The last three performances of Memphis have been sold out.

And we are talking even the Standing Room spaces were sold.

I’m not sure I have the words to describe the feeling of being a part of a sold out performance. All I know is that my entire office walked over the the Shubert today in order to witness the moment. I mean, I had to stand on the stairs leading to the mezzanine in order to see the opening number- that’s how crazy it was in there.

I think I am most excited because a sold out show is a wonderful way to end 2009 (as we don’ have a show tomorrow night, this was our last show of the year)- everyone has worked so hard to make this show what it is and there is nothing more rewarding than a sold out house.

A special shout out to the fantastical fellas in the box office who have dealt with the mass onslaught of people with charm and style.

Scooping the Covert Report Celebrity Sighting: Gayle King was in the house tonight. After watching several episodes of her roadtripping with Oprah, I can honestly say that she seems like one of the nicest, most fun people in the universe. I can’t wait to hear what she thinks of the show!

I don’t know about you, but if I could wake up to Chad and Montego everyday, I would.

Can you imagine how awesome it would be if they were there to sing in their sweet dulcet* tones, nothing fancy, just a little “good morning” ditty with an occasional riff thrown in here and there.

Word of the Day: Dulcet
dul·cet (dlst)
adj.
1.
a. Pleasing to the ear; melodious.
b. Having a soothing, agreeable quality.

Well, if they can’t be there to sing to me, at least they can be on my television set which is exactly where they were this morning as part of the Good Morning America Coat Drive.

Not only did they donate coats collected from the Cast and Crew of Memphis but they did so on perhaps, nay, definitely the coldest day we have had in Manhattan in a long while. (The last time I wore my Elmur Fudd faux fur hat from Urban Outfitters actually into the city was the day of the Inauguration for example.)

We are so lucky to have Chad and Montego in this show. Not only for their super duper talent, but because of they are amazing human beings- humble and genuine and willing to go the extra mile for the show; it is not easy to be in the middle of a show, get up super early and be camera ready.

And do so, with a smile:

Chad also managed to get in the daily temperature in Memphis, Tennessee, which I thought was brilliant.

He also had this little teeny jacket in his hands which helped to reinforced the importance of providing for the children in our community.

And then, they held hands as the segment was ending, which totally made me melt because A. they are that cute., B. they are that precious., C. it made me wish that Huey and Felicia were together in real life….does anyone else wish that?

As Memphis gets ready to ring out 2009 and ring in 2010, we are all acutely aware of how difficult a time this economic hardship is creating in our communities.

As Montego said this morning, she feels very blessed to be living out her dreams on Broadway and we appreciate every person who has spent some of their time and money joining us at Memphis.

Stay Warm.

The Covert Report – Week 10

The Secret Santa

Ladies and Gentlemen…I give you Hillary Elk.

Not only is this little nugget fresh off the pickle boat and right on to Broadway, but she turned out to be one AMAZING Secret Santa!!

For those that don’t know, Secret Santa is a game where you get gifts or clues as to who your own personal Santa Claus will be…then it ends in a party (in our case, a potluck in the lower lobby of the Shubert) where your Santa is revealed.

Well, from the day after we drew names, I received a gift EVERY DAY. I got a beautiful bottle of wine, pear Jelly Belly’s (my fave), Shirts from Urban Outfitters (3!!), an amazing loop scarf, beautiful new gloves. THEN for the last gift, I got an entire BAG full of goodies. A Redskins hat and T-shirt (YES, they suck but I was born and raised a Washington Redskins fan and I will wear my colors proudly!!), a beautiful sweater, a Christmas Candle, and….wait for it….A bottle of Woodord Reserve….one of the best brown waters out there!!

So, you see, Hillary Elk amazing!! A quick shout out to her as well as she booked her first television pilot for a new show on Comedy Central. This girl came bursting out of the gates and ain’t stopping!!!

I was the Secret Santa for Brad Bass (or Bradsiepoos as I like to call him). He didn’t do too poorly in the gift department either!!

