Displaying items by tag: Johnny cash

Paramount Theatre’s long-running smash hit musical Million Dollar Quartet has wrapped its winter break, and is rebooting to rock downtown Aurora’s Stolp Island Theatre for three more months, March 4-May 31, 2026.

Repeat audiences know, and newcomers really should experience, this new, limited engagement of Paramount’s critically acclaimed, immersive Million Dollar Quartet. Both the theater and the show were custom built to create an intimate, jukebox musical experience like none before, inventively staged inside a replica of the original Sun Records studio in Memphis.

It was there, on December 4, 1956, where Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins famously came together to record one of the most historic jam sessions in rock ‘n’ roll history. In Paramount’s Sun Records, the musical delivers incredible, up-close live performances of some of the best songs in rock ‘n’ roll history, including “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “I Walk the Line,” “Hound Dog” and “Great Balls of Fire.”

Paramount’s production returns with its original Jerry Lee Lewis, Garrett Forrestal, still leaping off his piano since MDQ inaugurated Stolp Island Theatre in June 2024. Veteran rockabilly player Matt McClure returns as Carl Perkins. Also back are Corey McKinney as Elvis Presley and Michael Potter as Johnny Cash, breaking hearts and walking the line respectively since last summer. Connor Green is new to the cast, stepping in as Sun Studios founder Sam Phillips. Paramount’s original Dyanne, show stopper Madison Palmer, and Maeghan Looney as Marion, are both returning for the extension, along with Brandon Pollard as Fluke, and Roy James Brown as Brother Jay, through Mar 22, when Jake Saleh returns as Brother Jay. 

Don’t miss Paramount’s radically unique restaging of one of the most popular jukebox musicals of all time. Dean Richards, WGN-TV/AM, said it was “like stepping into Sun Records where one special night took place." Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, called it “another example of how much the success of the nonprofit, audience-focused Paramount has transformed the center of Aurora into a live entertainment destination.”

Paramount’s Stolp Island Theatre is located at 5 E. Downer Place, Suite G, in downtown Aurora, with several restaurants and easy, affordable parking just a short walk away.

Paramount’s new, limited engagement of Million Dollar Quartet reopens March 4 and runs through May 31. Performance times are Wednesday at
1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m., Thursday at 7 p.m., Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

All seats are $76 when purchased in person. Additional fees apply for phone and online orders. For tickets and information, visitParamountAurora.com, call (630) 896-6666, or stop by the Paramount Theatre box office, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Monday–Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and until show time on show days. 

Million Dollar Quartet inaugurated Paramount’s new Stolp Island Theatre with much fanfare in July 2024. The production was extended three times due to popular demand, running for more than a year and a half prior to this spring 2026 extension.

Chalk this success up to being a production that delivers on all fronts. As soon as audiences step into the lobby, they find themselves outside the legendary Sun Records recording studio in Memphis, Tennessee, where they can step up to the Taylor’s Good Food concession stand for affordable snacks and beverages, view displays about the history of the play and take selfies astride a vintage-style motorcycle.

Paramount’s directors Jim Corti and Creg Sclavi worked with a “million dollar” production team to create a truly a one-of-a-kind live musical experience, stocked with amazing talent, an incredibly detailed, environmental set, and the amazing production values audiences expect from Paramount.

The production team includes Kory Danielson, music director; Jeffrey D. Kmiec, scenic designer; Matt Guthier, costume designer; Greg Hofmann, lighting designer; Adam Rosenthal, sound designer; Mike Tutaj, projections designer; Katie Cordts, wig, hair and makeup designer; and Jonathan Berg-Einhorn, properties designer. Rebecca J. Lister is stage manager and Emily Hanlon is assistant stage manager. Understudies are Roy James Brown (principal Brother Jay to start, understudy when Jake Saleh returns in late March), Brian Grey (Johnny Cash, Sam Phillips), Michael Kurowski (Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley), Drew Mitchell (Fluke), Ben Smallwood (Carl Perkins) and Kyle Wells (Brother Jay). The book is by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux. Original concept and direction by Floyd Mutrix.

Verano, a leading cannabis company that operates Zen Leaf dispensaries in Aurora and across Chicagoland, is Venue Sponsor for Stolp Island Theatre. Old National Bank is Marquee Sponsor for Million Dollar Quartet.

Paramount Theatre’s smash hit musical Million Dollar Quartet has been extended once more due to popular demand.

Previously set to run through January 4, 2026, Chicagoland audiences can look forward to Million Dollar Quartet rocking for three more months, March 4-May 31, 2026.

