Theatre Under The Stars’ (TUTS) Artistic Director, Dan Knechtges is directing the upcoming production of MEMPHIS!

“I’m so excited to be able to bring such an outstanding team to Houston to work at TUTS. Houston audiences will be dazzled by what this creative bunch comes up with!” said Knechtges.

This will be the first production Knechtges’ has directed at TUTS since becoming Artistic Director of the organization. Previously, he directed the 2016 production of HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING. Joining Knechtges on the production is Jessica Hartman as Choreographer, Darryl Ivey as Music Director, Ryan O’Gara as Lighting Designer, Andrew Harper as Sound Designer, Kevin Depinet as Set Designer, Leon Dobkowski as Costume Designer, and Jeff Knaggs as Hair and Makeup Designer.

Hartman’s Broadway credits include serving as the Associate Choreographer for Lysistrata Jones and as the Assistant Choreographer, Dance Captain and swing for The Boy From Oz. Most recently, she choreographed a world premiere at the Kennedy Center that moved to The New Victory Theatre in NYC, as well as All Shook Up at The MUNY. Ivey served as the Associate Conductor for the touring production of The Color Purple, and more recently on the Broadway production of Shuffle Along. O’Gara’s Broadway credits include Associate Lighting Designer for Prince of Broadway, Come From Away, Bronx Tale, and Hamilton.

Harper is an independent Sound Designer who has worked with TUTS many times on productions such as Dreamgirls, The Rocky Horror Show, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, and In The Heights. Depinet is known for his set design on productions of Les Miserables (Paramount Theatre), Smokey Joe’s Cafe (Drury Lane Oakbrook), Into The Woods (TUTS), and Jesus Christ Superstar (Paramount Theatre). Dobkowski has designed costumes for innumerable productions including The Wizard of Oz (The MUNY), Mamma Mia! (The MUNY), A Christmas Story (Paper Mill Playhouse), and Hairspray (The MUNY). Knaggs has worked on many TUTS productions including Dreamgirls, Into The Woods, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, The Rocky Horror Show, Million Dollar Quartet, and Heathers.

Inspired by actual events, MEMPHIS is about a white radio DJ who wants to change the world and a black club singer who is ready for her big break. Come along on their incredible journey to the ends of the airwaves – filled with laughter, soaring emotion and roof-raising rock ‘n’ roll. Winner of four 2010 Tony® Awards including Best Musical, MEMPHIS features a Tony®-winning book by Joe DiPietro (I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change and All Shook Up) and a Tony®-winning original score with music by Bon Jovi founding member David Bryan.

MEMPHIS is possible thanks to the generous support of production sponsors, ConocoPhillips, Apache, and Freeport LNG.

Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital is the official healthcare partner of Theatre Under The Stars. United Airlines is the official airline partner of Theatre Under The Stars. KTRK ABC-13 is the official media partner of Theatre Under The Stars. TUTS is supported in part by the City of Houston through the Theater District and the Texas Commission on the Arts.