Stage Door News
Stage Door News
Twenty-one hits! Four legends! One stage! Rehearsals are now underway for Drayton Entertainment’s much-anticipated production of the hit rock musical Million Dollar Quartet. This electrifying 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,” says Alex Mustakas, Artistic Director. “It’s a nonstop, high energy rock ‘n’ roll juggernaut that audiences can’t get enough of.”
Having directed successful music tribute productions like Legends of Rock ‘n’ Roll and Twist & Shout: The British Invasion, amongst others, it’s no surprise that Mustakas is at the helm of this powerhouse production. Last fall, Mustakas directed an acclaimed production of Million Dollar Quartet at Stage West Calgary (“Million Dollar Quartet Sounds Like a Million Bucks!” pronounced The Calgary Sun).
That same Creative Team and roster of performers have once again assembled for the upcoming Drayton Entertainment production including 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. Winner of Ontario’s Collingwood Elvis Festival, the largest Elvis festival in the world, Cage is an internationally renowned Elvis tribute artist. His impeccable Elvis look and sound mesmerizes audiences, particularly on songs like “Hound Dog” and “That’s All Right.”
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. Check has appeared in numerous musicals across Canada including Forever Plaid and Spamalot.
Everard is Jerry Lee Lewis, the pioneering Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and noted wild child. Everard, who brushed up on his piano skills for the role, wows audiences in numbers like "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On” and “Great Balls of Fire”. Theatregoers may remember Everard from his performances as Mick Jagger in Drayton Entertainment’s productions of Twist and Shout: The British Invasion and Legends of Rock 'n' Roll.
LeBeuf is the affable outlaw Johnny Cash, whose star is on the rise. With his deep voice and gruff demeanour, 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. Audiences may remember Elliot from such past Drayton Entertainment productions as The Odd Couple, The Affections of May, Murder at the Best Western, Moon Over Buffalo, Fiddler on the Roof, Anything Goes, and Me & My Girl.
Laura Mae Nason is Dyanne, Elvis Presley’s girlfriend who just happens to have her own set of killer pipes. She’s a familiar face at Drayton Entertainment after performing in Legends…of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Canadian Legends and Sister Act.
Scott Carmichael drums up excitement as Fluke, the percussionist, and Zachary Knowles is the bassist, Brother Jay.
“Audiences are going to be blown away by the calibre of talent on stage,” says Mustakas.
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.
The stage adaptation of Million Dollar Quartet is written by Floyd Mutrux and Colin Escott. The musical opened on Broadway in 2010 followed by productions in Las Vegas and London’s West End and a U.S. National Tour.
Million Dollar Quartet is proudly sponsored by Cambridge Hearing Centre and Commercial Print-Craft Ltd. Media Sponsors are 1460 CJOY, Magic 106.1, and Forever Young Information. The Design Sponsors are Tiny Cakes and the YMCAs of Cambridge & Kitchener-Waterloo. The 2017 Season Media Sponsor is CTV.
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).
Photo: Gerrad Everard, Tyler Check, Matt Cage and Maxwell Theodore Lebeuf. ©2017 John Watson.
2017-03-29
Cambridge: Drayton Entertainment presents "Million Dollar Quartet" April 11-May 7