See Paramount’s wildly acclaimed, immersive staging of Million Dollar Quartet before it’s gone. All remaining performances in 2025 are sold out, but tickets for spring extension performances go on sale today, exclusively to Paramount’s 2025-26 season subscribers.

Tickets go on sale to the general public on Monday, December 22 at 10 a.m. All seats are $76. For tickets and information, visit ParamountAurora.com, call (630) 896-6666, or stop by the Paramount Theatre box office, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Monday–Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and until show time on show days. Attention holiday shoppers: tickets to Million Dollar Quartet also make excellent gifts. Prices listed are for in-person purchases. Additional fees apply for phone and online orders. 

Performance days and times March 4-May 31, 2026 are Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m., Thursday at 7 p.m., Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Paramount’s Stolp Island Theatre, 5 E. Downer Place, Suite G, in downtown Aurora, is surrounded by new restaurants and easy, affordable parking.

About Million Dollar Quartet

Paramount Theatre’s Million Dollar Quartet is like none before. Both the theater and the show were custom built as an immersive jukebox musical experience inside a replica of the original Sun Records studio in Memphis, Tennessee. There, on December 4, 1956, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins recorded one of the most historic jam sessions in rock ‘n’ roll history. 

As soon as audiences step into the lobby, they find themselves standing right outside the Sun Records recording studio in Memphis, Tennessee, where they can take selfies astride a vintage motorcycle, view displays about the history of the play, and step up to the Taylor’s Good Food concession counter for affordable snacks and beverages.

They then walk through a replica of Sun Studio owner Sam Phillips’ office to enter a theatrical recreation of the actual recording studio, where music legends Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins came together to record one of the most historic jam sessions in rock ‘n’ roll history. The recording studio is lined on two sides with just 98 seats, where audiences are treated to a personal, intimate, one-of-a-kind live musical theater experience, fully immersed by amazing talent and the dazzling production values audiences have come to expect from Paramount.

The production is anchored by incredible, up-close live performances of some of the best songs in rock ‘n’ roll history, including “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “I Walk the Line,” “Hound Dog” and “Great Balls of Fire.”  As a result, audiences, including repeat ticket buyers, can’t get enough of this radically unique restaging of one of the most popular jukebox musicals of all time.

“This exuberant new take really is all about trying to include the audience in the jam session” wrote the Chicago Tribune’s Chris Jones, calling out Million Dollar Quartet as “another example of how much the success of the nonprofit, audience-focused Paramount has transformed the center of Aurora into a live entertainment destination.” Dean Richards, WGN-TV/AM, said his experience was “like stepping into Sun Records where one special night took place." 

Casting for the return of Million Dollar Quartet in March is TBA.

The original production inaugurated Paramount’s new Stolp Island Theatre in July 2024, and has since been extended three times due to popular demand. Directors Jim Corti and Creg Sclavi worked with a “million dollar” production team including Kory Danielson, music director; Jeffrey D. Kmiec, scenic designer; Matt Guthier, costume designer; Greg Hofmann, lighting designer; Adam Rosenthal, sound designer; Mike Tutaj, projections designer; Katie Cordts, wig, hair and makeup designer; and Jonathan Berg-Einhorn, properties designer. The book for Million Dollar Quartet is by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux. Original concept and direction by Floyd Mutrix. 

Verano, a leading cannabis company that operates Zen Leaf dispensaries in Aurora and across Chicagoland, is Venue Sponsor for Stolp Island Theatre. Old National Bank is Marquee Sponsor for Million Dollar Quartet.

About Paramount Theatre

Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., is the center for performing arts in Aurora, the second largest city in Illinois. The beautiful, 1,843-seat theater, graced with a strong 1930s Art Deco influence and original Venetian décor, nationally known for its high-quality productions, superb acoustics and historic grandeur, has been downtown Aurora’s anchor attraction since 1931.

Since launching its own Broadway Series in 2011, Paramount has amassed more than 40,000 subscribers, making it the largest subscription house in the U.S.

Paramount Theatre is one of five live performance venues overseen by the Aurora Civic Center Authority (ACCA) in downtown Aurora. ACCA also programs and manages Stolp Island Theatre,
5 E. Downer Place, Suite G, where its wildly acclaimed immersive production of Million Dollar Quartet has been running for more than a year; the 165-seat Copley Theatre, at 8 E. Galena in the North Island Center; the Paramount School of the Arts; and RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway, downtown Aurora’s outdoor summer concert venue and home to Christkindlmarket Aurora. 

Paramount Theatre is overseen by Tim Rater, President and CEO, Aurora Civic Center Authority; Jim Corti, Artistic Director, Paramount Theatre; a dedicated Board of Trustees and a devoted staff of live theater and music professionals.

