Julie Johnson Cast in Memphis Tour

Casting for the national tour of the Tony-winning musical Memphis has just been announced, and it includes local favorite Julie Johnson, who'll be playing the role of Mama. Interestingly, that means she won't be playing Mama Rose in Lyric Stage's upcoming full-orchestra production of Gypsy, as was previously announced.

Lyric's founding producer Steven Jones confirms that Mama Rose will now be played by Sue Mathys, a Swiss-born musical theater actress who performed in concert for a Lyric fundraiser in 2009.

More information on Gypsy, which is directed by Len Pfluger and with musical direction by Jay Dias, will be announced soon. The production runs Sept. 9-19 at the Irving Arts Center.

As for Memphis, the national tour kicks off in October in—where else?—Memphis. It will come to Dallas, courtesy of Dallas Summer Musicals, May 15-27, 2012.