Earlier this week, I was privileged to attend a live preview of the rockin’ good times of the Million Dollar Quartet. Dallas Summer Musicals hosted the event at the Hard Rock Cafe. Surrounded by rock & roll memorabilia, this was a fitting location to see a mini concert featuring ‘Elvis‘, ‘Johnny Cash‘, ‘Jerry Lee Lewis’ and ‘Carl Perkins‘. We had the opportunity to get a small taste of the national tour of the Broadway musical, Million Dollar Quartet.
Inspired by the electrifying true story, Million Dollar Quartet will make its North Texas premiere, presented by Dallas Summer Musicals, at the Music Hall at Fair Park March 6-18, 2012.
The international smash hit musical, Million Dollar Quartet is set on December 4, 1956, when an auspicious twist of fate brought Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley together. Sam Phillips, the “Father of Rock ‘n’ Roll” who was responsible for launching the careers of each icon, brought the four legendary musicians together at the Sun Records storefront studio in Memphis for the first and only time. The resulting evening became known as one of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll jam sessions in history.
Million Dollar Quartet brings that legendary night to life with an irresistible tale of broken promises, secrets, betrayal and celebrations featuring an eclectic score of rock, gospel, R&B and country hits including; “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Fever,” “Sixteen Tons,” “Who Do You Love?,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “Matchbox,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” “Hound Dog,” and more.
The Cast of Million Dollar Quartet
Portraying these icons during the Dallas tour are, Derek Keeling as Johnny Cash, Cody Slaughter as Elvis Presley, Martin Kaye as Jerry Lee Lewis and Lee Ferris as Carl Perkins. Christopher Ryan Grant will play the “Father of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” Sam Phillips. The cast also features Kelly Lamont as Dyanne, and musicians Billy Shaffer (Fluke, drums), and Chuck Zayas (Jay Perkins, bass). Rounding out the company are: Austin Cook, Scott F. Moreau, John Michael Presney, David Sonneborn, Alyssa Marie, and Billy Woodward.
The show is directed by Eric Schaeffer and features a book by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux. The design team includes: Derek McLane (scenic design), Howell Binkley (lighting design), Jane Greenwood (costume design), Kai Harada (sound design) and Chuck Mead (musical arrangements and supervision).
Great Reviews for Million Dollar Quartet
When the Broadway production opened in April 2010, critics and audiences leapt to their feet in unanimous praise. The New York Times called the show, “a buoyant new musical that whips the crowd into a frenzy,” New York Magazine labeled it, “a dazzling raucous spectacle that sounds like a million bucks,” and NY1 called it, “90 minutes of platinum grade entertainment.” The musical continues its successful New York engagement at New World Stages.
Million Dollar Quartet won a Tony Award® for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical and received a Tony Award® nomination for Best Musical and Best Book of a Musical (Colin Escott & Floyd Mutrux). The show received an Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical, a Drama Desk nomination for Outstanding Musical Revue and three Drama League nominations including Distinguished Production of a Musical and Distinguished Performance.
Million Dollar Quartet is produced by Relevant Theatricals, John Cossette Productions, American Pop Anthology and Broadway Across America.
Coming Soon to the Dallas Summer Musicals
LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, RAIN – A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES, MEMPHIS, MAMMA MIA!, PETER PAN, THE ADDAMS FAMILY.
Single ticket prices range from $15-$75. To order priority tickets visit www.Ticketmaster.com and enter code ROCK in the special offers box. Tickets are subject to availability and service charges and handling fees will apply.