I must also take a second and thank my friend Kathy’s boss Jeff Gold. He and his family saw the show on Sunday afternoon, and they left me a nice bottle of brown water at the stage door afterwards. Nice to know that someone out there is reading my blog and following instructions.

I always enjoy the holidays in NYC. Everyone is so festive and happy. There is always a good party. My friend Holly had one on Christmas Eve where everyone was told to bring a 25 dollar gift for White Elephant. That is a game where you draw numbers and the first person gets a gift, then the second person can steal it or get a new gift, etc etc. I ended up with a Hot Chocolat Pot….um, thanks Jermaine….What does one even do with a hot chocolate pot? What is a hot chocolate pot? Who invented a hot chocolate pot?

The party was a blast and it was nice to hang out with some of my dearest friends. My beautiful friend Mia (who is getting married in July in….wait for it….SAINT LUCIA) actually asked me to be an usher at her wedding!! I am SO excited. Naturally I said no….NOT!!

Then on Christmas Day I returned to my pal Holly’s pad and she cooked up a storm (she is an AMAZING actress, but she is also one hell of a cook…she is even taking classes at The French Culinary Institute….a decision she made after she and I saw “Julie and Julia” I might add…). We had caviar pie, an amazing puff pastry filled with brie and mushrooms and cranberries, beef tender, mashed potatoes, green beans…and some sort of pie that took 4 hours to make, but was a slice of heaven in your mouth!! Thanks for making my Christmas so special Holly!!

Last night another dear friend from High School and her husband came to see MEMPHIS!! Maggie and Luan are two of my favorite people in the World, and we always have such an amazing time together. Inevitably Luan will go to bed and Maggie and I will sit up and catch up until the wee hours. Last night was no exception…Thank Heaven that today is Monday and a day off.

WAIT…it isn’t a day off!! We have a show tonight due to the Holiday Schedule!! I gotta go shave!!! Good thing I didn’t break into a brown water this afternoon!!

A very Happy New Year to all you MEMPHIS fans!!! The word is starting to spread…keep it going!!!

xo,
Kevin

Celebrity Sighting–Financial Guru and Fiesty Femme Fatale Suze Orman was in the house this past week. I wish I had listened to her before Lehman Brothers went under…Thanks for coming!!

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When you get together with family for the holidays, there are inevitably questions about your life, love and, of course, the ever popular “how’s work?”

And, if you are like me, and are giving every person a MEMPHIS Limited Edition Original Broadway Cast Recording CD, there are definitely some follow up questions.

Here are my favorites:
1. Is Broadway one giant theatre?
-Short answer: no.

2. Is there going to be a movie version of MEMPHIS?
-Short answer: the movie people have been in. The movie people like what they saw.

3. What makes this CD a limited edition?
-Short answer: the David Bryan track of “Memphis Lives in Me.”

4. Is MEMPHIS coming to Denver?
- Short answer: that all depends on the DCPA (Denver Center for the Performing Arts), but I would be seriously surprised if they didn’t book it. Aaron Q., if you read this blog and have any insight, drop me an email…

5. Are there any musicals called “DENVER?”
-Short Answer: not that I am involved in…

These questions reveal two things:
1. I was/am in Colorado for the holidays,
2. Those who received the CD like what they heard and are wanting more.

If you gave the MEMPHIS CD for the Holidays, let me know!!

P.S. I am currently blogging in my “Never let anyone steal your rock ‘n’ roll t-shirt, which I think might be the first time I have been blogging about MEMPHIS whilst wearing a show shirt. I guess it helps me feel closer to the show when at an altitude of 7,000 ft.

To all the family and friends of the cast, crew, stage management team, house staff, ushers, merchadise mavens, bartenders, and box office personnel- thank you for lending them to us over this holiday season so that MEMPHIS magic can happen every day, sometimes twice a day.

Have the merriest of Merry Christmases and we’ll see you at the Shubert tomorrow!

-The Producers of MEMPHIS (and the Show Pup, Samson)

Thanks Francis for this article on Chad!