For the latest updates, visit ParamountAurora.com or follow @paramountaurora on Facebook and Instagram, and Paramount Theatre on LinkedIn.

Million Dollar Quartet Christmas brings the legends back together - Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins - for a high-energy holiday jam at Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee. Packed with rock 'n' roll hits and festive favorites, this jukebox musical delivers a nostalgic blast of seasonal cheer. Now staged in the round at Marriott Theatre, it’s a toe-tapping celebration you won’t want to miss.

This thrilling holiday musical whisks audiences back to December 4, 1956, inside Memphis’s iconic Sun Records studio, where the birth of rock ‘n’ roll gets a festive twist. Framed as a lively holiday reunion of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins, the show plays like a jukebox time capsule - glittering with tinsel, rhythm, and seasonal joy. The studio glows with holiday charm - garlands strung, mistletoe dangling, and a decorated tree tucked in the corner - as four rock ‘n’ roll legends reunite to trade stories, revisit Christmases past, and muse about the road ahead. Their banter is light, their bond electric with nostalgia, and every song reverberates with the unfiltered energy of icons at the height of their powers.

Framed as a rockin’ ride through Christmas past, present, and future, the show fuses tender reflections with turbo-charged takes on holiday favorites and golden-age rock hits. Each legend infuses the stage with their signature sound, transforming timeless tunes into pulse-pounding celebrations of the season - and the rebellious heart of rock ‘n’ roll.

Million Dollar Quartet Christmas at Marriott Theatre ignites the stage with a high-voltage blend of rock ‘n’ roll swagger and holiday spirit. Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins deliver powerhouse performances that showcase their iconic styles while wrapping the season in nostalgic charm. Alongside the show’s signature hits, audiences are treated to festive favorites like “Blue Christmas,” “Santa Claus Is Back in Town,” “Boogie Woogie Santa Claus,” “Run, Rudolph, Run,” “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” and a rollicking mashup of “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” and “Jingle Bell Rock.”

This cast doesn’t just shine - they explode off the stage. Million Dollar Quartet Christmas blazes to life with a powerhouse ensemble that doesn’t imitate rock ‘n’ roll royalty—they channel them. With razor-sharp musicianship, magnetic charisma, and a sleigh-load of seasonal swagger, these performers ignite a musical storm that’s both heartwarming and high-octane. It’s not just a performance - it’s a full-blown holiday revival of rhythm, soul, and rock ‘n’ roll cheer.

Let’s raise the curtain on this extraordinary cast - each performer a vital spark in the blazing brilliance of Million Dollar Quartet Christmas.

JP Coletta plays Jerry Lee Lewis and detonates onto the stage with a performance that’s equally volcanic and virtuosic. From the moment his fingers hit the keys, it’s clear we’re in for a wild ride: he attacks the piano with manic glee and devilish precision, channeling the raw, unfiltered spirit of rock’s original wild child. Every note ricochets with rebellion, every flourish drips with swagger, and every sideways grin feels like a wink to chaos itself. Coletta’s portrayal is a masterclass in musical mayhem - blistering, magnetic, and utterly irresistible. By the end, the piano’s smoking, the audience is beaming, and the ghost of Jerry Lee is surely somewhere backstage, grinning in approval.

As Carl Perkins, Trevor Lindley Craft brings a cool, soulful swagger, anchoring the show with crisp guitar licks and vocals laced with rockabilly grit. He’s the ensemble’s steady heartbeat - cutting through the chaos with finesse, style, and a quiet confidence that keeps the rhythm grounded. Whether trading riffs or harmonizing with the quartet, Craft exudes the kind of understated charisma that lets the music speak volumes.

Michael D. Potter steps into Johnny Cash’s boots with quiet power and commanding presence. His voice rolls in low and steady, like distant thunder on a Tennessee night, and his portrayal hums with authenticity. Potter doesn’t overplay the legend - he funnels him, letting the stillness between notes carry as much weight as the music itself. Stoic yet stirring, he draws the audience in with a magnetic gravity that feels both timeless and true.

Colton Sims doesn’t just impersonate Elvis Presley - he inhabits him with velvet vocals and hip-shaking bravado along with a gaze that could melt vinyl. From his first entrance, Sims radiates the kind of stage command that made Elvis a cultural phenomenon. His voice smolders, his movements sizzle, and his charisma is pure dynamite. It’s a performance that balances swagger with sincerity, capturing the King in all his electrifying glory.

