Today Wednesday, January 26, Kathie Lee Gifford joined the cast of Million Dollar Quartet on stage for a special "Sitting in with the Band" performance. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the photo op and brings you photo coverage below.
On December 4, 1956, an auspicious twist of fate brought Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Elvis Presley together. The place was Sun Records' storefront studio in Memphis. The man who made it happen was Sam Phillips, the "Father of Rock and Roll," who discovered them all. The four young musicians united for the only time in their careers for an impromptu recording that has come to be known as one of the greatest rock jam sessions of all time.
Inspired by the actual event, Million Dollar Quartet features a treasure trove of the greatest rock and roll, gospel, R&B and country hits from these musicians, including such iconic songs as "Blue Suede Shoes," "Fever," "Sixteen Tons," "Who Do You Love?," "Great Balls of Fire," "Riders in the Sky," "I Walk the Line," "Folsom Prison Blues," and "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On." Million Dollar Quartet captures the infectious spirit, freewheeling excitement and thrilling sounds of a singular moment when four of the music industry's most extraordinary talents, all in their creative prime, came together for one of the most memorable nights in music history.
Million Dollar Quartet opened on Sunday, April 11, 2010.
In addition, to Kreis' Tony® for Best Featured Actor in a Musical, Million Dollar Quartet received Tony nominations 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 (Levi Kreis), a Drama Desk Nomination for Outstanding Musical Revue and three Drama League Nominations including Distinguished Production of a Musical and Distinguished Performance (Lance Guest & Levi Kreis).
Million Dollar Quartet is directed by Eric Schaeffer and features a book by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux. The design team for Broadway 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 is produced by Relevant Theatricals, John Cossette Productions, American Pop Anthology, Broadway Across America, and James L. Nederlander.
The Chicago production of Million Dollar Quartet opened in 2008 and is still playing to packed houses at the Apollo Theatre. An upcoming national tour will launch next season and a London production will open at the Noël Coward Theatre on February 28, 2011 with previews beginning February 8, 2011.
Follow Million Dollar Quartet news on Twitter @milliondquartet and on Facebook
Tickets for Million Dollar Quartet are available online www.TicketMaster.com, by calling 212-307-4100, or by visiting the Nederlander Box Office (208 West 41st Street).
Million Dollar Quartet's performance schedule is Tuesday and Wednesday at 7 PM, Thursday through Saturday at 8 PM. Matinees Wednesday and Saturday at 2:30 PM and Sunday at 3 PM.
For more information, visit www.MillionDollarQuartetLive.com
Photo Credit: Kevin Thomas Garcia