From Memphis to Broadway
Memphis, a fictionalized account of the roots of rock ‘n roll as it emerged from unknown black boppers in “underground” clubs of the 50s along Memphis’ Beale Street is anchored by Chad Kimball’s bravura performance as DJ Huey Calhoun, the role that dominates the musical. Calhoun ignores racial boundaries of the era in his determination to take “race music” to the mainstream. There are obstacles such as falling in love, racist violence, and his swelling head as he becomes a celebrity.

His performance is a star-making turn after appearing in the short-lived Lennon and roles in the short-lived Good Vibrations, and the Into the Woods revival. There’s nothing short-lived about Memphis. The show, six years in germination, with the rousing score by Bon Jovi founding member David Bryan and book by Joe DiPietro [I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change] has found an ever-growing audience.

“To create a character from scratch and have the opportunity to develop that character over a period,” says Kimball, “is every actor’s dream come true. I fell madly in love with the music and story.”

He says it’s work that doesn’t feel like work. “I’ve been able to bring to Huey something from my life, my experiences. All those tough, sad times, those times of desperation served the role. It makes me believe it was meant to be.”

Kimball’s co-star is vibrant, stunning and golden-voiced Montego Glover as the singer Calhoun pushes into the big time. “What can I say? Montego is an absolute delight to work with. She’s passionate, inquisitive, confident, easy on the eye, and can blow the roof off any building with that power house voice. I’m a lucky man to be allowed to share the stage with her.”

It appears to be a mutual admiration society. “Working with Chad is thrilling because we’ve created our roles together over the six years. It’s amazing how we’ve developed a shorthand – this easy language between us. Most amazing is Chad’s fearlessness, intelligence, and commitment to his work. I find it engaging and empowering. This is a memorable time.”

Regarding his character, he said it wasn’t such an easy task to create Huey. “He’s a guy who’s belligerent, annoying, and selfish – at times! – and stil he has to tug at your heart, make you smile, make you cry. I’d describe him as a likable tragic hero, a sort of everyman. He isn’t the suave, debonair leading man Broadway’s used to. He is a guy’s guy who tries, fails, picks himself up, and repeats. He someone we all can relate to because we live that cycle everyday.”

Kimball says the critical and audience response to his performance and the show has been surreal. “You work and work and hope that your work translates. When it does it feels so gratifying. Our audiences are responding with an exhilaration I’ve never experienced. They’re like kids at Christmas! It’s magical to see response such as that to a show that has no history, that’s not based on a book or a movie, and has no music they’ve ever heard. They come in with no expectations and leave with a newness that might be likened to the inaugural run of a roller coaster. I feel immensely blessed. I’ve pinched myself so many times I think I might start scarring.”

He praises the Memphis company as “extraordinary, intense.” “When you’re with so much unique talent, it makes you want to constantly better myself as a performer and as a person.”

Just in time for the holidays, Delray Records has released Memphis’ original cast recording.

For the article in its original context, here is the link:

http://www.broadwaystars.com/ellis/2009/12/a_fairly_white_christmas_rcmhs.shtml

The Covert Report – Week 9

A View From The View

Now listen. I am an actor, meaning that my average waking up time is about 11 or 11:30am. Imagine the shock and horror of it all when my alarm went off at – wait for it – 7AM this past Thursday.

I thought an intruder had broken in to my apartment and shot me. My first concern, naturally, was for the lovely supply of brown water that is in my dining area. Would the burglar steal it all? Then, after about 10 minutes, I realized that there wasn’t an intruder and I hadn’t been shot. It was the alarm on my iphone waking me up.

WHY was the alarm waking me up at that un-Godly hour? Well, I had to get up and get ready to go be on THE VIEW!!! That’s right….

SO, I stumbled to the shower (after giving a quick glance over to the bar area to be certain that the brown water was still in tact), and began the beautifcation process for my appearance on National TV.

At around 8 I received a text from Ephraim to make sure that my ass was up and at it. He, Daniel and I decided to meet by the Hess station on 45th and 10th to take a taxi up to ABC studios. Well, it was the first official day of FREEZING. By the time we all 3 met and got into the cab, I couldn’t feel my face. Thus began the worrying that I would look blotchy on tv…..