As Elvis’ girlfriend Dyanne, Teah Kiang Mirabelli is a revelation. She infuses the stage with elegance, wit, and vocal brilliance, elevating every scene she’s in. More than just a supporting role, Mirabelli brings emotional depth and radiant charm, offering a counterpoint to the testosterone-fueled jam session. Her solos soar with precision and passion, and her presence adds a layer of warmth and complexity that rounds out the show’s dynamic pulse. Mirabelli is especially adorable during her cute, mandolin-playing Hawaiian themed number “Mele Kalikimaka”.

Ross Griffin grounds the show with quiet intensity as Sam Phillips, the visionary behind the music and the man holding the emotional reins. His performance is taut, urgent, and deeply human - a portrait of ambition, loyalty, and the weight of legacy. Griffin narrates the story; he lives in its tension, embodying a producer torn between past glories and future dreams.

Rounding out the ensemble with flair and finesse are Jed Feder as Fluke and Cody Siragusa as Brother Jay. With razor-sharp timing, rhythmic fire, and a dash of comic mischief, they keep the backbeat tight and the energy sky-high. Whether laying down grooves or landing punchlines, they’re the unsung heroes who make the whole jam session sing.

Together, this cast absolutely ignites. Every note, every gesture, every glance is charged with passion, precision, and holiday joy. It’s a Christmas musical miracle wrapped in tinsel and rock 'n' roll. The actors’ live musical performances - executed with impressive skill - infuse the production with an electrifying energy. With guitars in hand, a stand-up bass thumping, and drums driving the rhythm, the stage often pulses with the raw excitement of a live concert.

Under the spirited direction of Scott Weinstein, this holiday edition of Million Dollar Quartet strikes a joyful chord between festive fun and nostalgic reverence. Weinstein orchestrates the production with a keen sense of pacing and emotional texture, allowing the show to glide effortlessly from quiet, intimate moments to full-throttle rock ’n’ roll revelry. Whether it’s a tender ballad shared under the glow of Christmas lights or a raucous jam session that rattles the rafters, each scene is staged with precision, heart, and a wink of holiday mischief. The result is a dynamic, feel-good celebration that honors the legends of Sun Records while wrapping the audience in the warm glow of seasonal spirit.

Before the curtain rises, treat yourself to a festive feast at Embers Christmas Grille, the seasonal pop-up nestled inside the Lincolnshire Marriott Resort - just steps from the theater. Offered Wednesday through Friday, this holiday dining experience features a three-course prix fixe menu for $49 per person, served with a generous helping of cheer. Each dish is playfully named and thoughtfully crafted, blending seasonal inspiration with upscale comfort. With options spanning beef, chicken, and fish, the menu offers a whimsical twist on traditional holiday fare - perfect for theatergoers looking to savor the spirit of the season in style.

Million Dollar Quartet Christmas is holiday fun at its fullest.

Highly recommended.

For tickets and/or more show information, visit https://www.marriotttheatre.com/show/million-dollar-quartet-christmas.  

Fall into the blazing ring of fire that is Johnny Cash’s scorching song catalogue at Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash at Drury Lane Theatre. Part biography, part music revue, and all entertainment, Ring of Fire will take you on a nostalgic, country music-filled journey through the life, times, and songs of American treasure Johnny Cash.

The original 2006 Broadway production of Ring of Fire lasted only 47 performances, likely because it was riding the coattails of the popularity of the 2005 Johnny Cash biopic Walk the Line starring Joaquin Phoenix, and the Broadway musical treats the same story and songs more shallowly and lightly. Drury Lane Theatre brings back this production in a new context, in a new decade, maybe when we need and miss the country music icon more than ever.

Erik Hellman, Roy James Brown, Ron E Rains, Elleon Dobias, Michael Potter. Photo by Brett Beiner

The modest hour and 45 minute run time consists mostly of music, impressively played live by the six-person cast and band, which was one of the biggest highlights for me. Ron E. Rains portrays an older Cash, narrating the story and exchanging meaningful glances with the younger Johnny, played by Michael D. Potter, as he goes through life making music, headlines, and mistakes. 

Using Cash’s songs, small costume and set changes, and short bits of dialogue, the show takes you through Johnny Cash’s life, from his childhood growing up on a farm, to hitting it big in the country music scene, to his drug addiction, to meeting his soulmate June Carter. 

Aja Wiltshire, Michael Potter. Photo by Brett Beiner

The only complaint I could see one having about the show – and maybe why it didn’t last long on Broadway – is how briskly it skims over the rich life story of Johnny Cash. It feels more like a musical review than a traditional musical. It’s even reminiscent of a similar musical, Million Dollar Quartet, about a recording session at Sun Studios with Cash, Elvis, Carl Perkins, and Jerry Lee Lewis that had a home in Chicago for many years in the early 2000s. If you like the music, you’ll be happy. But if you want a more traditional musical with plot and character-driven songs, this may not be the show for you.

