HOLY GRAIL OF MEMPHIS (Arden): Lost tape blues

Matteo Scammell (Newton “Newt” Stover II), Newton Buchanan (Derek Benoit), and Kishia Nixon (Gigi Robins) in HOLY GRAIL OF MEMPHIS. Photo by Ashley Smith, Wide Eyed Studios.

Playwright Michael Hollinger’s Holy Grail of Memphis is in world premiere at the Arden Theatre Company. This is the 13th Hollinger play that the Arden has produced.

The show at the Arden features a great cast, American folk songs, a finger nail, and most important, the discovery of long lost tapes-. But not just any tapes. These were moldering in the cellar, their condition unknown. It may be that the tapes would fall apart if anyone attempted to play them. Or, they could be what they are labeled to be, the songs of the legendary bluesman Deaf Duck. The Holy Grail of Memphis has lots of music, conversation, and amusing moments. And there’s talk of Robert Johnson at the crossroads. (FYI: In 1986, Johnson was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.)

Director Terrence Nolen seems to be caught in a dilemma. All of the themes are important and he wouldn’t want the audience to miss anything. The humor is there, but sometimes gets short shrift as the comedic aspect is downplayed in reverence to the ideas.

[The Arden Theatre Company, 40 North Second Street] January 15-March 2, 2025; ardentheatre.org

90 minutes. No intermission.

Cast: Matteo Scammell, Erin Malimban, Newton Buchanan, Kishia Nixon, Mary Martello, Fred Michael Beam

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