Meet the Amazing Cast of Memphis at Birmingham Village Players

Memphis the Musical, the Tony-award winning play running September 6-22 at Birmingham Village Players (BVP), is a tale of forbidden love and the power of music set in the racially charged 1950’s.

“I've never seen a community theater tackle a show where they needed so many crazily talented African American singers, actors, and dancers,” said Music Director Curtis Rowe of Bloomfield.

The talent was so good that the leading lady, Felicia, will be played by Charnell Williams (originally from Detroit but currently residing in Troy) and Stacey Barrett of Detroit. Both were so amazing it was impossible to choose. This is the first time in BVP history that a leading role in a musical was double cast.

But the two Felicia’s aren’t the only fascinating backstage story.

Dan Clair, the male lead, is making his second appearance as Huey. Clair played the character once before in the Croswell Opera House production of Memphis.

Haylee Richardson (ensemble) of Royal Oak previously performed with the Detroit Youth Choir (DYC). Richardson was part of the group during its second appearance on ABC’s America’s Got Talent (AGT).

Eric Brown from Detroit who plays Gator sang with DYC when they performed at Carnegie Hall and was also featured in the six-episode TV series about the choir on Disney Plus.

LyNyck Washington of Detroit performed at Carnegie Hall earlier this year with Brazeal Dennard Chorale Choir before joining the ensemble of Memphis.

Jeriel Woods of Southfield who plays Wailin’ Joe performed in China for three months.

Seaholm High School student Anderson Lee who is part of the ensemble was nominated for the 2024 Sutton Foster Awards.

The is the second year in a row that ensemble member Jacinta Shanae is performing in the season opener for BVP. She played Ruth in last fall’s production of A Raisin in the Sun.

Stacey Barrett of Detroit (Felicia) is a freelance jazz and R&B vocalist who performs locally at festivals like River Days, Arts, Beats, & Eats.

Charnell Williams who is originally from Detroit but currently resides in Troy played Angie Dickinson in The Prom, BVP’s last show of 2023, and is back to play Felicia in the opening show of 2024, Memphis.

Jayshona Box of Detroit is entering her final year in the BFA program at Wayne State University.

Drew Hall of Detroit, the Opening DJ, has been performing for over 20 years, but he’s also known for his scenic design scenic design for The Prom last season.

For Trio member Brandon Walker of Southfield, finding Jesus was life changing. He credits his faith with saving his life and leading him to theatre.

Trio member Jamaall Gibson Casey of Novi performed in plays years ago, but this is the first time he’s sung and danced on stage.

Ensemble member Tyler Smith of Troy is a graphic designer, and this is the first time they have performed on stage…ever!

Holly’s Curtis Martin who plays Perry Como in this production once played Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar.

Ferndale’s Chris Bateson who plays Buck Wiley and Martin Holt in this production also sings Barbershop and Jazz.

Oak Park’s Kelli Williams started acting out of curiosity and now she can't stop. This is her 11th onstage production since the fall of 2021 and her first performance with BVP.

This is Addie Wilson’s first show with BVP, but not her first time on stage. She was a chorus member in T.J. Hemphill’s Perilous Times.

Melanie Jones is also making her debut on the Village Players stage. The Farmington Hills resident was a voice-over actor for the Flint Repertory Company in 2021 and is also a behind the scenes stylist.

Kevin Branshaw of Novi who plays Mr. Simmons is a 25-year member of Village Players and is performing in his 15th show at Birmingham Village Players.

Tania Velinsky of Royal Oak who plays Gladys has been a member of the theatre since 2004 and is also the BVP historian.

Two cast members, Dyrel Johnson of Westland who plays Bobby and ensemble member LyNyck Washington of Detroit, were last seen at BVP in the cast of Ain’t Misbehavin.’

Tia Hockenhull of Southfield who is part of the ensemble just graduated from Hope College with a degree in chemistry.

Jayshona Box of Detroit is entering her final year in the BFA program at Wayne State University.

Ensemble member Nyla Addis is making her BVP debut, but she’s performed in musicals at Pontiac IV, Stagecrafters, and Lakeland Players to name a few.

Novi’s Pat Rodgers has many years of experience in community theatre and brings multiple characters to life in this production (Clara/Mother/Stage Manager).

At least four cast members including Chaz Cunningham of Southfield who plays Felicia’s protective older brother Delray, are performing in their first show since COVID halted or drastically changed all theatrical productions.

Approximately half of the cast members are making their Village Players debut in this show and several of them are performing in their first community theatre production.

And we also need to acknowledge our crew:

Director Mark Carley of Beverly Hills returned to the BVP stage last season as Karl Linder in A Raisin in the Sun after years of work behind the scenes. He also serves on VP’s Board of Trustees and will be our new treasurer when he finishes directing Memphis.

After creating dance moves for DYC and her own dance company for years, Choreographer Diamond Carswell of Detroit is expanding her dance horizons and, for the first time, taking on choreography for community theatre. She will be ably assisted by Assistant Director Roberta Campion of Southfield.

Southfield’s Michael Campion (Master Carpenter) and his wife Roberta Campion (Assistant Director/Assistant Choreographer) were honored by Birmingham Bloomfield Cultural Arts Council’s Special Lifetime Achievement Award for theatrical work in 2020-2021. Michael also received the 2019-2020 AbBy Award (Above and Beyond) which honors BVP members for their service, contribution and spirit that goes above and beyond the call of duty.

Edmond Guay, one of the production's lighting designers, is a three-time recipient of the Michigan Theatre Teacher of the Year Award, was named the Oakland County Teacher of the Year in 2017 and was a national finalist and honorable mention recipient of the Tony Award for Excellence in the Theatre Education in 2017.

Eric Sieh joined BVP in 2016. When he’s not busy running sound he collects and builds Lego sets in his free time.

Set designer Steve Sussman is an architect in real life, but he’s also an actor, director, and playwright for BVP

Music Director Curtis Rowe of Bloomfield Hills brought another music history story to life in last season’s production of Jersey Boys at BVP.

According to Producer/Costumer Michael Gravame of Detroit, the costumes worn in the finale of this show are the actual Tony-nominated costumes used in the Broadway production.

“This Memphis cast is going to knock the socks out of all who attend this dynamic piece of theater!” said Rowe. “I'm working with an amazing group of people who are all Triple Threats (a performer who is great at singing, dancing and acting)! A cast of triple threats doesn't come around that often, and just thinking about it, I got even more excited about the fire this group is going to set on the Village Stage!”

Memphis runs September 6-22, 2024 at Birmingham Village Players. Thursday, Friday and Saturday shows begin at 8PM. Sunday matinees start at 2pm. Individual reserved tickets are $30 (includes ticketing fee). Season tickets for all six shows run $150. Flex packages are also available. For $250 you will receive 10 tickets redeemable for any combination of shows. Tickets can be purchased by calling the box office, 248-644-2075, or by placing an order on the website, www.birminghamvillageplayers.com.

Memphis, the musical contains racially charged content, adult language and portrays scenes of physical abuse. Viewer discretion is advised

About The Village Players:

The Village Players of Birmingham, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit community theater, presents high quality dramatic, comedic, and musical productions. Everyone is invited to participate on stage, backstage or as an audience member in the theater's main stage, youth theater, and Playwrights@Work productions and programs. The Village Players have been entertaining the community from its location at 34660 Woodward Avenue in Birmingham since 1926.