Johnny Cash fans will love hearing both hits and deeper cuts from the Cash catalogue, like “Big River”, “Straight As in Love”, “Cry Cry Cry”, “Hey Porter”, “I Still Miss Someone”, “Five Feet High”, “Daddy Sang Bass”, “Get Rhythm”, “Folsom Prison Blues”, and dozens more. Female voices also shine with Aja Wiltshire as a brassy and sassy June Carter and Elleon Dobias as Cash’s heartbroken first wife Viv.

Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash is playing at Drury Lane Theatre through October 22, 2023. Tickets can be purchased on their website.

I must admit, I knew nothing about Marie Knight or Rosetta Tharpe. It went over my head when they made an appearance in the critically acclaimed movie “Elvis”. Baz Luhrmann’s inclusion of Rosetta Tharpe and Marie Knight during the Club Handy scene with the likes of Elvis, BB King and Little Richard spoke volumes of her place in music history. Not only was Rosetta Tharpe a major influence on Elvis Presley, Jimmy Hendrix and Johnny Cash but the gospel guitarist practically discovered Little Richard, bringing him on stage for his first performance. “Marie and Rosetta” documents their lives together with a rousing, heartfelt production at Northlight Theatre.

It is 1946, Rosetta Tharpe is an explosive gospel singer and R&B performer,. After hearing Marie Knight sing, she tries to get the ingénue to create an act with her. “Sister” Rosetta needs Marie’s holier than thou credentials to “get back in the church folks’ good graces”. Her brand of gospel is infused with R&B and electric guitar riffs. She is a popular nightclub act and just as righteous as Mahalia Jackson, she just likes R&B. Marie Knight, on the other hand, is a traditional gospel singer with a powerful angelic voice. She is in awe of the older, popular Tharpe, but is unsure of the worldly music Tharpe calls gospel. This is their first rehearsal on the day of their first performance so naturally things must be sorted out before a duet can be made.

Playwright George Brant has done his research for this play with music, yet he hasn’t created a jukebox musical. There is a clear story being told here and the music is a bonus. Although, the play is heavy on exposition, it tells the beautiful relationship between these women and their influence on the music world. It is thought Marie and Rosetta’s relationship extended beyond the stage. Brant doesn’t straightwash this story. He has handled their relationship with the utmost respect. Brant does an interesting writing trick. It would be unfair to reveal it, but it has been on my mind since I saw the show. Brant has used spiritual songs like “This Train” and “Didn’t Rain”, as well as worldly songs like “I Want A Tall Skinny Papa” and “4 - 5 Times” to keep things hot.

E. Faye Butler is making a name for herself as a director. She is fresh off “Five Guys Named Mo”, a co-direction assignment with Felicia Fields at The Beverley Arts Center. It was excellent. Here, Butler is challenged with giving these characters emotional depth equal to their amazing voices. Challenge met. Butler has raised the stakes between these two women without losing the love and respect they had for each other. Their movements were instinctual, their emotions palpable.

This play is heavily dependent on excellent actresses. Not only must they sing well but they must be able to portray characters long gone from the collective psyche. Making these characters real was no easy task. Alexis J. Roston and Bethany Thomas by themselves knock your socks off, together they are a force of nature. They both engage us with their very different singing styles. Roston blesses the heavens with her symphonically precise tones. Thomas is like a hurricane, belting out the blues in all it’s various hues. They are accompanied offstage by Morgan E. Stevenson on piano and Larry Brown on guitar.

John Culbert’s scenic design coupled with the lighting design by Jared Gooding will be the subject of conversation for a while. McKinley Johnson’s costume design played a significant role. It’s always wonderful when set, lights and costumes enhance the characters presence and add depth to the overall production. Florence Walker-Harris is a joy, and her assistant director credit makes a wonderful show even more wonderful.

This play is highly recommended. Thank you Northlight Theatre for remembering these forgotten icons. You will leave the theatre joyful, filled with the knowledge of a rock and roll icons making a joyful noise to the Lord.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

When: Through August 6, 2023

Where: Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd.

Running time: 90 minutes

Tickets: $30. - $89 Student tickets $15.

Contact: northlight.org.

*Extended through August 13th

One could only picture what would have happened should four of the greatest rock and roll pioneers ever step foot in the same studio at the same time. And just imagine if the above referenced were Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash. Well, one winter afternoon in December of 1956, that’s exactly what occurred when these four music trendsetters met unexpectedly at Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee. Though no one outside of Jerry Lee Lewis himself (only living participant) really knows all the details of what happened during that meeting, most are quite certain a jam session like no other took place, later earning the four the nickname “The Million Dollar Quartet”.

