On stage at the Drayton Festival Theatre is one of the organization’s finest musical productions to date.
Million Dollar Quartet tells the story of the coincidental meeting of four musicians that changed the history of rock and roll. Along with the historical significance, audience members catch a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the struggles faced by musicians.
The story takes place in a former auto shop turned recording studio of Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee. The studio considered to be the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll is owned by Sam Phillips. Phillips admitted that his recording business has struggled and on occasion he paid disc jockeys to play his client’s records. Throughout the years, Phillip’s faith in the recording business he created did not waiver.
On Dec. 4, 1956 the Sun recording studio became a part of rock ‘n’ roll history. Present at the studio on this date was unknown musician, Jerry Lee Lewis. Lewis who attempts to showcase his piano playing talents in order to be signed with Sun Records. His antics and musical talents do not impress musician, Carl Perkins, who is struggling to produce a number one song. Elvis Presley and his girlfriend, Dyanne, arrive at the studio and get caught up in accusations from Perkins about the theft of Perkin’s song, Blue Suede Shoes, which Presley made popular.
Later on, Johnny Cash saunters into the studio with something weighing heavy on his mind. After stepping out of the studio and discussing their struggles, the musicians begin to address their individual issues.
Dyanne has the ability to get everyone thinking more sensibly about their careers. Phillips keeps everything in order by sharing the realities of the music industry. Despite the changes each musician plans to make in the future, they come together in an evening filled with banter, competition, laughter and a lot of music. The jam session is recorded in the history books as the greatest jam session and the first and the last time these four musicians played together.
Drayton Entertainment has brought the cream of the crop to the stage with the performers chosen for this production.
No stranger to the Drayton Entertainment stage is Gerrad Everard, who plays Jerry Lee Lewis, with a mix of energy, wit, innocence and humour. Everard’s ability to play the piano with various parts of his body is entertaining. He is true to Lewis’s character and style throughout the performance.
Tyler Check has one other credit under the Drayton Entertainment label. In the Million Dollar Quartet he is cast as Carl Perkins. Check brilliantly portrays Perkins frustration with his career.
Making his debut with Drayton Entertainment is Matt Cage as Presley. Like Everard, Cage stays true to the character, evidenced by the hip swiveling, leg shaking, lip twitching and arm circles made popular by Presley.
Also making his Drayton Entertainment debut is Maxwell Lebeuf as Johnny Cash. Lebeuf is bang on in his portrayal of Cash and dazzles the audience with his deep Cash-like voice.
It’s not an easy task to portray great musicians but the four on stage did not disappoint the audience.
The role of Dyanne played by Laura Mae Nason is a role that affects the outcome of the play. Besides her ability to bring some common sense to the situations at hand, she has musical talents not to be overlooked. Her version of Fever and I Hear You Knocking are top notch.
J. Sean Elliott cast as Sam Phillips, owner of Sun Records, brings forth the character of Phillips in a mature, responsible way. Having performed in numerous roles with Drayton Entertainment, he is no stranger to stage.
Musical additions to the show include Zachary Knowles as Perkins’ brother Jay who is a bass player in Perkins’ band and Scott Carmichael as the character Fluke, playing the drums. Both these musicians play vital roles in the success of the performance through their musical talents.
Set designer, Laurin Kelsey, also a new face at Drayton Entertainment, should be commended for creating a music studio that appeals to the eye. The simplicity of the studio does not distract the audience’s attention from the musicians and the music being performed. The props include a neatly arranged wall of gold records and red topped swivel stools from the 1950s.
Rachel Berchtold, costume designer, fitted each performer with clothing suited to the time period and the musician portrayed. Matt Cage was a definite stand out in his white Elvis attire.
Million Dollar Quartet is a 95-minute performance with no intermission. Be prepared to sing along, clap your hands, snap your fingers and dance to hits including Blue Suede Shoes, Great Balls of Fire, Hound Dog and Whole Lotta Shakin’. Audience members can also enjoy the slower pace of Peace In the Valley and Down by the Riverside. Million Dollar Quartet runs from Aug. 9 to Sept. 2 at the Drayton Festival Theatre.
Tickets are available by calling 519-638-5555 or 1-855-372-9866.
