Philadelphia-based Arden Theatre Company (40 N. 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106) is bringing audiences together in 2025 with the highly anticipated world premiere of Holy Grail of Memphis, beginning January 16. The comedy, written by Philadelphia-based, award-winning playwright Michael Hollinger, takes audiences on a profound journey of transformation and restoration. Newton Stover II unearths long-lost blues recordings and fights to restore his grandfather’s music studio and fractured family legacy in a tale of redemption, resilience, and the power of the blues. Directed by Terrence J. Nolen, producing artistic director for the Arden, Holy Grail of Memphis unfolds on the Arden’s intimate 175-seat Arcadia Stage with previews beginning January 16, opening night on January 22, with performances through February 23.
Bringing Holy Grail of Memphis to life on the stage are six incredibly talented actors, including Matteo Scammell (he/him), Erin Malimban (she/they), Newton Buchanan (he/him), Kishia Nixon (she/her), Mary Martello (she/her), and Fred Michael Beam (he/him).
Holy Grail of Memphis takes place in present-day Memphis, Tennessee, and the stage design immerses audiences in the atmosphere of a mid-century recording studio, complete with vintage equipment, microphones, mixers, and amplifiers. Amongst the meticulously crafted stage setting, theatergoers are introduced to Newton "Newt" Stover II (Matteo Scammell), a man striving to rebuild his life and preserve his family's legacy after uncovering the long-lost recordings of legendary blues guitarist and singer Alfred "Deaf Duck" Mason (Fred Michael Beam). Mason, who was Deaf, performed throughout the Mississippi Delta for decades, inspiring countless other great Black bluesmen and women, including Mississippi John Hurt, Blind Lemon Jefferson, and Memphis Minnie. The play highlights the rich history behind the origins of the Blues and pays homage to legendary Black blues musicians who paved the way for other future artists of color. With the help of his tech-savvy intern, Lee Hara (Erin Malimban), and Derek Benoit (Newton Buchanan), a scholar, musician, and Newt’s former bandmate, Newton plans to release Mason’s recordings to the public and restore his grandfather’s studio to its former glory. However, the arrival of an unexpected visitor could throw his plans into disarray.
“At its heart, the play is about listening: how we listen, and what we choose to hear. This relates to music, of course, but also to all human interactions, within and across cultural divides,” says Hollinger. “As the characters begin to come into focus, they wind up embodying many cultural divides: between generations, genders, ethnicities, abilities, and geographies. Every combination of these characters produces both friction and the opportunity to listen better and more empathetically. This, I hope, will be part of the takeaway for audiences as they leave the theatre and return to their lives.”
A longtime collaborator with the Arden for more than 30 years, Holy Grail of Memphis will be Hollinger’s tenth world premiere at the Arden. His partnership with the Arden began in 1994 with his first world premiere, An Empty Plate in the Café Du Grand Boeuf, and has since added an impressive roster of additional world premieres, including Incorruptible, Tiny Island, Red Herring, Tooth and Claw, Opus, Ghost-Writer, Under the Skin, and the musical TouchTones. Of the nine world premieres, Hollinger has earned three Barrymore Awards for Outstanding New Play and the F. Otto Haas Award for an Emerging Theatre Artist. Hollinger’s work as a playwright, lyricist, composer, and adaptor has been widely produced across the United States and internationally, with many of his productions translated into multiple languages.
Matteo Scammell (Newton “Newt” Stover II) is well known to Arden audiences for his roles in The BFG (The Big Friendly Giant)(Dad/The BFG), Assassins (Proprietor), A Streetcar Named Desire (Stanley Kowalski), Charlotte’s Web (Lurvy/Templeton), The Legend of Georgia McBride (Casey), Cinderella (Wolfgang), Beauty and the Beast (The Beast) and Hans Brinker and the Silver Skates (Peter Von Holp/Vollenhoven). His regional work includes performances at Theatre Exile, Wilma Theatre, Lantern Theatre Company, Philadelphia Theatre Company, and Walnut Street Theatre.
Fred Michael Beam (Alfred “Deaf Duck” Mason) is an internationally acclaimed Deaf dancer, actor, poet, educator, director, and choreographer making his Arden debut. Regionally, Beam has performed in numerous productions at the Lincoln Center for Performing Arts, the National Theatre of the Deaf, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and SignRise Cultural Theatre. Beam made history back in 1990 by performing in the first Black Deaf play, I Didn’t Hear That Color, and was the first Deaf actor to play the lead role in the Equity play By the Sphere of Music at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago.
Erin Malimban (Lee Hara) is a Filipino-American actor based in West Philadelphia who is making her debut at the Arden. Regionally, Malimban has appeared in roles with The Strides Collective, The Lemonade Stand, and ArtSake Theatre Company.
Newton Buchanan (Derek Benoit), a Philadelphia-based actor, has previously appeared at the Arden in The BFG (Big Friendly Giant) (Guy/Fleshlumpeater/Classmate/Ronald Simkis). Buchanan’s regional work includes roles at New Light Theatre, Delaware Theater Company, Deep Blue Theatre, and Curio Theatre Company. Buchanan has also appeared in the HBO series Mare of Eastown.
Mary Martello (Sheila Wojciechowski, is a five-time Barrymore Award winner who has been an actor for more than 50 years. Martello is well known to Arden audiences for her roles in Gypsy (Rose), Café
Puttanesca (The Baroness), Sweeney Todd (Mrs. Lovett), August: Osage County (Mattie Fae Aiken), and Incorruptible (Peasant Woman). Martello’s regional work includes roles at Walnut Street Theatre, 1812 Productions, Lantern Theatre Company, People’s Light, and the Wilma Theatre.
Kishia Nixon (Gigi Robins) has appeared at the Arden in The BFG (The Big Friendly Giant) (Sam, Bonecruncher, Classmate, Sam Simkins) and Clyde’s (Letitia). Regionally, Nixon has appeared in roles at numerous theatres, including Theatre Exile, Delaware Theatre Company, Act II Playhouse, and the Lantern Theatre Company.
The production design team includes Luciana Stecconi (Set Designer), J. Dominic Chacon (Lighting Designer), Leigh Paradise (Costume Designer), John Stovicek (Sound Designer), and Alec E. Ferrell (Stage Manager).
Holy Grail of Memphis begins January 16, opens January 22, and runs through February 23. The Production Sponsor is Fox Chase Bank Charitable Fund, and the Honorary Producers are Monica and Philip Rosenthal, with Opening Night sponsor Harmelin Media. Additional support from Robert and Risa Lavizzo-Mourey underwrites our ASL interpretation for this production. Single ticket prices vary by performance and start at $37. Tickets are available online at ardentheatre.org, by phone at 215.922.1122, or at the box office at Arden Theatre Company (40 N. 2nd Street).