Currently playing at Theater at the Center in Munster, Indiana, ‘Million Dollar Quartet’ brilliantly takes its audience into Memphis’ Sun Records studio where it combines theatre with a truly entertaining rock and roll show. Filled with jaw-dropping singing and instrumental feats, ‘Million Dollar Quartet’ beautifully conveys the excitement of mid-1950’s rock music while at the same time providing audience members with a good feel for the time period itself. It is no wonder this show is already a timeless classic.

Finely directed by Daryl Brooks, ‘Million Dollar Quartet’ does not require elaborate set changes, taking place entirely in a recording studio (Sun) converted from an auto parts store. The show makes its mark as one of the hottest shows on stage thanks to its amazing musical performances, well-defined characters and a storyline that perfectly delivers the enthralling supposition of “What could have been?” The story also points to the importance of Sun Records and their impact on the music world, mainly owner Sam Phillips (superbly played by Sean Fortunato) and his ability to recognize and shape the talent of each recording artist, by having them reach inside themselves. The man was simply a musical genius. But Sun Studios is a small, two-man operation and it is inevitable that each of these great artists will one day outgrow Mr. Phillips distribution and marketing ability and look to hop on larger, well-established labels.

What contributes greatly in making ‘Million Dollar Quartet’ so special is the incredible cast they managed to assemble. Not only does Theater at the Center’s cast deliver the personality traits and behaviors of each, from Jerry Lee Lewis’ dancing eyebrows to Elvis’ sneers and unique body language from the waist down, but it is each actor’s ability to convincingly sing and play as their character that takes this show to a much higher altitude.

At times, Michael Kurowski literally makes the audience forget they are not watching the real Jerry Lee Lewis thanks to his maniacal style of piano playing intertwined with the showmanship that helped the rockin’ pianist become famous. Zachary Stevenson’s sizzling guitar licks and strong vocals makes a highly believable Carl Perkins (you might remember Stevenson from his outstanding performance as Buddy Holly in American Blues Theatre’s ‘The Buddy Holly Story’), while Thomas Malouf nails Johnny Cash with spot on singing and his ability to capture his live qualities. Zach Sorrow, who first stuns the crowd with his accurate rendition of “That’s All Right” and then later seals the deal with a classic performance of “Hound Dog,” plays Elvis Presley. Together they are a force. The cast is rounded out by studio session players Fluke (Nick Anderson) on drums and Jay Perkins (Michael Sinclair) on bass who present a show worth watching in their own right. Aeriel Williams stuns as Elvis’ girlfriend Dyanne who joins in the all-star jam session with a couple songs of her own including an inspired version of “Fever” that really shakes the house.

‘Million Dollar Quartet’ starts off with a bang with “Blue Suede Shoes” and then continues to highlight memorable songs from each performer including “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Who Do You Love,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “Peace in the Valley” and many more. A good mix of concert and theatre, this is a show that is heartfelt, entertaining and sure to leave a lasting impression - not to mention have many searching through their record collection when they get home. This is a show that captures its audience within the first minute, embodies rock n’ roll fun throughout and ends on a high note with its dynamic ending as a show featuring Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis should.

‘Million Dollar Quartet’ is currently playing at Theater at the Center through March 31st. For more information visit www.TheaterAtTheCenter.com.

Just imagine if you could be a fly on the wall during that infamous night when four legendary stars of rock and roll - Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis got together for one epic night at Sun Studios. That historic meeting had the young stars playing a variety of songs together while they shared their private sorrows and triumphs. Put it all together and you have the long-lasting recipe for success of the hit show "Million Dollar Quartet". Marriott Theatre is currently hosting the hit musical that actually plays more like a concert at times. 

Director James Moye uses the lovely theater’s in the round setting to create a new fresh and energetic staging of this show that will perk you up and make you feel the "sun" that must have been radiating out of the historic Sun Studios on December 4th, 1956 when these four young stars really did gather there to play on the same day. 

'"Million Dollar Quartet” is really an ensemble piece where all four lead characters also get a chance to shine individually during the course of the show. 

I have seen the show several times and even though these actors are playing monolithic stars and their memorable hit songs - each cast is totally unique. 

In this production Johnny cash played by Christopher J. Essex shines out as the best voice for Johnny Cash. Essex's deep rolling singing tones and gentle giant presentation are spot on and form an anchor for the entire cast to stay true to the singer they are portraying. Rustin Cole Sailors plays a nice, sensitive youthful Elvis and Shaun Whitley busts out with an excellent, rocking portrayal of Carl Perkins - blazing guitar playing and all. Marriott regular Laura Savage also impresses as Elvis’ girlfriend Dyanne, especially in her saucy rendition of “Fever”. Bassist Zach Lentino who play’s Carl’s brother Jay and Kieran McCabe who mans the drums are also a ton of fun to watch. 

