Broadway musical 'Million Dollar Quartet' hits the local stage

MORRISTOWN — The national tour of the Broadway musical Million Dollar Quartet, inspired by the electrifying true story, will be performed Jan. 17 and 18 at Mayo Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $39 to $69.

The international Tony Award-Winning musical, Million Dollar Quartet is set on Dec. 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, gathered the four legendary musicians 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 night to life with a tale of broken promises, secrets, betrayal and celebrations featuring timeless hits including "Blue Suede Shoes," "Ring of Fire," "That's All Right," "Sixteen Tons," "Great Balls of Fire," "I Walk the Line," "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On," "See Ya Later, Alligator," "Fever," "Folsom Prison Blues," "Hound Dog" and more.

Portraying these icons are, James Barry as Carl Perkins, John Countryman as Jerry Lee Lewis, Tyler Hunter as Elvis Presley and Scott Moreau as Johnny Cash. Vince Nappo plays the "Father of Rock 'n' Roll," Sam Phillips. The cast also features Kelly Lamont as Dyanne, and musicians Patrick Morrow (Fluke, drums) and Corey Kaiser (Jay Perkins, bass). Rounding out the company are: Katie Barton, Andrew Frace, Robby Kipferl, Sean McGibbon, David Sonneborn, and H. Bradley Waters.

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).

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, James L. Nederlander, John Cossette Productions, American Pop Anthology and Broadway Across America. More information is available at www.MillionDollarQuartetLive.com.