Centennial, Colo. – March 17, 2011 – MEMPHIS, Broadway’s current Tony Award winning Best Musical, is hitting big screens nationwide for an exclusive four-night run on Thursday, April 28; Saturday, April 30; and Tuesday, May 3 at 7:30 p.m., with a special matinee on Sunday, May 1 at 12:30 p.m. (all times are local). This is the first time the current Tony Award-winning Best Musical will be presented in movie theaters while concurrently running on Broadway. In addition to the electrifying musical, audiences will be treated to an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the musical that won four 2010 Tony Awards and continues to play to sold out houses on Broadway. MEMPHIS was captured live in performance with the original Broadway cast for this special Fathom event presentation.
Tickets for MEMPHIS are available at participating theater box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com. For a complete list of theater locations, prices and additional information – including cast photos and other details -visit the NCM Fathom website (theaters and participants are subject to change).
Presented by NCM Fathom and Broadway Worldwide, MEMPHIS was captured live in performance at Broadway’s renowned Shubert Theatre in New York City, and will be broadcast to more than 530 movie theaters nationwide through NCM’s exclusive Digital Broadcast Network. Broadway Worldwide’s production team is led by founder and executive producer Bruce Brandwen, Emmy Award-winning director Don Roy King (Saturday Night Live, CBS’ The Early Show, Survivor) and Grammy and Emmy Award-winning sound producer Matt Kaplowitz (Ghandi, PBS’ To Bear Witness).
MEMPHIS takes place in the smoky halls and underground clubs of the segregated 50’s, where a young white DJ named Huey Calhoun (Chad Kimball) fell in love with everything he shouldn’t: rock and roll and an electrifying black singer (Montego Glover). MEMPHIS is an original story about the cultural revolution that erupted when his vision met her voice, and the music changed forever. Bursting off the stage with explosive dancing, irresistible songs and a thrilling tale of fame and forbidden love, this incredible journey is filled with laughter, soaring emotion and roof-raising rock ‘n’ roll.
“We are absolutely thrilled to share the story of MEMPHIS and its Broadway experience with audiences nationwide,” said MEMPHIS producer Sue Frost. “It’s an extraordinary opportunity for all of us involved with the production, and we can’t wait for Broadway lovers across America to see it on the big screen!”
MEMPHIS features a Tony-winning book by Joe DiPietro (I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change) and a Tony-winning original score with music and lyrics composed by David Bryan, Grammy Award winning keyboard player and founding member of Bon Jovi. Directed by Tony nominee Christopher Ashley (Xanadu) with choreography by Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys), the all-star cast features Tony nominee Chad Kimball, Tony nominee Montego Glover, Derrick Baskin, J. Bernard Calloway, James Monroe Iglehart, Tony nominee Michael McGrath and Cass Morgan.
“MEMPHIS has been dazzling audiences since its Broadway premiere, and for the first time ever, audiences around the country will be able to experience Broadway’s current Best Musical at its finest – direct from Broadway – in their own hometown movie theater,” said Dan Diamond, vice president of NCM Fathom.
MEMPHIS will launch a U. S. national tour in Memphis, Tenn., in October 2011 at the Orpheum Theatre. Additional cities, dates and casting will be announced at a later date. The national tour is being booked by The Booking Group, contact Meredith Blair (212) 869-9280 www.thebookinggroup.com.
For more information about MEMPHIS on Broadway, please visit www.MemphistheMusical.com
About National CineMedia (NCM)
NCM operates NCM Media Networks, a leading integrated media company reaching U.S. consumers in movie theaters, online and through mobile technology. The NCM Cinema Network and NCM Fathom present cinema advertising and events across the nation’s largest digital in-theater network, comprised of theaters owned by AMC Entertainment Inc., Cinemark Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CNK), Regal Entertainment Group (NYSE: RGC) and other leading regional theater circuits. NCM’s theater advertising network covers 170 Designated Market Areas (49 of the top 50) and includes approximately 17,300 screens (16,000 digital). During 2010, over 675 million patrons attended movies shown in theaters currently included in NCM’s network (including Consolidated Theatres, Rave Cinemas and R/C Theatres). The NCM Fathom Events broadcast network is comprised of over 600 locations in 162 Designated Market Areas (all of the top 50). The NCM Interactive Network offers 360-degree integrated marketing opportunities in combination with cinema, encompassing 43 entertainment-related websites, online widgets and mobile applications. National CineMedia, Inc. (NASDAQ: NCMI) owns a 48.3% interest in and is the managing member of National CineMedia LLC. For more information, visit www.nationalcinemedia.com or www.ncm.com or www.fathomevents.com. (NCMI-F)
About Broadway Worldwide
Broadway Worldwide was established in 1995 as first-to-market in the high definition, surround sound production and worldwide distribution of Broadway musicals captured live-in-performance for digital cinema, DVD and television. To date, Broadway Worldwide has captured and distributed SMOKEY JOE’S CAF, Broadway’s longest running musical revue, Stephen Sondheim’s PUTTING IT TOGETHER starring Carol Burnett and JEKYLL & HYDE starring David Hasselhoff.