But the real standout in this production comes from Nat Zegree as Jerry Lee Lewis. Zegree whose program biography states that he has played the role 350 times, is an animal in the role, prowling the stage and riding the piano like a tiger on speed. Zegree never loses sight of the brilliance of Jerry Lee Lewis piano chops and his ahead of his time, sexually charged rock and roll energy.  Zegree is a dancer, you can see that every step he takes, even while doing a headstand while continuing to batter the keys with ferocity and accuracy.

I've seen other actors play this role, but Zegree's interpretation and performance and piano playing is best I have seen. I imagine it must be difficult for an actor so multi-m talented to show off ALL of his talents in any other role. 

The show isn’t all rosy with four musical legends playing an impromptu one-night engagement. The story also delves into what an impact studio owner Sam Phillips (David Folsom) had on each of them – and how Presley, Cash, and Perkins outgrew the local music studio opting to go with big record labels like Columbia. Worry not, Phillips will be the first one to tell you he made out quite nicely.

A hearty soundtrack of favorite rock and roll classics light up the stage during the 100-minute play – toe-tapping hits such as “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Walk the Line,” “Sixteen Tons,” “Who Do You Love?,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “Folsom Prison Blues” and “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On.”

I thoroughly enjoyed the entire cast and every number in this exciting, inspiring show which was perfectly timed for the "dead of Winter" here in Chicago to warm up sleepy audiences. Zegree's showstopping, prodigy-like talents and explosive energy is a performance I will remember for a long time and makes this already great production one of the "must see" shows of the season. 

Highly recommended.

“Million Dollar Quartet” is being performed at Marriott Theatre through March 16th. For more show information visit www.marriotttheatre.com.

These days – these days of fractured politics and fraudulent politicians and fake news, and all of the fear they’ve collectively caused our country – perhaps we could all use a little comfort food, be it literal or figurative. And for a couple hours on Sunday night at Ravinia, that’s what John Mellencamp and Carlene Carter dished out – American music that was comforting while still completely captivating.

American music, of course, is Ms. Carter’s birthright. By nature and by nurture, the daughter of June Carter and stepdaughter of Johnny Cash was meant to grace the stage, and oh boy, did she ever. The strains of her guitar and twang of her voice filling the night air, Carter welcomed the crowd as they filed to their seats. Regaling us with stories of a life lived among musical royalty (one yarn involved a late-1960's Kris Kristofferson in leather pants and a helicopter), Carlene gifted us with her own God-given talent. Setting down her guitar to sit down at the piano, she shared the personal loss of her mother and stepdaddy with the hymnal “Lonesome Valley.” Leading us north shore folks in an acapella “Will the Circle Be Unbroken,” she winkingly assured us that our rendition was alright, even though we’re no Carter Family.

This professionalism continued as members of the headlining band took the stage, decked out in black suits and armed with hollow-body guitars, a violin, faux-distressed drumkit, and even an accordion. The music of a newer number, “Lawless Times” from 2014’s Plain Spoken, began. And then that familiar face and comforting form of John Mellencamp strolled out, Telecaster guitar strapped over black duds that would’ve made the afore-mentioned Mr. Cash proud, as confident and cocksure as he was decades ago.

The opener was a newer song, but the weathered voice, the still-handsome face, and the populist politics – sentiments both working-class and progressive? How vintage! How quaint! – were anything but. This was the guy – the legend, the hall-of-famer, the working man’s musician – the crowd had come to see. And their hero delivered.

After another more recent number, Mellencamp dove into his back catalogue with renditions of “Minutes to Memories” and “Small Town” off the once-ubiquitous Scarecrow, the crowd eager to leap to its feet and sing along.

After introducing himself and his band, Mellencamp traveled back in time even further with a modern blues take – just vocals, slide guitar, and upright bass – on Robert Johnson’s haunting “Stones in My Passway.”

Again returning to his own work, Mellencamp sang “Pop Singer,” which could just as easily critique today’s fleeting and narcissistic culture as the one nearly three decades ago, as could 1987’s “Check It Out.” The only updates these songs got were thanks to the mature and polished backing band Mellencamp brought and the weathered rasp that age has brought him.

The next song didn’t need the stellar backing musicians or their bevy of instruments to make it powerful. Clutching his acoustic guitar, today’s John Mellencamp told the tale of how a 24-year-old version of himself penned “Jack and Diane” while torn between dreams of songwriting stardom and the more worldly concerns 20-somethings have always had. And strumming said guitar, he allowed the crowd of equally aged folks to take the lead, literally, singing the lead vocal we all know…or at least thought we did. When the crowd skipped the second verse, instead plowing into that beloved chorus, Mellencamp corrected us before continuing. But that chorus of voices made “Oh yeah, life goes on, long after the thrill of living is gone” float through the summer air, sounding every bit the hymn or old standard it has become.

