The musical production of MEMPHIS at The Cape Fear Regional Theatre is a love story . . . of sorts. Unlike most love stories, this one isn’t about the love between a man and a woman. No this story is about the love between a man, a woman, a city and the music that unites them.

Huey Calhoun (played by actor Matthew Mucha) grew up a poor white boy who found himself through music. In spite of his father’s hatred towards blacks and the teaching that whites stay with whites, Huey found himself pulled to their music there was something about it that drew him in, it spoke to him – to his soul.

This is something I can relate to in a personal way. I grew up in a Pentecostal church where ‘worldly music’ was something we simply did not listen to. It wasn’t allowed and it was taught to be a sin. To get caught with our radios tuned to anything other than the local Christian station would be a cause for repent and probably a bit of rebuke.

Yet, there was simply something about music – all music – that drew me. I loved the beat, the rhythm and most of all the lyrics. I love listening to the words of a song and finding a way they relate to who I am as a person, where I am in my life or even where I want to be. I never understood why if I wasn’t singing specifically about God I was wrong.

As the story of Memphis unfolds we see the relation of the church to rhythm and blues music. The roots of the music many Christians chose to judge started within the walls of the very church they take refuge in.

I could instantly understand the feeling music brought to Huey, Felicia and the rest of the crew of Delray’s club. It wasn’t so much about where the music was but why the music was. Music can outreach racism, judgment, and even hatred. Music can speak beyond those boundaries and reach someone in a way like nothing else. Music can reach your soul.

Throughout each scene, you could see how religion and music came together to help tell the story. Through song, inspiration, and emotion.

Felicia Farrell (played by actress Shonica Gooden) grew up under the watchful and at times over-protective eyes of her older sister, Delray. Her parents died when she was young and for her sister protecting Felicia and her talent was her one goal in life. Yet for Felicia, her music was the only one thing she loved enough to follow despite and at times in spite of her sister’s desires.

The way I grew up, going against the strict rules and guidelines set up by both the church and my over-protective Grandmother was a bit risky. Yet much like, Felicia I couldn’t help but listen to my soul – that something calling to me right where I was in my life.

Early in my teens, I began making my own hidden set of mixed-tapes. I filled them with all the popular R&B, Pop and Hip-Hop songs from radio stations. I would sit on the side of my bed with my ‘boom box’ (yep I just aged myself) and finger at the ready to hit record always making sure I could still see the door in case my Grandmother walked in.

Songs by artists like George Michael, Aliyah, Celine Dione, Michael Jackson, TLC and many others who’s lyrics began to give me release and solace for the feelings I couldn’t always express through the gospel music my Grandmother allowed me to listen to.

Was I right to lie? Of course not! Yet it was through that act of rebellion I discovered the true power of music. I expanded my understanding of how songs can impact me and why. It was only in exploring and discovering new music that I learned what music was right for me as a person and as a Christian.

The love story of Huey and Felicis started with music. It was the music that drew Huey and Felicia together. Music is what drew Huey in through the doors of Delray’s club. The sound of Felicia’s voice and her passion for what she did. Music helped them find love in a place and time where their love was forbidden.

Yet like I said, in the beginning, this story isn’t just about a love story between a man and a woman. It’s a love story of the music they shared.

The music brought that Huey and Felicia together had an impact that reached far beyond them. The music reached and altered the paths of all those around them. Friends who once believed in never crossing the color line began to see the line was never meant to be there. Family who saw no greater risk than loving outside your race started to understand true love is when you’re willing to risk it all.

Memphis tells us the story of how music brings us all together despite race, culture, beliefs or the rules of others. It tells the love story of music in a way I’ve never experienced but somehow always known. You know what? I think Huey and Felicia say it best . . .

MEMPHIS is playing at The Cape Fear Regional Theatre now through May 26th. Get your tickets HERE and listen, witness and experience this love story for yourself!

Until then, watch this Q&A with the Cast that happened right after the show:

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