MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET Announces New Chicago Cast

Million Dollar Quartet has announces its new Chicago cast: Emmy® Award-winning actor David Lago (Elvis Presley), accomplished musician/performer Lance Lipinsky (Jerry Lee Lewis), Chicago musician and actor Gabe Bowling (Carl Perkins), and Jeff Award nominee Sean Sullivan (Johnny Cash). The cast also includes Tim Decker ("Father of Rock 'n' Roll" Sam Phillips) and original Chicago cast members Kelly Lamont (Elvis' girlfriend Dyanne), Billy Shaffer (Fluke/Drummer) and Chuck Zayas (Jay Perkins/Bass). The new cast will begin performances on February 3, 2010.

Following a successful 15-month-long run in Chicago, actors Eddie Clendening (Elvis Presley), Lance Guest (Johnny Cash), Levi Kreis (Jerry Lee Lewis) and Rob Lyons (Carl Perkins) will open Million Dollar Quartet on Broadway at the Nederlander Theatre, 208 W. 41st Street, with previews beginning March 13, 2010, and opening April 11, 2010.

Million Dollar Quartet today announces an extension of the Chicago production at the Apollo Theater, 2540 N. Lincoln Ave. The new block of tickets for performances through May 30, 2010, will be on sale Friday, January 22, 2010. Tickets are available through the Apollo Theater box office, 2540 N. Lincoln Ave, (773) 935-6100, and online through Ticketmaster, www.ticketmaster.com.

"Million Dollar Quartet's run thus far in Chicago has been spectacular. In fact, our audiences have been growing steadily and the feedback we receive about the fascinating story, rockin' music and excellent musicianship never ceases," comments Producer John Cossette.

Producer Gigi Pritzker adds, "We are so pleased to be opening this amazing show on Broadway with its original Chicago quartet. Eddie, Lance, Levi and Rob have been working hard these past 15 months to bring the story, music and characters alive. We are confident in the new Chicago cast members and are thrilled that the show will be playing simultaneously in New York and Chicago."

Emmy Award-winning actor David Lago (Elvis Presley) celebrates more than a decade of achievement in the entertainment industry with five Emmy® nominations, in addition to his Emmy® win for his portrayal of "Raul" on the number one rated CBS soap opera, The Young and the Restless in 2005. Lago is also recognized for his recurring role of "Jeremy" on the Aaron Spelling television show 7th Heaven. The Cuban-American actor has starred in and/or produced several independent films over the past five years.

Lance Lipinsky (Jerry Lee Lewis), a Texas native, grew up studying his dad's record collection of Elvis, Roy Orbison, and his hero, Jerry Lee Lewis. These influences never left him and now, at age 24, he combines these styles in his own original music similar to early Rock & Roll, classic Country and even a touch of 1960's pop. His energetic live shows have led him all over the world, even to making his national television debut at the original Ryman Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN. Visit www.lancelipinsky.com for updates on his first album recording, which with use all analog equipment to emulate the timeless 1960's sound.

Gabe Bowling (Carl Perkins) has been an understudy for Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley during the Chicago run of Million Dollar Quartet. A Wisconsin native, he has toured nationally as a musician and is currently the lead guitarist for the rock band Fat J and The Pinners, and has his own side project, Gabe vs. The Sad Kids.

Sean Sullivan (Johnny Cash) was nominated for a Jeff Award for Best Principle Role for Shattered Globe's Requiem for a Heavyweight. Originally from Ohio, he has been working in Chicago since 2002, where he has appeared at TimeLine in Fiorello! and The Children's Hour; Lifeline Theatre in The Island of Dr Moreau; and BackStage Theatre Co., where he is an ensemble member and designer.

Longtime Chicago actor Tim Decker stars in the role of Sam Phillips. He has appeared at Chicago Shakespeare, Goodman, Next, Milwaukee Rep, Touchstone, Shattered Globe, Stage Left, Famous Door, American Theatre Company, and American Blues (where he received a Principal Actor Jeff Award for his work in Toys in the Attic), among others.

Kelly Lamont, playing Elvis' girlfriend Dyanne, is a native of Chicago's south suburbs. She previously appeared at the Utah Shakespeare Festival, Milwaukee Shakespeare and L.A.'s Fullerton Civic Light Opera, among others.

Billy Shaffer (Fluke, Drummer) lives in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago and has been active in the Chicago blues scenes, playing upwards of 130 nights per year prior to his role in Million Dollar Quartet. He has played locally with notable Chicago musicians and has toured with Grand Ole Opry artists Billy Walker and Ferlin Husky.

Chuck Zayas (Jay Perkins, Bass player) has been performing on stage for more than 20 years as a bass player, singer, songwriter, band leader, sideman session player and producer. He has played rockabilly bass in Rocket 88 and is the frontman for his most recent project, The Midnight Ramblers. He performed with Million Dollar Quartet in the Seaside production and is an original Chicago cast member.

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 'n' Roll," who discovered them all. The four legends-to-be 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.

