Hunter Foster Helms Starry MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, Starting Tonight at Ogunquit Playhouse

The Ogunquit Playhouse brings back the most popular show in its history, the Tony Award-winning musical Million Dollar Quartet, on stage tonight, October 5, through November 6.

This high voltage rock 'n roll show, with book by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux, is inspired by the electrifying true story of the famed recording session that brought together music icons Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins for one of the greatest jam sessions of all time.

Featuring timeless hits such as "Blue Suede Shoes," "Great Balls of Fire," "I Walk the Line," "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On," "Fever," "Folsom Prison Blues," "Hound Dog" and more, this thrilling musical brings audiences inside the recording studio with four major talents who came together as a red-hot rock 'n' roll band for one unforgettable night. The 2015 Ogunquit Playhouse production wowed audiences and critics alike.

The smash-hit sensation features an incredible score of rock 'n' roll, gospel, R&B and country hits, performed live onstage by world-class actors who play their own instruments, as well as sing and perform. Returning as the energetic Jerry Lee Lewis is Nat Zegree, who had audiences jumping to their feet with excitement in the 2015 production. Over the last year he has performed at Arena Stage Company in the brand new Pasek and Paul musical Dear Evan Hansen and recently performed multiple sold out concerts at 54 Below, The Laurie Beechman, and Don't Tell Mama's in New York City.

Scott Moreau is also returning to the Ogunquit stage to once again play Johnny Cash. He recently performed the role in Million Dollar Quartet at Harrah's Casino in Las Vegas and in the first National Tour. Mr. Moreau has also performed in National Tour of A Christmas Carol as well as many regional theatres throughout the U.S. in such shows as Ring Of Fire, Johnny Guitar, Mary Poppins, Oliver!, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Ragtime. He has also appeared as Young Jim Neary in the series finale of HBO's "Boardwalk Empire."

Making his debut at the Ogunquit Playhouse as Carl Perkins is James Barry. Mr. Barry has performed on Broadway in Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson as well as the National Tour of Million Dollar Quartet. His many New York and regional theatre credits include Pump Boys & Dinettes, These Paper Bullets and The Buddy Holly Story.

Joining the cast as Elvis Presley is Beau Cassidy who is also making his Ogunquit Playhouse debut. He is the third member of his family to perform at the historic theatre; his uncle Shaun Cassidy appeared on stage in 1982 and his grandfather Jack Cassidy in 1973. His regional theatre credits include A Hatful of Rain, Proof and The Wedding Singer, and he has appeared on television's The Voice. He was most recently seen as Mickey Johnston at Feinstein's/54 Below's concert of Willy Russell's Blood Brothers. Mr. Cassidy is also an accomplished songwriter, penning multiple charted pop songs.

The role of Sam Phillips is played by Jason Loughlin who is also returning after playing the role in the 2015 production at Ogunquit Playhouse. Mr. Loughlin was most recently in The Audience with Helen Mirren on Broadway. His other recent credits include the Broadway production of Machinal directed by Lyndsey Turner and the National Tour of War Horse as Major Nichols.

Bligh Voth also returns from the 2015 production to play Elvis' girlfriend Dyanne in the production after spending last year playing Dyanne regionally and internationally. She has performed in regional theatres throughout the U. S., including Signature Theatre, Ford's Theatre, Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, Lyric Theatre and Boston Conservatory.

Nathan Yates Douglass returns to the Ogunquit Playhouse after appearing as Mr. Sander in this season's Seven Brides for Seven Brothers to play the bass and portray Carl Perkins' brother Jay. Mr. Douglass has performed in the National Tours of The Buddy Holly Story; Stand By Your Man, and The Tammy Wynette Story as well as many regional theatre productions across the U.S., including Much Ado About Nothing; Sanders Family Christmas; Ring of Fire and Off-Broadway in On the Bum at the Chelsea Rep Theatre.

David Sonneborn returns from the 2015 production of Million Dollar Quartet to once again play Fluke the drummer. He is a longtime New York City musician, and was an original cast member of the Million Dollar Quartet National Tour for four years. David has performed at the New York Musical Theatre Festival as well as touring nationally in Always, Patsy Cline, and Honky Tonk Angels.

