Actors' Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre to Kick Off the 2016-17 Season with Million Dollar Quartet

Actors' Playhouse will kick off its 2016-17 Mainstage Season with the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Million Dollar Quartet, on stage October 19, 2016 through January 1, 2017 in the intimate 300-seat Balcony Theatre.

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 over 20 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 to create a red-hot rock 'n' roll band for one unforgettable night.

Directed by award-winning Actors' Playhouse Artistic Director David Arisco, musically directed by Manny Schvartzman and associate musical direction by Dominique Scott (Jerry Lee Lewis himself), this 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.

"We have assembled four multitalented singer/actor/musicians to bring you a no-holds-barred rendition of the one and only Million Dollar Quartet," said Arisco. "Plus we're presenting the show in our small upstairs theatre putting you, our audience, right in the studio with these iconic legends."

Making his debut at Actors' Playhouse as Elvis Presley is Eddie Clendening. Mr. Clendening originated the role on Broadway, and went on to perform several National Tours of Million Dollar Quartet. Mr. Clendening has appeared in several ad campaigns from coast to coast as "The King" for fashion brands, and on prime time, and regional television programs such as "The Late Show with David Letterman," "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon," "The View," "Today Show" and more. He's continued to be seen on stage in plays and tribute shows to many of the greats including Buddy Holly, Johnny Cash, and Carl Perkins to name a few. Dominique Scott, who had audiences jumping to their feet with excitement in two recent productions of Million Dollar Quartet at Gateway Playhouse and Westchester Broadway Theatre, returns home to the Miracle Theatre (where he started his career as a longtime member of the Actors' Playhouse's Musical Miracles youth repertory company) to play the role of the energetic Jerry Lee Lewis. Following three years of travelling the world performing as "Drew" in the touring production of Rock of Ages, Mr. Scott last travelled home in 2015 to play "Younger Brother" in Actors' Playhouse's critically-acclaimed production of Ragtime. Making his debut at Actors' Playhouse as Carl Perkins is Jeremy Sevelovitz. His fourth production of the musical, Mr. Sevelovitz just closed a production of Million Dollar Quartet at Actors Theatre of Indiana and previously performed as Perkins at Flat Rock Playhouse. Other credits include Chasing the Song (La Jolla Playhouse), Hello! My Baby (Goodspeed Opera House), Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash (Penobscot Theater Company/Seven Angel Theatre) and the National Tour of We The People. Joining the cast as Johnny Cash is Sky Seals who is also making his Actors' Playhouse debut. Fresh from his performance in Million Dollar Quartet at the Westchester Broadway Theater, he previously appeared in the successful Chicago re-imagining of Hair ("Berger," ATC), and in the Off-Broadway musical Sessions ("Dylan," Algonquin Theater).

The role of Sam Phillips is played by Jim Ballard who was most recently seen at Actors' Playhouse in Unnecessary Farce, Spamalot, and more, and was featured in the National and Asian Tour of The Sound of Music as "Capt. Von Trapp." Lindsey Corey also returns to the Miracle Theatre to play Elvis' girlfriend Dyanne in Million Dollar Quartet following a recent Carbonell Award win and performances in Actors' Playhouse's productions of Spamalot, The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge and Sondheim on Sondheim. Newcomers Andy Davis (Guys and Dolls, Oklahoma, The Music Man) and Adam Egizi (Rock of Ages, Boyband Review New York, Hold On: The Music of Triumph) round out the cast on bass and drums.

The creative team for Million Dollar Quartet includes Scenic Design by Gene Seyffer, Lighting Design by Eric Nelson, Sound Design by Shaun Mitchell, Costume Design by Ellis Tillman and Properties Design and Set Dressing by Jodi Dellaventura.

Preview performances will be held on Wednesday and Thursday, October 19 and 20 at 8 p.m. The show will open on Friday, October 21 at 8 p.m. and play through January 1, 2017. Evening performances will be held Wednesday through Saturday at 8 p.m., with afternoon matinees on Sunday at 3 p.m. A special weekday matinee is scheduled on Wednesday, October 26 at 2 p.m.

Director David Arisco will lead a discussion group with actors and community guests following the performance on Friday, October 28, 2016 as part of the company's new "Second Fridays" series. Complimentary champagne will be served to attendees.

Preview night tickets on the first Wednesday and Thursday are $40. Tickets for weeknights and matinees are $57, and on Friday and Saturday evenings $64. The theatre offers 10 percent off all weekday performances for seniors and $15 student rush tickets to any performance 15 minutes prior to curtain with identification. Discounts are based on availability.

Group discounted rates are offered for 15 or more through our group sales department. Single tickets may be purchased through the box office at 305-444-9293 or online at www.actorsplayhouse.org.

This event is made possible with the support of Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, the Cultural Affairs Council, and the Miami Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners for Major Cultural Institutions, and is sponsored in part by the State of Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, and the Florida Council on Arts & Culture, with support of the City of Coral Gables, and the following sponsors: Azamara Club Cruises, Bacardi U.S.A., Brickell Bank, Miami Marlins, NBC 6 South Florida and WPBT2.

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