Character guide
Felicia Farrell
from Memphis
Felicia Farrell is the female lead of Memphis, the 2009 Broadway musical with music by David Bryan.
- Show
- Memphis
- Broadway premiere
- 2009
- Role
- Lead
- Music by
- David Bryan
Who is Felicia Farrell?
Felicia is a talented Black singer performing in her brother Delray's Beale Street club in early 1950s Memphis, dreaming of a bigger career at a time when opportunities for Black performers were sharply limited. When Huey Calhoun hears her sing, he falls for both her voice and her, setting off a romance that carries real risk in a segregated city.
As Felicia's career grows, she must weigh her love for Huey against the danger their relationship brings and her own ambitions as an artist, leading her toward difficult choices about her future. Her journey gives the show much of its emotional and dramatic weight alongside Huey's.
Felicia's role in Memphis
Felicia is a lead role built around powerful rhythm and blues vocals, including her showcase number Colored Woman, which demands both vocal power and dramatic conviction. The role requires an actress who can chart Felicia's growth from club singer to a woman claiming her own career on her own terms.
Montego Glover originated the role on Broadway in 2009 and earned a Tony Award nomination for her performance. Felicia is remembered for grounding the show's love story in real stakes, giving Memphis's romance a weight beyond typical musical theatre courtship.
Felicia Farrell: frequently asked questions
What show is Felicia Farrell from?
Felicia Farrell is a lead character in Memphis, which opened on Broadway in 2009.
Is Felicia Farrell a lead or supporting role?
Felicia Farrell is a lead role and the show's female protagonist.
Who wrote the music for Memphis?
David Bryan composed the music, with lyrics by Bryan and Joe DiPietro.
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