Michelle Obama and Children See Memphis on Broadway

The Obamas minus papa prez (who was quite busy in Washington D.C. with the vote on health care reform) made a visit to Memphis yesterday. First Lady Michelle Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha took in the Sunday matinee of the new musical about a southern DJ who introduces his listeners to the rhythm and blues music known at the time as "race music". The show's cast members weren't the only ones to get applause at that performance - the Obamas received an enthusiastic standing ovation from their fellow audience members.

Memphis Begins Performances On Broadway

The new rock 'n' roll musical Memphis starts performances at Broadway's Shubert Theatre today, where it is scheduled for an official Broadway opening on October 19 and an open run. Set in the era when rock 'n' roll was just emerging, the show stars Montego Glover (whose credits include The Color Purple and Ragtime) as a black songstress who is having difficulty furthering her career because she can't break into segregated clubs. Chad Kimball (previously on Broadway in Lennon and Into the Woods) plays a white DJ who uses his radio station to bring her music to a broader audience. Memphis has a book and lyrics by Joe DiPietro (the man behind the Off-Broadway smash I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change) and music by Bon Jovi's David Bryan. The duo are currently represented Off-Broadway by a very different kind of musical, the New Jersey-set satire The Toxic Avenger.