PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: A Two-Show Day With Memphis' Derrick Baskin | Playbill

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Photos PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: A Two-Show Day With Memphis' Derrick Baskin Ever wonder about the routine of a Broadway actor on one of those grueling two-performance days? Derrick Baskin, who originated the role of "Gator" in the Broadway production of Memphis, offers Playbill.com readers an exclusive look behind the scenes at a recent day at the theatre.
By Matthew Blank
January 13, 2011

Armed with a digital camera, Baskin snapped everything from his morning routines to pre-show rituals to after-show stage-door encounters.

Here is a two-show day at Memphis with Derrick Baskin:

PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: A Two-Show Day With Memphis' Derrick Baskin

One of us is NOT a dancer. Stretching with Preston Dugger right before a huge dance number.

PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: A Two-Show Day With Memphis' Derrick Baskin

Derrick Baskin, who plays the role of "Gator" in the Tony Award-winning musical Memphis, offers Playbill.com readers an exclusive look at a recent two-show day, from morning wakeup to final bow.

37 PHOTOS
Apparently I take pictures of myself in my sleep. Who knew?
Apparently I take pictures of myself in my sleep. Who knew?
Derrick Baskin
Woke Up. Tested the voice. It's there, so I won't call out of this two-show day.
Woke Up. Tested the voice. It's there, so I won't call out of this two-show day.
Derrick Baskin
What to eat...hmmm....
What to eat...hmmm....
Derrick Baskin
Drinking tea and watching a morning program that I will not mention. "You are NOT the father? What?!"
Drinking tea and watching a morning program that I will not mention. "You are NOT the father? What?!"
Derrick Baskin
Leaving the house. "Oh, yeah! Snow from the sixth biggest blizzard to hit New York City is still on the ground."
Leaving the house. "Oh, yeah! Snow from the sixth biggest blizzard to hit New York City is still on the ground."
Derrick Baskin
Next Slide  
I hope they don't have a matinee. They're not going to make it.
I hope they don't have a matinee. They're not going to make it.
Derrick Baskin
They're definitely NOT making the matinee!
They're definitely NOT making the matinee!
Derrick Baskin
I have good train Karma or "Train-ma!" Barely waited two minutes! Ha!
I have good train Karma or "Train-ma!" Barely waited two minutes! Ha!
Derrick Baskin
Coming up on the theatre.
Coming up on the theatre.
Derrick Baskin
Did I mention <i>Memphis</i> won Best Musical? Well, it did.
Did I mention Memphis won Best Musical? Well, it did.
Derrick Baskin
Whew, just made it for half-hour call.
Whew, just made it for half-hour call.
Derrick Baskin
Janet Takami and Alexis Shorter having a convo about who's gonna call the show.
Janet Takami and Alexis Shorter having a convo about who's gonna call the show.
Derrick Baskin
Pre-show meal consisting of sushi, Japanese BBQ chips and donut holes. Don't judge.
Pre-show meal consisting of sushi, Japanese BBQ chips and donut holes. Don't judge.
Derrick Baskin
Leon the doorman wishing me "break-a-leg" before the show.
Leon the doorman wishing me "break-a-leg" before the show.
Derrick Baskin
Arturo Porazzi, our production stage manager, actually called the first show.
Arturo Porazzi, our production stage manager, actually called the first show.
Derrick Baskin
Clayton Craddock on drums. The heartbeat of <i>Memphis</i>.
Clayton Craddock on drums. The heartbeat of Memphis.
Derrick Baskin
Tyrone Jackon... NOT praying in the prayer circle. Hail Mary....
Tyrone Jackon... NOT praying in the prayer circle. Hail Mary....
Derrick Baskin
One of us is NOT a dancer. Stretching with Preston Dugger right before a huge dance number.
One of us is NOT a dancer. Stretching with Preston Dugger right before a huge dance number.
Derrick Baskin
I decided to let the real dancers dance, while I hang with Ty Lackey and Randy Morrison in the sound department.
I decided to let the real dancers dance, while I hang with Ty Lackey and Randy Morrison in the sound department.
Derrick Baskin
Drilling some sense into our prop-master Noah Pilipski's head.
Drilling some sense into our prop-master Noah Pilipski's head.
Derrick Baskin
Randy blowing what little sweat has accumulated in my mic.
Randy blowing what little sweat has accumulated in my mic.
Derrick Baskin
Me calling "places" for Act 2.
Me calling "places" for Act 2.
Derrick Baskin
Joe DiPietro stopped by to wish us a happy 500th show.
Joe DiPietro stopped by to wish us a happy 500th show.
Derrick Baskin
Cass Morgan and me getting ready to end the first show.
Cass Morgan and me getting ready to end the first show.
Derrick Baskin
Bahiya Gaines stretching before the second show.
Bahiya Gaines stretching before the second show.
Derrick Baskin
Every day, Jim — star dresser — has to endure Chad Kimball warming up. God Bless you, Jim.
Every day, Jim — star dresser — has to endure Chad Kimball warming up. God Bless you, Jim.
Derrick Baskin
Rhett George getting some beauty rest between shows. Sleep on, brotha.
Rhett George getting some beauty rest between shows. Sleep on, brotha.
Derrick Baskin
Producer Randy Adams checking in on the second show.
Producer Randy Adams checking in on the second show.
Derrick Baskin
One of the heads of the production department, Hank Hale, schooling me on how it's done.
One of the heads of the production department, Hank Hale, schooling me on how it's done.
Derrick Baskin
In the candy corner: Dionne Figgins, Tyrone Jackson, Preston Dugger.
In the candy corner: Dionne Figgins, Tyrone Jackson, Preston Dugger.
Derrick Baskin
Bahiya's done warming up, and J. Bernard Calloway is ready to open the show.
Bahiya's done warming up, and J. Bernard Calloway is ready to open the show.
Derrick Baskin
Bryan Langlitz, put some clothes on! Places was already called!! Geez!
Bryan Langlitz, put some clothes on! Places was already called!! Geez!
Derrick Baskin
Me and Jen Allen killing the vocals backstage.
Me and Jen Allen killing the vocals backstage.
Derrick Baskin
Sing choir!! Sang!! Me with Tanya Birl, Todrick Hall and Bahiya Gaines.
Sing choir!! Sang!! Me with Tanya Birl, Todrick Hall and Bahiya Gaines.
Derrick Baskin
Shelton Becton on organ! John Putnam on guitar! George Farmer on bass! Sick!!!!
Shelton Becton on organ! John Putnam on guitar! George Farmer on bass! Sick!!!!
Derrick Baskin
Franc Weinperl getting me ready to end the second show!
Franc Weinperl getting me ready to end the second show!
Derrick Baskin
Day's over. Gettin' some love from a couple of audience members. They really liked the show!!! :-)
Day's over. Gettin' some love from a couple of audience members. They really liked the show!!! :-)
Derrick Baskin
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On Broadway, Baskin originated the roles of Mitch Mahoney in Spelling Bee and Jetsam in The Little Mermaid. Other theatre credits include Mereb in Aida and Adrian in Smokey Joe's Cafe.

*

The rock musical about an interracial love affair in the 1950s segregated South stars Tony Award nominees Chad Kimball and Montego Glover.

Memphis — which won the 2010 Tony Award for Best Musical — also features J. Bernard Calloway, James Monroe Iglehart, Michael McGrath and Cass Morgan. Bon Jovi songwriter and band member David Bryan and DiPietro penned the score.

 

Visit MemphistheMusical.

 
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