We arrived at ABC at 8:30 and rehearsed for the segment from 9-10. The View staff and crew are super organized and everything went smoothly.

After that we all convened in a green room type place where they provided coffee and bagels. The next hour and a half we relaxed and met all sorts of celebrities. Barbara Walters stopped in and said hello. Sherri Shepherd came in to talk t o Daniel and Ephraim (although I don’t know how they know her…must inquire). Whoopi came in and thanked us for being there and said “Welcome to my nightmare”….she must not enjoy getting up that early either!!

Stanley Tucci was there to promote “The Lovely Bones” (which I can’t wait to see….I LOVED that book). Emily Blunt was there to promote her new movie about Queen Victoria. Bryan Fenkhart in the cast has a TOTAL celeb crush on Emily, and he got to have his picture taken with her….he was one happy camper.

At about 11:50, MEMPHIS performed “Underground” and “Memphis Lives In Me” on ABC TV!! All went swimmingly and my phone immediatley lit up with texts from friends and family saying how great it was! It would have been better if Bryan’s face wasn’t covering mine in one of the shots….but I will forgive him this one time…..

Then at Noon…we were all done!! It was super fun. Well, at that point I figured I was already up, so I might as well do some Christmas shopping. I needed to buy gifts for my family and get them mailed to VA!! WELL, I was at Mail Boxes Etc with the gifts by 1:30…THAT my friends is some quick shopping. Bless a Visa Gift Card.

As the word on MEMPHIS continues to grow…look for The Beale Street cast tomorrow on Good Day NY!! I don’t mind doing all the publicity….but doesn’t anything tape at, say, 3 or 4 pm? That is when I feel the freshest….

I used to joke about how the camera adds 10 pounds….I’m not laughing anymore. Where is the brown water?

Happy Holidays all you Memphians!!! Let’s get the word out in 2010 that “MEMPHIS” is the place to be!! Hockadoo

-Kevin

Celebrity Sighting – The one and only Martin Short came to the show. He LOVED it, and said that he would be telling all his LA friends that we are the must see show in NY!!! HOCKADOO!!

I’m pretty sure that I have mentioned that it is freezing in New York City. Which means that people are more apt to find themselves “Underground,” aka the Subway. As a result, my blackberry blows up with exciting Memphis sightings from all over town.

I love it when people send me these because it means that all those hours and emails spent discussing things like design and placement have translated into something real!

What I really wanted to share with you tonight was our Holiday schedule. Its a little wonky, but here is the jist:

We have Monday night shows for the next two weeks, the Tuesday curtains are at 8pm instead of 7 for the next two weeks and there are double days on Sunday- the matinees are at 2pm and the evenings are at 7pm.

Here is the schedule as I received it from the lovelies at Company Management.

TONIGHT December 21st 8 pm
Tuesday December 22nd 8 pm
Wednesday December 23rd 2 pm & 8 pm
Thursday December 24th DARK
Friday December 25th DARK
Saturday December 26th 2 pm & 8 pm
Sunday December 27th 2 & 7 pm (this may or may not be my birth day)
Monday December 28th 8 pm
Tuesday December 29th 8 pm
Wednesday December 30th 2 pm & 8 pm
Thursday December 31st DARK
Friday January 1st DARK
Saturday January 2nd 2 pm & 8 pm
Sunday January 3rd 2 pm & 7 pm

So if you have peeps in town over the next two weeks, think about giving them the gift of Memphis. Its the gift that keeps on giving, and now with the Original Broadway Cast Recording out, it can be given across the country, to those relatives, like Grandma Hazel, who like to keep things spicy.

Or to your Mom, whom you may have just discovered pre-ordered the cast recording but who may be getting another one any day now courtesy of her darling daughter…the more Memphis, the merrier, I always say.

Bar Beauty and Manager, Melissa, captured yesterday's snow storm. This was during Act 1.

The view on 44th street facing east towards Tmes Square.

This is what greated the audience post-show! Hope everyone got home safe and dry!

Thank you Melissa for braving the cold to capture the Winter Wonderland which was Shubert Alley last night. And yes, there was a snow ball fight between some of the cast members post show. No word on who won.