Million Dollar Quartet MOVES TO THE APOLLO THEATER

 

CHICAGO’S HIT ROCK ‘N’ ROLL MUSICAL

Million Dollar Quartet

MOVES TO THE APOLLO THEATER

 

BY POPULAR DEMAND, PRODUCTION TRANSFERS TO THE APOLLO

ON OCTOBER 31 FOR AN EXTENDED RUN THROUGH JANUARY 4, 2009

 

 

Million Dollar Quartet, the new musical inspired by the famed 1956 recording session that brought together legendary rock ‘n’ roll icons Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley, will move to the Apollo Theater at 2540 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, immediately following the conclusion of its limited engagement at the Goodman’s Owen Theatre.  Performances in the Owen continue through October 26, 2008; preview performances at the Apollo Theater begin Friday, October 31, 2008. The official Apollo opening is Wednesday, November 5, 2008, at 7:30 p.m.. Tickets for the Apollo run are currently on sale through January 4, 2009. 

 

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,” “Ghost Riders,” 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. 

 

“We are thrilled to announce we are extending our run in Chicago,” said Gigi Pritzker and John Cossette, co-producers of Million Dollar Quartet.  “It was always our hope that Chicago audiences would love this show. From the very first preview performance, the response has been overwhelmingly positive, exceeding our expectations and confirming our hopes.”

 

Directed by Eric Schaeffer and Floyd Mutrux, with a book by Floyd Mutrux and Colin Escott, Million Dollar Quartet is produced by Dee Gee Theatricals and John Cossette Productions.

 

 

Million Dollar Quartet features a stellar group of performers, equally adept as musicians and actors. The Chicago production stars Levi Kreis as Jerry Lee Lewis; Lance Guest as Johnny Cash; Rob Lyons as Carl Perkins; and Eddie Clendening as Elvis Presley. Chicago’s own Brian McCaskill will play the “Father of Rock ’n’ Roll” Sam Phillips, and Chicago-based actress Kelly Lamont will play Elvis’ girlfriend Dyanne.

 

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.

 

 

Tickets to Million Dollar Quartet at the Apollo Theatre are currently on sale and available through the Apollo Theater box office, 2540 N. Lincoln Ave, (773) 935-6100.  Tickets are available online through Ticketmaster, www.ticketmaster.com.   Previews (October 31-November 4) are $25 and $49.50.  Tickets for the regular run are $25-$64.50. 

 

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. The Thanksgiving week schedule is as follows: Tuesday, November. 25 at 7:30 p.m.; Wednesday, November 26 at 2 p.m.; no show Thursday, November 27; Friday, November 28 at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.; Saturday, November 26, at 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. and Sunday at 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

 

The remaining performance schedule for Million Dollar Quartet in the Owen Theatre at Goodman Theatre through Oct. 26 is as follows: Tuesdays through Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.; Fridays at 8 p.m.; Saturdays at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 and 6 p.m.  For tickets to the Owen Theatre run, call the Goodman Theatre box office at (312) 443-3800 or visit goodmantheatre.org.

 

Discounted tickets for groups are available by calling Group Theater Tix at (312) 423-6612, or by visiting www.grouptheatertix.com.

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