Million Dollar Quartet is the latest smash Broadway musical to visit Detroit courtesy of the Broadway in Detroit series. If you’ve followed its success, you know that this play was inspired by a little miracle that happened on December 4th, 1956. On that day in Memphis, four rock ‘n’ roll icons joined in a recording session at the humble Sun Records studio – Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins.
Although some Motown fans may associate these performers with country music, this is a show for anyone who loves rock ‘n’ roll and appreciates its roots. (Consider – three of the songs in this show were covered by the Beatles, who cited Carl Perkins and the American rockabilly sound as a major inspiration.) This fascinating history lesson is told by the ‘Father of Rock ‘n’ Roll’ Sam Phillips (played by Christopher Ryan Grant) who founded Sun Records, discovered all four of the musical legends and launched their careers.
The story of the Million Dollar Quartet all takes place on that single December evening, but musical flashbacks help capture the moment that Phillips first saw the genius within each future star. And the fun for everyone in the audience, who know how the stories ultimately play out, is seeing these fabled entertainers as young men with the entire world before them.
The list of musical numbers reads like a cable TV commercial promoting a ‘Best of the ‘50s’ CD collection: ‘Blue Suede Shoes,’ ‘That’s All Right,’ ‘Great Balls of Fire,’ ‘I Walk the Line,’ ‘Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,’ ‘Who Do You Love?,’ ‘Matchbox,’ ‘Folsom Prison Blues,’ ‘Hound Dog’ …
But wait … there’s more…
This show isn’t just a bunch of actors pantomiming the parts. These are serious musicians. Amazing musicians. And every single note is created live by the people on stage.
Lee Ferris nails Carl Perkin’s distinctive electric guitar vibe and patented rockabilly vocals. Per history, he is backed by a standup slap-bass (Chuck Zayas, who performs as Perkins’ brother Jay) and drummer Billy Shaffer (as Fluke, a role he played in the original member Chicago cast).
Derek Keeling, as Johnny Cash, dishes out notes so sweet and low you’d like to curl up and take a nap in them. And of course, he makes his six-string chug like a freight train, just the way the Man in Black did.
Jerry Lee Lewis – the brash new kid in the Sun studio that night – is captured perfectly by British-born performer Martin Kaye, whose explosive, gymnastic piano playing seems right on par with Lewis himself.
For the first part of this Detroit run, Billy Woodward does the honors as Elvis Presley; he has both the musicianship and the moves to make it work. Cody Slaughter, who was named ‘Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist of 2011’ takes over the role beginning January 31.
Kelly Lamont appears as Elvis’ girlfriend Dyanne, who delivers a steamy version of ‘Fever’.
All in all, this is just a rockin' good time.
As we were leaving the Fisher Theatre, we overheard another patron say that they’d seen the show twice in New York and enjoyed it as much in Detroit.
Believe it.
Million Dollar Quartet runs through February 5th at the Fisher Theatre, with evening shows on Tuesday through Saturday at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday at 7:30 p.m., plus Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m.
Ticket prices range from $29to $79and are available at the Fisher Theatre box office, all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 1-800-982-2787, and online. For additional information, call (313) 872-1000 or visit the Broadway in Detroit website.
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