The Million Dollar Quartet
The Fisher Theatre
Press Night: January 25, 2012
By
Alice LaPointe
The internationally acclaimed smash hit musical, Million Dollar Quartet’s National Tour, made its’ Detroit debut on January 24 and will run through February 5 at The Fisher Theatre in Detroit.
The scene takes the audience back in time to Tuesday, December 4, 1956, when Sam Phillips, the “Father of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” brings together four legendary musicians that Sam had catapulted into world renowned musical superstars, for the first and last time. For one night at Sun Records’, in a rudimentary, one-room studio in Memphis, Tennessee, Sam arranges the greatest “million dollar” rock ‘n’ roll jam session of all time with Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley.
Phillips, way ahead of his time, took an active role in nurturing and encouraging new, inexperienced artists to search and find the inner depth and “soul” of their music because he truly believed that was what would make them unique and successful. Phillips began his studio business by recording singers like B.B. King, Ike Turner and in later years, Roy Orbison and Charlie Rich. Phillips had no use for imitation, but was a pioneer in striving for innovation and played a key role in reinventing the culture of music for that era and even today.
The musical tale explores the true stories of the joy, heartbreak and misunderstandings in their relationships with each other from broken promises, secrets, betrayals and celebrations that intertwine with rock, R&B, gospel and country hits that include, “ Folsom Prison Blues,” “Hound dog,” ” Blue Suede Shoes,” “Fever,” “That’s All Right,” “Sixteen Tons,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “I Walk the Line,” “Who Do You Love,” “Matchbox” and a “Whole Lotta Shakin Goin On.”
The TMDQ Detroit Company comprised of Lee Ferris as Carl Perkins, Martin Kaye as Jerry Lee Lewis, Derek Keeling as Johnny Cash, Billy Woodward as Elvis Presley, Christopher Ryan Grant as Sam Phillips and Kelly Lamont as Dyanne, were applauded by their “50 something” audience, wanting more from the cast with multiple standing ovations. The entire cast’s stellar performances in their portrayal of the iconic stars in their vocal, instrumental and acting abilities, as well as, their professional talent to replicate the serious and humorous character sides of their roles were riveting and memorable.
The Million Dollar Quartet is a must see for anyone that enjoys live theater and, of course, the unforgettable music of Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash or Carl Perkins. Tickets can be purchased at the Fisher Theatre Box Office and all Ticketmaster locations by phone at 1-800-982-2787 and online at www.ticketmaster.com or www.broadwayindetroit.com.
