MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Memphis the Musical on Broadway won the Tony Award for its music last year. If you get a chance to see the national tour, which began here in the Bluff City, you will understand many people love the dance numbers. They were created by a choreographer whose work is being compared to the legends.

Every great musical combines riveting song and dance. The melodies of Memphis won a Tony Award for composer David Bryan and his colleague Joe DiPietro. The choreography deserves recognition as well.

"The dancers are dancing for their lives in the background," said cast member Felicia Boswell (Felicia Farrell).

"A lot of movement, a lot of lifts, there are some tumbles, flips, a real interesting mix of choreography," added Bryan Fenkart (Huey Calhoun).

The lord of the dance for Memphis the Musical is Columbian-born choreographer Sergio Trujillo. This Canadian trained dancer ought to be relaxed after positive reviews for his work on Broadway plays, such as Jersey Boys, The Addams Family and now this national tour. Trujillo's job is to transport Memphians to Beale Street, a place near by, to a time long past when couples danced and took it seriously.

"This particular show was probably the show I have been most at ease. You know, getting into the room and getting into it," he said. "It's very raw, it's very sensual, it's cultural, it's passionate."

Articles written about Trujillo suggest a Tony Award is in his near future. He calls dancing an instrument.

For Memphis the Musical, his job is make harmony among the steps, spins and twirls of cast to reflect the rhythm of the Bluff City.

"To me I was able to show how to capture the spirit of the city and the energy of the city."

Memphis the Musical is playing at the Orpheum Theatre now until October 23rd. For more information on show times and tickets, call 525-7800 or visit www.orpheum-memphis.com