Also returning to helm the production for the Ogunquit Playhouse is Broadway veteran Hunter Foster, who played the role of Sam Phillips in the original Broadway production. Mr. Foster is an Artistic Associate at the Bucks County Playhouse where he has directed Company, Ain't Misbehavin', The Buddy Holly Story, The Rocky Horror Show, Summer of '42, National Pastime and It's a Wonderful Life. He has also directed My Fair Lady at the Cape Playhouse, Grease at North Carolina Theatre, and Spamalot at Casa Manana. As a librettist, he has written the books to the Off-Broadway musicals Summer of '42 (Outer Critic Nomination for Best New Musical) and Jasper in Deadland. Other recent book writing credits include The Circus in Winter (Goodspeed Musicals), Clyde and Bonnie: A Folktale (New York Musical Theatre Festival, Aurora Theatre), The Hollow (Signature Theatre) and Blue Ridge Sky. As an actor, he has performed in the Broadway musicals The Bridges of Madison County, Hands on a Hardbody, Million Dollar Quartet, The Producers, Little Shop of Horrors (Tony nomination), Urinetown, Les Miserables, Footloose, Grease and King David.

Jennifer Cody returns as well to join the Ogunquit creative team as the Associate Director. In addition to assisting with the 2015 production of Million Dollar Quartet she has performed at the Ogunquit Playhouse in Cinderella as Joy, All Shook Up as Natalie/Ed and in Damn Yankees as Gloria. On Broadway she has performed in A Christmas Story, Shrek, Pajama Game, Taboo, Urinetown, No No Nanette (Encores), Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (Actor's Fund), Seussical the Musical, Mr. Magoo's Christmas (Actor's Fund), Grease, Beauty and the Beast and Cats. She has choreographed the Off-Broadway shows Debbie Does Dallas at the Jane St Theatre, Prodigal at the York Theatre and Henry and Mudge for TheatreWorks, as well as directed regionally and Off-Broadway.

The Ogunquit Playhouse will again feature the original Broadway set designed by Derek McLane. He also designed Broadway sets for Beautiful, The Heiress, Nice Work If You Can Get It, The Best Man, Follies, Anything Goes, How to Succeed in Business..., Bengal Tiger in the Baghdad Zoo...., Ragtime, 33 Variations, Grease, Little Women, The Pajama Game, I Am My Own Wife, The Women, and Present Laughter. He recently designed both the 2013 and the 2014 Oscars, as well as NBC's Sound of Music Live. He has won OBIE, Lucille Lortel, Tony and Drama Desk Awards for his designs. Additional scenic elements are designed by Adam Koch, who has designed over one hundred productions nationwide, most recently the regional premieres of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Sister Act and Saturday Night Fever for the Ogunquit Playhouse, as well as Hello, Dolly!, Miss Saigon, Dreamgirls, Kiss of the Spiderwoman, Big Fish, A Little Night Music, Tarzan, Bye Bye Birdie, Sweet Charity, Call Me Madam, Big River and many more. Off-Broadway he created sets for Rooms: A Rock Romance, Loaded, We the People, Pinkalicious, and Freckleface Strawberry. Associate Scenic Designer Steven Royal, who has collaborated with Adam Koch on over thirty musicals, plays and live events including Miss Saigon (Signature Theatre), Carousel (Serenbe Playhouse) and Hairspray (Syracuse Stage), also joins the creative team for the Ogunquit Playhouse.

Costume Designer for the Ogunquit production is Molly Walz who has worked as a costume manager, technician, and designer all over the country. Sound Designers for the Ogunquit production are Justin Stasiw who has worked on Broadway for Something Rotten and Side Show (Drama Desk Nomination) as well as Off-Broadway and many regional theatres across the U.S., and Kevin Heard who has worked on many productions at the Ogunquit Playhouse, Broadway, Off-Broadway and over 100 regional theatres from coast to coast. Lighting Designer is Richard Latta who has created the lighting for dozens of Ogunquit Playhouse productions, including most recently Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Sister Act, Victor/Victoria, Nice Work If You Can Get It, Saturday Night Fever and White Christmas in addition to many regional theatres in the U.S.

Mark your calendars now and book your tickets for Million Dollar Quartet. Individual tickets start at $47 each. Early Bird subscriptions are on sale now for the 2017 season. To learn more about becoming a Playhouse subscriber, member, or to purchase tickets and gift cards, visit www.ogunquitplayhouse.org or call the Ogunquit Playhouse Box Office at 207-646-5511.

The Ogunquit Playhouse, a 501c3 not-for-profit organization listed on the National Historic Register, is located on Route One in Ogunquit, Maine and produces the finest Broadway musicals each season with performances Tuesday through Sunday, from May 18 to November 6. Follow the Ogunquit Playhouse on Twitter (@OgunquitPH) and on Facebook (facebook.com/OgunquitPlayhouse) for behind-the-scenes info, photos and fun throughout the season. For a complete list of show times, pricing and more information about the season visit www.ogunquitplayhouse.org.

Pictured from the 2015 Ogunquit Playhouse production are Robert Britton Lyons as Carl Perkins, Nat Zegree as Jerry Lee Lewis, Jacob Rowley as Elvis Presley and Scott Moreau as Johnny Cash.

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