Boston Arts Academy Presents Memphis: The Musical

Boston Arts Academy Presents Memphis: The Musical Massachusetts Congresswoman-elect Ayanna Pressley will be receive the BAA Champion Award Actor and three-time NAACP Image Award winner Malik Yoba will host the post-show talkback

BOSTON, MA – On Friday, January 25, 2019, Boston Arts Academy (BAA), the city’s only public high school for the visual and performing arts presents, Memphis: The Musical at the Strand Theatre in Dorchester, 543 Columbia Road. A pre-show VIP reception at 5:30 p.m. hosted by BAA’s Advisory Council, will feature Congresswoman-elect Ayanna Pressley who will accept the BAA Champion Award.  The show begins at 7:30 p.m., and the talkback session will immediately follow. Latifa Benitir, who is the new Cultural Attaché from the Consulate General of France in Boston/Cultural Services of the French Embassy in the United States, will attend the VIP Reception as the guest of BAA board member Eve Rounds.

Based on real life disc jockey Dewey Phillips, one of the first white disc jockey’s to play black music in 1950s, Memphis: The Musical is the story of a young optimist who believes that music can transcend race and societal barriers in the midst of segregation in the Deep South. Aspiring singer Felicia Farrell, who is ready for her big break (and love) joins him on his journey to change the world (or at least Memphis, Tennessee) through music. Written by playwright and lyricist Joe DiPietro, this Broadway production is the winner of four Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Book, and Best Score.

Maura Tighe, BAA theatre arts faculty and Memphis director, leans toward shows that involve great music and dance, that are undergirded by a strong script. She said, “I look for projects for our students that no other high school would dare to produce. Memphis has a strong storyline, as it portrays the way white producers and radio DJ’s appropriated Rhythm & Blues, and Gospel, promoting Rock & Roll as a new white sound.” Tighe added, “We have a unique group of extremely talented artists, so this is a perfect musical for BAA.”

Actor, author, and musician, Malik Yoba, best known for his roles in the Disney classic Cool Runnings, the hit Fox television series Empire and New York Undercover, recently joined the Boston Arts Academy Foundation (BAAF) board, and was eager to facilitate the talkback session to help unpack the weight and impact of this story. Yoba stated, “I’m always happy to help out BAA students, parents, and faculty. Concerns about the show’s language created a teachable moment via the talkback.”

BAAF Foundation President, Denella J. Clark, said, “Our great endeavor is to reach students on a creative, political and socially conscious level through the arts, and produce well rounded, civically engaged professional artists, and business people.”

For more information about BAA and Memphis: The Musical, January 25th-26th, visit https://bostonartsacademy.org or https://bostonartsacademy.org/memphis/.https://bostonartsacademy.org/memphisreception. For VIP tickets and reception information visit https://www.facebook.com/events/2124273734303763/ https://www.facebook.com/events/2166764710254943/ Opening night is at 7:30 p.m. January 26th show times are 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sponsorship opportunities and group tickets are available. Individual tickets may be purchased on-line prices are as follows: $100.00 for VIP, $15.00 for adults, and $10.00 for students.

Boston Arts Academy (BAA) is supported by Boston Arts Academy Foundation (BAAF) which is an independent 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, and raises 40% of the school’s budget from private philanthropic sources. BAA is Boston’s only public high school for the visual and performing arts. It provides a diverse student body, a majority of whom come from low-income families, access to a college-preparatory arts, and academic education not otherwise available to them. Our mission is to prepare a community of aspiring artist-scholar-citizens to be successful in college or their professional careers, and to be engaged members of their communities. Our innovative arts and academic curriculum yields impressive results.

SHOW TIMES ARE AS FOLLOWS:

Friday, January 25, 2019 Pre-Show Reception at 5:30 pm
Friday, January 25, 2019 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, January 26, 2019 at 2:00 pm
Saturday, January 26, 2019 at 7:30 pm