Alumnus wins Tony Award

Monday, June 21, 2010

Randy Adams, a musical producer and University alumnus, earned a Tony Award for his work on the Broadway musical “Memphis” on June 13.

“We were just thrilled to be nominated, especially since there were 10 new musicals this year,” Adams said. “It was all pretty surreal.”

“Memphis,” a rock-and-roll story about crossing racial boundaries through music in 1950s Tennessee, was nominated for eight Tony awards and won four, including Best New Musical, Best Score, Best Book and Best Orchestrations. Adams accepted the award for Best New Musical on behalf of the cast and crew.

Adams earned his master’s degree in directing from the University in 1980. During his time at the University, Adams worked as a house and box office manager at the University’s theatre department. He was also an actor in the show “Poor Murderer” and directed “The Little Foxes” as part of his master’s program at the University. After graduation, Adams worked throughout the country developing more than 200 musicals. In 2006, he began Junkyard Dog Productions, which works to develop and produce new musicals. Adams said “Memphis” had been in development since 2002 and gradually improved after multiple revisions.

“There’s the whole process of pulling it together and watching the growth as the writers and creative team work along the way, and each time it just keeps getting better. We went through four developments before we got here, and made even more changes during the previews for Broadway. It’s a great collaborative process,” Adams said.

Charla Jenkins, director of public relations at the University’s theater department, said Adams has remained a strong supporter of the University throughout his years of musical success. Jenkins said Adams was always willing to lend a helping hand to students leaving Kansas with the hopes of making it big in New York City.

“He is incredibly supportive and is always willing to talk with students,” Jenkins said. “He’ll even take them to lunch.”

Adams serves as part of the University’s Department of Theatre’s Professional Advisory Board. Junkyard Dog Productions partner Sue Frost said Adams’ willingness to give back to those breaking into the business was a strong commonality they share.

“Randy is probably the most positive human being I’ve ever worked with,” Frost said. “He just has a real joy for what he does. He’s great with writers, great with staff, great with investors, you name it,” Frost said. “And he’s very generous. We both feel strongly that there’s a responsibility to give back to others.”

Adams said he planned to take a break before beginning his next musical venture, but was excited about future projects.

“You just never know who you’re going to meet or what may happen next,” Adams said.

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