p.m. This critically acclaimed musical won four Tony Awards in 2010 including Best Musical and Best Original Score, four Drama Desk Awards including Outstanding Musical and Outstanding Music, and four Outer Critic Circle Awards including Outstanding Musical and Outstanding Score. Tickets, priced $17 – $61, are on sale online at moonlightstage.com or by phone at (760) 724-2110.

“Memphis” takes place in the smoky halls and underground clubs of the segregated 50s, where a DJ named Huey Calhoun (Bryan Banville) falls in love with rock and roll and an electrifying singer named Felicia (Janaya Mahealani Jones). “Memphis” is an original story about the cultural revolution that erupted when Huey’s vision met Felicia’s voice, and the music changed forever. Audiences are invited to come along on their incredible journey to the ends of the airwaves and experience a musical that is filled with laughter, vibrant choreography, and roof-raising rock ‘n’ roll.

The show features a Tony winning score with music by Bon Jovi’s founding member and keyboardist David Bryan and Joe DiPietro (“I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change”), who also pens the show’s book and is based on a concept by the late George W. George. The show is loosely based on the real story of Memphis disc jockey Dewey Phillips (1926 – 1968), one of the first white DJs to play black music in the 1950s. The show played on Broadway to critical acclaim from October 19, 2009 to August 5, 2012. The pre-Broadway production was staged at the La Jolla Playhouse from August 19 – September 28, 2008, then on to the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle from January 27 through February 15, 2009.

Making his Moonlight debut is Director and Choreographer Jeffrey Polk whose extensive experience includes directing, performing, and teaching across the globe including Broadway, National Tours, TV, and Film. In 2019, he directed “In The Heights” for Muse Machine in Dayton, Ohio. Other shows he has enjoyed working on include: Directing and Choreographing “The Color Purple” at the Greenway Court Theater; Directing and Choreographing “Smokey Joe’s Café” at the Pasadena Playhouse (Best Director of A Musical from NAACP); Associate Director of “Blues In The Night;” Associate Director at Wallis Annenberg and Laguna Playhouse with Director Sheldon Epps of “The Hot Mikado;” Director/Choreographer at 42nd St. Moon in San Francisco of “Ain’t Misbehavin’;” Choreographer at La Mirada Theatre with Director Ken Page of “Dreamgirls;” Choreographer/Associate Director at TUTS with Director Sheldon Epps of “Kiss Me Kate;” Choreographer/Associate Director at the Pasadena Playhouse with Director Sheldon Epps; and Guest Director with The Young Americans World Tours.

The creative team also includes Music Director and Conductor Lyndon Pugeda, Set Design by Stephen Gifford, Costume Design by Paul Tazewell, Lighting Design by Jennifer Edwards, Projection Design by Jonathan Infante, Hair and Wig Design by Peter Herman, Costume Coordination by Felicia Broschart, Properties Coordination by Bonnie Durben, and is Stage Managed by Topaz Cooks.

The cast includes Bryan Banville, Janaya Mahealani Jones, Shaun T. Evans, Kevin “Blax” Burroughs, Marqell Edward Clayton, Morgan Carberry, Greg Nicholas, Van Angelo, Kiana Baylor, Kalin Booker, Jake Bradford, Xavier J. Bush, John Cardenas, Zane Davis, Deborah Fauerbach, Shannon Gerrity, Donny Gersonde, Joey Guerra, DarRand Hall, Shirley Johnston, Justin Lunsford, Marisa Moenho, Joy Newbegin, Kumari Small, E.Y. Washington, and John Wells III.

The remaining musicals of the season are Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella” (June 8 – 25), “Something Rotten!” (July 20 – August 6), “Ragtime The Musical” (August 17 – September 3), and “Kinky Boots” (September 14 – October 1).
For more information, visit moonlightstage.com or call (760) 724-2110.

CALENDAR INFORMATION
“Memphis The Musical”
May 11 – 28, 2022
Gates open at 6:30 p.m. for dining and picnicking; curtain at 8 p.m. Table reservations on the Moonlight Patio are available for $5 per person and includes early entry at 6 p.m.
TICKET INFORMATION
Single tickets are priced $17 – $61 with additional general lawn discounts for seniors, students, and the military.
HEALTH & SAFETY
The Moonlight follows the protocols set forth by the state and county, Cal/Osha, and Actor’s Equity Association for its company members. Any guidelines issued by the state or the county that affect patrons will be listed at moonlightstage.com.
FOOD AND PICNICKING
Bread and Cheese Eatery returns as The Moonlight’s concessionaire. Audiences may reserve a table for $5 a person on the Moonlight Patio to enjoy charcuterie boards and other menu items from Bread and Cheese Eatery for an additional purchase. Audiences are also invited to bring their own picnic suppers and non-alcoholic beverages into the Amphitheatre. Outside alcohol is not permitted. A variety of wine and beers will be available for purchase from Bread and Cheese Eatery.

THE 2022 SEASON
“Memphis The Musical,” May 11 – 28, 2022 at 8 p.m.
Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella,” June 8 – 25, 2022 at 8 p.m.
“Something Rotten!,” July 20 – August 6, 2022 at 8 p.m.
“Ragtime The Musical,” August 17 – September 3, 2022 at 8 p.m.
“Kinky Boots,” September 14 – October 1, 2022 at 7:30 p.m.

MOONLIGHT PRESENTS CONCERTS
Troubadours: The Music of Carole King and James Taylor, April 22, 2022
Stayin’ Alive – The Bee Gees Tribute, April 23, 2022
The Official Blues Brothers Revue, June 28, 2022
Abba-Mania, June 29, 2022
Queen Nation, July 1, 2022
Summer of Soul, July 2, 2022
Classic Albums Live: Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon, July 6, 2022
Classic Albums Live: Eagles Greatest Hits, July 7, 2022
A Moonlight Cruise with Yächtley Crëw, July 8, 2022
British Invasion Years, July 9, 2022
All concerts are at 7:30 p.m. For tickets and information, visit moonlightstage.com.

ABOUT THE MOONLIGHT & MOONLIGHT STAGE PRODUCTIONS
Winner of several San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Awards, including “Best Resident Musical” for 2019’s “West Side Story” and 2017’s “In the Heights,” Moonlight Stage Productions has been named “San Diego’s #1 Outdoor Theatre” by readers of ‘San Diego Magazine.’ Moonlight Stage Productions provides high-caliber Broadway musical theatre in the 2000-person capacity Moonlight Amphitheatre, owned and operated by the City of Vista. Audiences attend from throughout San Diego, Southern Riverside, and Orange Counties, making the Moonlight a regional destination for Broadway musical theatre. The Moonlight’s summer season of Broadway musicals is produced in the picturesque Moonlight Amphitheatre and has been a summertime tradition experienced by more than one million people since the theatre’s founding by Kathy Brombacher in 1981. Throughout the decades, the Amphitheatre has seen numerous transformations, but nothing as dramatic as the total reconstruction of the stage house in 2008-2009. A state-of-the-art venue was revealed with a grand reopening in June 2009, including a modern stage and audience facilities. Since then, the Amphitheatre has extended its entertainment offerings with the addition of concerts and other special events held throughout the year through Moonlight Presents and ClubM. Moonlight Stage Productions is the cultural arts program of the City of Vista and is produced in partnership with the Moonlight Cultural Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which supports the programming at The Moonlight year-round in addition to offering youth education programs through Moonlight Youth Theatre.