Carlene Carter then returned for a couple of tunes, including “My Soul’s Got Wings,” whose lyrics were once written by Woody Guthrie, only to be given the Mermaid Avenue treatment (given music and a proper recording) by Mellencamp on this year’s Sad Clowns & Hillbillies. A lovely overture by the band’s violinist and accordion player was played before the crowd again got the classics, in the form of “Rain on the Scarecrow” and “Crumblin’ Down.” When each of these was played, the audience leapt to its feet, especially going footloose for “Authority Song,” whose authoritative target most of them have become all these years later.

But that was not the point of the show. Who we were – and how that’s not so different than who we are now – was what mattered. And as we embraced John Mellencamp’s songs, singing with him, all together for one glorious night, he provided the comfort and familiarity that was underscored by the main set’s closer, “Pink Houses”: “Ain’t that America, somethin’ to see…”

For one night, we forgot about the world outside. It sure was somethin’ to see.

One could only picture what would have happened should four of the greatest rock and roll pioneers ever stepped foot in the same studio at the same time. And just imagine if the above referenced were Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash. Well, one winter afternoon in December of 1956, that’s exactly what occurred when these four music trendsetters met unexpectedly at Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee. Though no one really knows all the details of what happened during that meeting, most are quite certain a jam session like no other took place, later earning the four the nickname “The Million Dollar Quartet”.

Currently playing at Harrah’s Showroom at Harrah’s Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas and at the Apollo Theatre in Chicago, Million Dollar Quartet brilliantly takes its audience into the Sun Records studio where it combines theatre with a truly entertaining rock and roll show. Filled with jaw-dropping singing and instrumental feats, Million Dollar Quartet in fact conveys the excitement of mid-1950’s rock music while at the same time providing viewers with a good feel for the time period itself. Let’s focus on the Las Vegas production, which is certainly on par with Chicago’s.

Million Dollar Quartet does not require elaborate set changes, taking place entirely in a recording studio (Sun) converted from an auto parts store. The show makes its mark as one of the hottest shows on stage thanks to its amazing musical performances, well-defined characters and a storyline that perfectly delivers the enthralled, but forceful supposition of “What could have been?” The story also points to the importance of Sun Records and their impact on the music world, mainly owner Sam Phillips (superbly played by Marc D. Donovan) and his ability to recognize and shape the talent of each recording artist, by having them reach inside themselves.

What contributes greatly in making Million Dollar Quartet so special is the incredible cast they managed to assemble. Not only does the Las Vegas cast deliver the personality traits and behaviors of each, including Jerry Lee Lewis’ dancing eyebrows and Elvis’ sneers and unique body language, but it is each actor’s ability to convincingly sing as their character along with their musicianship that takes this show to a much higher altitude.

At times, Martin Kaye literally makes the audience forget they are not watching the real Jerry Lee Lewis with his maniacal piano playing intertwined with the showmanship that helped the rockin’ pianist become famous. Robert Britton Lyon’s sizzling guitar licks and strong vocals makes a highly believable Carl Perkins, while Benjamin D. Hale nails Johnny Cash with spot on singing and his ability to capture his live qualities. Justin Shandor who first stuns the crowd with his accurate rendition of “That’s All Right” and then later seals the deal with a classic performance of “Hound Dog” plays Elvis Presley. The cast is rounded out by studio session players Fluke (Mark Ferratt) and Jay Perkins (Josh Jones) who are a show worth watching in their own right, and Felice Garcia plays Elvis’ Girlfriend Dyanne that joins in the jam session with a couple songs of her own including an inspired version of “Fever”.

Million Dollar Quartet starts off with a bang with “Blue Suede Shoes” and then continues to highlight memorable songs from each performer including “Folsom Prison Blues”, “Who Do You Love”, “Great Balls of Fire”, “Peace in the Valley” and many more. A good mix of concert and theatre, the show is heartfelt, entertaining and will be sure to leave a lasting impression, not to mention have many go searching through their record collection when they get home. This is definitely a show you want to check in while in Las Vegas that embodies rock n’ roll fun throughout and ends on a high note with its dynamic ending as a big Las Vegas show should.

Million Dollar Quartet is currently playing at Harrah’s Showroom in Las Vegas, the Apollo Theatre in Chicago and is also touring nationally. For more information visit www.milliondollarquartetlive.com.