Featuring a treasure trove of the greatest rock 'n' roll, gospel, R&B and country hits from these music legends, including "Blue Suede Shoes," "Fever," "Sixteen Tons," "Who Do You Love?," "Great Balls of Fire," "Riders in the Sky," 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. The production has recently added new, hit songs, including "Folsom Prison Blues," "I Walk the Line," and "Hound Dog."

Directed by Eric Schaeffer and Floyd Mutrux, with a book by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux. Million Dollar Quartet is produced by Relevant Theatricals, John Cossette Productions and Northern Lights Inc.

Million Dollar Quartet had its world premiere at Florida's Seaside Music Theatre, and was subsequently staged at the Village Theatre in Washington, breaking box office records. In Chicago, the production moved to the Apollo on November 5, 2008, following its sold-out, limited engagement at the Goodman's Owen Theatre. The Broadway production of Million Dollar Quartet will play at the Nederlander Theatre, 208 W. 41st Street, with previews beginning March 13, 2010. Million Dollar Quartet has recently been extended and tickets are currently on sale through May 30, 2010. Tickets to Million Dollar Quartet at the Apollo Theater are available through the Apollo Theater box office, 2540 N. Lincoln Ave, (773) 935-6100. Tickets are available online through Ticketmaster, www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets for the regular run are $25-$70. Rush student tickets are available 2 hours before each performance for $20 with valid student ID.

For groups of 15 or more contact Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at 312-977-1710 or groupsales@broadwayinchicago.com.

The Apollo performance schedule is as follows: Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.; Fridays at 8:00 p.m.; Saturdays at 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.; and Sundays at 3:30 and 6:30 p.m.

Million Dollar Quartet will offer special family discounts at the 6:30 p.m. shows on select Sundays. Upcoming family nights are January 24, February 21 and March 21, 2010.

Tickets to Million Dollar Quartet Family Nights are buy one, get one free. (One child under 17 will be admitted free with each adult ticket purchase.) The evenings will feature giveaways with special gifts from Million Dollar Quartet. Check www.milliondoallarquartetlive.com for upcoming Family Nights.

Million Dollar Quartet is a 90-minute, family-friendly production. Audience members of all ages are invited to laugh, clap-and even dance-during the show.

For more show information, visit www.milliondollarquartetlive.com.

Director Eric Schaeffer is the acclaimed co-founder and artistic director of the Signature Theatre in Arlington, VA, where his work has been honored with numerous Helen Hayes Awards including Outstanding Direction. He directed Putting it Together and Glory Days on Broadway, the first national tour of big, The Musical, and the West End debut of The Witches of Eastwick. He also served as artistic director for the Kennedy Center's recent Sondheim Celebration.

Floyd Mutrux is also the co-author of the book to Million Dollar Quartet, sharing writing credits with noted Grammy® Award-winning author and music historian Colin Escott. Mutrux has written, directed or produced numerous films, including the classic biopic of early rock 'n' roll American Hot Wax, Dick Tracy and Mulholland Falls. Escott, the author of numerous books including Good Rockin' Tonight - Sun Records and the Birth of Rock 'n' Roll, was awarded a Grammy® for producing The Complete Hank Williams, and was nominated for a Grammy for producing B.B. King - King of the Blues.

Musical Director Chuck Mead, with multiple hit records, has stood at the forefront of the alternative country music explosion as founder and lead singer of BR549, the three-time Grammy® Award nominated country band.

Relevant Theatricals (Producer) is a commercial Production Company headed by Gigi Pritzker and Ted Rawlins, dedicated to developing new work for the stage. Current projects include: F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, which premiered at the Guthrie Theatre and is on course to open in London next year; Snapshots, a new musical with book by David Stern and music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz; and a new musical version of Dennis The Menace. Relevant's sister company, Odd Lot Entertainment, develops and produces outstanding new film properties. Current Productions include the feature "Rabbit Hole," based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by David Lindsay-Abaire, starring Nicole Kidman and Dianne Wiest, and directed by John Cameron Mitchell. Relevant Theatricals is proud to be part of the producing team that developed Million Dollar Quartet.

John Cossette's (Producer) more than 30-year career in the entertainment and music industry has earned him a respected reputation as an innovative and creative producer of large scale television shows and events. With John Cossette Productions, Cossette has produced The Grammy® Awards for the past 17 years and is the Consulting Producer on The Latin Grammy® Awards. Cossette also produces five annual event specials for BET, including The BET Awards, which have become the premier event in Urban Music. Cossette has spearheaded a variety of corporate marketing events. At the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Cossette produced a series of 20 concerts for AT&T, which were attended by more than 2.5 million people. Cossette helped launch the American Express Blue Card with "Central Park In Blue with Sheryl Crow & Friends" featuring Eric Clapton, Keith Richards and The Dixie Chicks, among others. Among his numerous additional producing credits, Cossette is heavily involved in a number of charitable events. The winner of two NAACP Image Awards, Cossette has produced benefits for the House Ear Institute, The Concern Foundation for Cancer Research, MusicCares, The NARAS Foundation and the Society of Singers. He also helps to underwrite the E.J. Jackson Foundation to feed the homeless in South Central L.A., helping to feed over 15,000 people on Thanksgiving.

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