Scene from “Million Dollar Quartet” at Paper Mill Playhouse; Photo by Jerry Dalia
Review of Million Dollar Quartet
If 50’s rock and roll is your passion, then you will want to go to see Million Dollar Quartet playing through April 23, 2017 at Millburn’s Paper Mill Playhouse. The show is filled with classic rock music with a story that shows a kinder, gentler time in the music industry. It was a time when a musician with a song to sing could be heard by a top record executive and signed to a label. Once on the label they got help getting their career off the ground. No youtube or social media to publicize a new talent. Instead the goal was getting their record heard on the radio.
The production Million Dollar Quartet at the Paper Mill is outright fun to see. It features an outstanding cast and musicians who bring the story to life. The book is by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux, with the original concept by Mr. Mutrux, inspired by Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins. The show is directed by Hunter Foster, a member of the Broadway cast who originated the role of Sam Phillips. Mr. Hunter has mounted several productions of Million Dollar Quartet around the country in addition to this one. The music direction by James Barry.
The story is set in the Sun Records studio in Memphis, Tennessee on a Tuesday night in December, 1956 shortly before Christmas. It is based on a actual situation that occurred when four of the early rock’n’rollers affliated with Sun all returned on the same day. These four stars are Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins. Each launched their careers at Sun Records. Now, they are all in different stages of their careers but feel a debt of gratitude towards owner Sam Phillips for his work on their behalf. This get together occurs the year after Phillips sold Elvis Presley’s contract to RCA records for a mere $40,000. Big money at the time though needed so that he could keep Sun Records open. Throughout the musical, Phillips attempts to make decisions as to whether or not he should continue to keep his company open or fold it and go with a larger record label.
When a jam session with all four of these men begins, Phillips decides to tape what was happening. That scene occurs towards the end of the show when an photo of the real life Presley, Cash, Lewis, and Perkins displays on the stage. It is pretty exciting to be an audience member who sits and watches this take place. A sense of tribute for the glory of the rock of that era comes through thanks to the performances of a very fine cast. That cast includes James Barry as Carl Perkins, James Loughlin as Sam Phillips, Scott Moreau as Johnny Cash, Jake Rowley as Elvis Presley, David Sonneborn as Fluke, Bligh Voth as Dyanne, Sam Weber as Brother Jay, and Nat Zegree as Jerry Lee Lewis.
In addition to the jam session, songs made famous by each member of the “quartet” are presented. You will rock out to classics like Johnny Cash’s “Walk the Line,” Elvis Presley’s “Hound Dog,” Carl Perkin’s “Blue Suede Shoes,” and Jerry Lee Lewis’ “All Shook Up.” There is also a fabulous performance of “Fever” sung by the character Dyanne who is Elvis’ current love interest.
Original scenic design is by Derek McLane with additional design by Kelly James Tighe, original costume design by Molly Walz with additional design by China Lee, lighting design by Ryan O’Gara, sound design by Randy Hansen and hair & wig design by Leah Loukas. The production stage manager is Frank Lombardi.
About the show:
Running Time:
Location: Paper Mill Playhouse, 22 Brookside Drive, Millburn, NJ
Performances: Limited run through Sunday, April 23, 2017. The show is performed eight times a week, Wednesday through Sunday. Performance schedule: Wednesday at 7:30pm, Thursday at 1:30pm and 7:30pm, Friday at 8:00pm, Saturday at 1:30pm and 8:00pm and Sunday at 1:30pm and 7:00pm.
Contact for Info and Tickets: Tickets may be purchased by calling 973.376.4343, at the Paper Mill Playhouse Box Office or online at www.PaperMill.org. Students may order $20 rush tickets over the phone or in person at the Paper Mill Playhouse box office on the day of the performance.
Free Audience Enrichment Activities:
- The Conversation Club: Thursday evenings, April 6, 13, or 20, one hour before curtain for an informal, informative gathering. You’ll learn more about the performance you’re about to see and perhaps catch a glimpse of the stage being set.
- Q&A with the Cast: After the matinee on Saturday, April 22, stick around for a lively Q&A with cast members directly following the performance.
- Audio-described performances are on Saturday, April 22, 2017 at 1:30pm and Sunday, April 23, 2017 at 1:30pm. Prior to these performances at noon, the theater will offer free sensory seminars. Sensory seminars offer an opportunity for patrons with vision loss to hear a live, in-depth description of the production elements of the show and hands-on interaction with key sets, props, and costumes.
- A sign-interpreted and open-captioned performance will be on Sunday, April 23, 2017 at 7:00 pm.