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The show runs Aug. 14-16 and Aug. 21-23.
“Memphis” is a Tony Award-winning musical set
in the segregation era and the early days of rock ’n’ roll.
It’s loosely based on the life of Dewey Phillips, who was
one of the first radio DJs to play African-American music
for a white audience.
Owens plays Felicia Farrell, a talented black
singer who falls in love with Huey Calhoun, the character
based on Phillips.
“It is a tale of the birth of rock ’n’ roll
and how it brings people together and changes the lives of
an African-American woman and a white man,” Owens said.
The story is powerful and emotional, and so
is the music, which runs the gamut of musical styles.
“It’s soulful, jazzy, bluesy and rocky,”
Owens said.
Owens began making a name for herself as
early as elementary school, when Toledo Mud Hens fans came
to know her as “the little girl with the big voice.” She was
introduced to musical theater as a student at the Toledo
School for the Arts, learning from Deb Calabrese, who is
also the director of this production of “Memphis.”
Since moving to New York, Owens has released
her own EP, “Colorful,” and had her music featured
everywhere from VH1’s “Love and Hip Hop” to ABC Family’s
“Becoming Us.” Her song “Pendulum” was released by Def Jam
Records/Universal Music Group as part of a “Love and Hip
Hop” compilation, and her song “Winter Holidays” was
featured on the Northwest Ohio Make-A-Wish Foundation’s
benefit CD, “Holiday Wishes II: River of Stars.”
She previously appeared on the Croswell stage
in 2010’s “A Chorus Line.”
“Memphis” at the Croswell also features Dan
Clair of Canton, Michigan, as Huey Calhoun; Derrick Jordan
of Toledo as Felicia’s brother, Delray; and Lydia Schafer of
Toledo as Huey’s mother, Gladys. Calabrese worked with Touch
A Dream Dance Studio in Toledo to round out the ensemble for
the show’s powerful dance numbers.
“Memphis” opens Aug. 14 and runs for two
weekends, with Friday and Saturday shows at 8 p.m. and
Sunday shows at 2:30 p.m.
The Croswell is at 129 E. Maumee St. in
downtown Adrian. Tickets range from $15 to $35 and can be
purchased online at Croswell.org or by calling 517-264-7469.
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