Million Dollar Quartet, Broadway's new hit musical, is pleased to announce that Wanda Jackson, the "Queen of Rockabilly," will join the cast of the Tony nominated Best Musical for a special performance during the finale of the Thursday evening, January 20 performance at the Nederlander Theatre (208 West 41st Street).
Jackson, a 2009 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, first gained national attention with her 1958 recording of "Let's Have a Party," a tune she made into a hit of her own even after one-time boyfriend
Elvis Presley had released a version of it. She's been a pioneer in rockabilly, rock and roll, country, and gospel music. Her latest album, The Party Ain't Over, which she recorded with guitarist-vocalist-White Stripes founder
Jack White, will be released January 25 on Third Man/Nonesuch Records.
The cast of
Million Dollar Quartet features
Eddie Clendening (
Elvis Presley),
Lance Guest (
Johnny Cash), Tony Award® winner
Levi Kreis (Jerry
Lee Lewis),
Jared Mason (
Carl Perkins),
James Moye (Sam Phillips), and
Elizabeth Stanley (Dyanne).
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.
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.
For more information about
Million Dollar Quartet, visit
www.MillionDollarQuartetLive.com.
Follow
Million Dollar Quartet news on Twitter @milliondquartet and on Facebook.
TICKET INFORMATION:
Tickets for
Million Dollar Quartet are available online
www.TicketMaster.com, by calling 877-250-2929, or by visiting the Nederlander Box Office (208 West 41st Street).
Million Dollar Quartet's performance schedule is Tuesday at 7PM, Wednesday through Saturday at 8PM. Matinees on Wednesday and Saturday at 2PM and Sunday at 3PM.
NEW REGULAR PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE (BEGINNING MONDAY, JANUARY 3) 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.
