MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, the smash-hit musical that will resume performances this Thursday at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street), announces that Michael Sherman of Chicago, IL has won the show's online casting contest "Do You Have What It Takes?"
Sherman recorded a version of the iconic Jerry Lee Lewis song "Great Balls of Fire" and received over 25% of the total votes cast. Overall, the contest received 103 total video submissions with a cumulative a total of over 90,000 views.
Sherman will receive roundtrip airfare to New York to audition for the MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET team including a representative from Telsey + Co, the show's casting company. In addition, he will receive hotel accommodations at Flatotel, tickets to the New York production of MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, and other prizes.
MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET will resume performances this Thursday, July 28 at New World Stages. When it opened last year, critics and audiences leapt to their feet. The New York Times called the show, "a buoyant new musical that whips the crowd into a frenzy," New York Magazine said it is, "a dazzling raucous spectacle that sounds like a million bucks," and NY1 called it, "90 minutes of platinum grade entertainment." The musical recently wrapped up a run of over 500 performances in preparation for the transfer to New World Stages, the home of other Broadway musical hits such as Avenue Q and Rent.
The show won a Tony Award and Outer Critics Circle Award and received Tony nominations for Best Musical and Best Book of a Musical, a Drama Desk nomination for Outstanding Musical Revue and three Drama League nominations including Distinguished Production of a Musical and two Distinguished Performance nominations.
In addition to the New York production, 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 in October in Cleveland, and a West End production is currently playing at the Noël Coward Theatre in London.
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 electrifying true story, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET brings that legendary night to life, an inspired tale of broken promises, secrets, betrayal and celebrations featuring 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 is directed by
Eric Schaeffer and features a book by
Colin Escott and
Floyd Mutrux. The design team for the New York production 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, and
Broadway Across America.
For more information about MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, visit
www.MillionDollarQuartetLive.com.
Follow MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET news on Twitter @milliondquartet and on Facebook.
Tickets for MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET are available at www.Telecharge.com, by calling 212-239-6200 , or by visiting the New World Stages Box Office (340 West 50th Street). All ticket prices are $89.50.
Beginning Thursday, July 28 - MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET's performance schedule at New World Stages will be Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8 PM, and Sundays at 7 PM. Matinees are Wednesday and Saturday at 2:30 PM and Sunday at 3 PM.
