Theatre Arts grad in Tony-winning musical 'Memphis'
James Monroe Iglehart '98 appears on Broadway again.
- June 15, 2010
James Monroe Iglehart, ’98, was the animated dancer wearing suspenders, stage left, June 15 when the musical “Memphis” won best musical honors during the Tony Awards broadcast.
Iglehart plays the role of “Bobby” in the interracial love story set in 1950s Memphis, with music by Bon Jovi keyboardist David Bryan.
The show also won for Best Book of a Musical by Joe DiPietro, Best Original Score Written for Theatre by DiPietro and David Bryan, and Best Orchestrations by Daryl Waters and Bryan.
This is Iglehart’s second appearance on Broadway in three years. He made his debut as Mitch Mahoney in “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee!” in April 2007 after playing the role in San Francisco’s “Spelling Bee” from March through September 2006 at the Post Street Theatre.
Since graduating from CSUEB, Iglehart he has performed extensively throughout the Bay Area, including as the Demon Barber in “Sweeney Todd” and jazz musician Coalhouse Walker in “Ragtime.”
As a CSUEB student, Iglehart appeared in productions such as “Ain't Misbehavin',” “Jesus Christ Superstar (Jesus),” “Into the Woods (Rapunzel's Prince),” and A “Christmas Carol (Scrooge).”
Theatre and Dance Professor and Chair Tom Hird is not surprised at Iglehart’s success.
“James alwaysperformed at 1,010 percent," Hird said. "I’m not surprised to see him in a show that gives 1,010 percent."
View a to enjoy the acceptance speech for Best Musical and a peformance by the “Memphis” cast, including Iglehart.