As Broadway prepares for a scheduled re-opening this fall, WJPS students were recently treated to a remote performance of the Tony Award-winning musical, Memphis. It was a marvelous and magnificent show and a night to remember.

Before the show, we had the opportunity to meet with one of the stars of the show, Brad Bass. 

Bass, who plays the role of legendary singer Perry Como said, “Memphis is a beautiful story to see that people long ago, were traversing this road of love, no matter what color you are. I absolutely love it. I treasure it.” 

He was very confident that Broadway would definitely come back in full. He said a few years ago he went to Greece and he stood on one of the oldest stages in the world. He said, “theater has been around forever. It’s not going anywhere. We are just momentarily lost.”   

Bass, who is also now a teacher of acting at an academy in Georgia, had advice for students who may be interested in a career in theater. He stated, “I always tell the students to figure out how to say a line. Learn the text. If you don’t, you’ll never really get a chance to play.” 

WJPS’ own assistant principal, Mr. Petrotta is a friend and former castmate of Bass’. They performed together in musicals Godspell and Grease. 

“Memphis Recording Service – Sun Studio” by Wha’ppen is licensed under CC BY 2.0