Million Dollar Quartet Comes To Grand Rapids, MI 1/17-22
By: BWW News Desk Jan. 17, 2012
The national tour of MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, the international smash hit musical inspired by the true story of four rock ‘n' roll icons will make its Grand Rapids premiere January 17-22, 2012 at DeVos Performance Hall as part of the Fifth Third Bank Broadway Grand Rapids Series. Tickets are now on sale at Ticketmaster.com.
On December 4, 1956, an auspicious twist of fate brought Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis 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 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 ‘n' roll jam sessions of all time.
MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET brings that legendary night to life with an irresistible tale of broken promises, secrets, betrayal and celebrations featuring an eclectic score of rock, gospel , R&B and country hits including; "Blue Suede Shoes," "Fever," "Sixteen Tons," "Who Do You Love?," "Great Balls of Fire," "Matchbox," "Folsom Prison Blues," " Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On," "Hound Dog," and more.
The New York Times praises MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET by saying, "A hit parade of favorites, providing the audience with blast after blast of sweet nostalgia."
Echoing accolades come from the Associated Press as they describe the production as ‘"MUSICAL FIREWORKS! MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET gets the cheering audience to its feet!" NY 1 agrees, " MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET makes for 90 minutes of PLATINUM GRADE ENTERTAINMENT."
Portraying these icons are, Derek Keeling as Johnny Cash, Billy Woodward as Elvis Presley, Martin Kaye as Jerry Lee Lewis and Lee Ferris as Carl Perkins. Christopher Ryan Grant will play the "Father of Rock ‘n' Roll," Sam Phillips. The cast also features Kelly Lamont as Dyanne, and musicians Billy Shaffer (Fluke, drums), and Chuck Zayas (Jay Perkins, bass). Rounding out the company are: Austin Cook, Scott F. Moreau, John Michael Presney, David Sonneborn, and Alyssa Marie.
MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET is directed by Eric Schaeffer and features a book by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux. The design team for the national tour includes: Derek McLane (scenic design), Howell Binkley (lighting design), Jane Greenwood (costume design), Kai Harada (sound design) and Chuck Mead (musical arrangements and supervision).
In 2008 the smash-hit musical opened in Chicago and continues its run at the Apollo Theatre. The Broadway production premiered at the Nederlander Theater in April of 2010. The first international production of MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET debuted in February 2011 at the Noël Coward Theatre in London's West End.
MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET won a Tony Award® for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical and received a Tony Award® nomination for Best Musical and Best Book of a Musical (Colin Escott & Floyd Mutrux). The show received an Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical, a Drama Desk nomination for Outstanding Musical Revue and three Drama League nominations including Distinguished Production of a Musical and Distinguished Performance.
MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET is produced on Broadway by Relevant Theatricals, John Cossette Productions, American Pop Anthology, Broadway Across America and James L. Nederlander.
MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET is affordably priced from $27.50 and will perform 8 shows at DeVos Performance Hall from January 17-22, 2012. The performance schedule is Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30pm, Friday at 8:00pm, Saturday at 2:00pm & 8:00pm, and Sunday at 1:00pm & 6:30pm. Tickets are available at the DeVos Performance Hall box office, all Ticketmaster locations, www.Ticketmaster.com or via phone at 1-800-745-3000. Group discounts are available by calling 616-719-8050 or e-mail groups@bwaygr.org.
The Grand Rapids engagement of MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET is welcomed by Dykema, Request Foods, Inc.; Saint Mary's Health Care; and Steelcase, Inc.
For more information on the Fifth Third Bank Broadway Grand Rapids Series visit www.BroadwayGrandRapids.com.
www.milliondollarquartetlive.com.
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