Twenty-one hits. Four legends. One stage.
Rehearsals are underway for Drayton Entertainment’s production of the rock musical Million Dollar Quartet.
This musical, based on an iconic moment in music history, will take the stage at the Dunfield Theatre Cambridge from April 11 to May 7.
It sounds like the beginning of a joke: Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis walk into a Memphis recording studio … but in 1956, it really happened.
Based on the greatest jam session in recording history, Million Dollar Quartet is inspired by this fateful recording session, which brought together then-rising star Johnny Cash, unknown Jerry Lee Lewis, veteran musician Carl Perkins, and chart-topper Elvis Presley at Sun Records for the first – and only – time.
“Million Dollar Quartet tells the story of one of the most pivotal moments in rock ‘n’ roll history while also featuring a hit-parade of over 20 classic songs made famous by these four music icons,” Drayton Entertainment artistic director Alex Mustakas said.
Mustakas is at the helm of this production.
The creative team includes music director Konrad Pluta, set designer Laurin Kelsey, costume designer Rachel Berchtold, and lighting designer Jeff JohnstonCollins.
Matt Cage, Tyler Check, Gerrad Everard and Maxwell Theodore LeBeuf make up the Million Dollar Quartet.
Cage is a hip-shaking Elvis Presley who is climbing the charts and quickly becoming the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.
His Elvis look and sound mesmerizes audiences, particularly on songs like Hound Dog and That’s All Right, officials state.
Check is Carl Perkins, the King of Rockabilly and the brains behind Blue Suede Shoes, who is struggling to write his next hit, and bitter about Presley’s decision to cover his signature song so quickly.
Everard is Jerry Lee Lewis, the pioneering Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and noted wild child.
Everard wows audiences in numbers like Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On and Great Balls of Fire, officials state.
LeBeuf is the affable outlaw Johnny Cash, whose star is on the rise.
With his deep voice and gruff demeanor, LeBeuf embodies the man in black singing signature hits like Walk the Line and Folsom Prison Blues with ease.
Drayton Entertainment favourite J. Sean Elliot is Sam Phillips, the engaging record executive who discovered the talent of the four icons and helped launch their careers.
Laura Mae Nason is Dyanne, Elvis Presley’s girlfriend who also has her own set of killer pipes.
Scott Carmichael drums up excitement as Fluke, the percussionist, and Zachary Knowles is the bassist, Brother Jay.
This lightning-paced musical flies by, running 95 minutes straight through without an intermission.
Despite occurring on December 4, 1956, the recording of the Million Dollar Quartet jam session was not released until 1981 in Europe.
In 1990, the recording was released in the United States and become revered as a seminal moment in rock ‘n’ roll history.
Tickets are $46 for adults and $27 for youth under 20 years of age.
Tickets for groups of 20 or more and select discount dates are $37. HST is applicable to all ticket prices.
Tickets may be purchased online at www.draytonentertainment.com, in person at the box office, or by calling 519-621-8000 or toll free 1-855-DRAYTON (372-9866).
