Last week, I attended the thrilling opening night of MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET at Walnut Street Theatre (WST). With smash hits and a story inspired by one of the greatest recording sessions in rock ‘n’ roll history, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET is a must-see show! This production only runs through November 2.

This is an electrifying story of the night Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis came together to make music and ended up making history. Inspired by the actual events that took place on December 4, 1956, at Sun Records in Memphis, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET is an engaging musical about a story of fame, friendship, discovery, divided loyalties, professional jealousy and incredible music.

The legendary meeting of the four musicians was masterminded by Sun Records’ founder, Sam Phillips, who brought them together to create music as a group for the first and only time in their careers. The show features over 20 smash-hits from a golden era of music including “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Fever,” “Walk the Line,” “Sixteen Tons,” “Who Do You Love?,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “Hound Dog,” and more. 

First premiering on Broadway in 2010 after record-breaking runs in Florida, Washington, and Chicago, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET quickly captured the attention and admiration of both audiences and critics, earning Tony nominations for Best Musical and Best Book. This jukebox musical, full of chart-topping hits inspired by rock ‘n’ roll Hall of Famers ELVIS PRESLEY, JOHNNY CASH, JERRY LEE LEWIS, and CARL PERKINS, features a book by COLIN ESCOTT and FLOYD MUTRUX, with original concept and direction by FLOYD MUTRUX.

The show later made its West End debut at the Noël Coward Theatre in 2011. Over 15 years later, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET continues to impress and delight audiences all around the world.

WST’s production is directed by longtime Walnut collaborator and favorite FRAN PRISCO. After 42 productions on the Walnut stages, Prisco makes his well-deserved directorial debut on the Walnut Mainstage. Prisco has previously directed WST’s productions of A Steady Rain and My Way in Walnut Street Theatre’s Independence Studio on 3 and most recently directed at the Fulton Theatre. In addition to leading the cast as director, Prisco takes on the role of Sam Phillips, the owner of Sun Records. His other WST roles include last season’s ELF The Broadway Musical and Jersey Boys.

Portraying the four legends commonly referred to as the Quartet are MATTEO SCAMMELL (Jimmy Buffett’s Escape to Margaritaville)as Elvis Presley, BRIAN MICHAEL HENRY and PAUL HARROLD in their Walnut debuts as Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins respectively, and KEN SANDBERG (Jersey Boys) as Johnny Cash.

KATHRYN BRUNNER (ELF The Broadway Musical) takes on the role of Dyanne, a singer and girlfriend of Elvis’. STEVE HARDING makes his Walnut debut as Jay Perkins, brother to Carl Perkins. Associate Director JON ROSSI makes his own Walnut debut as Fluke.  

For tickets and information, visit WalnutStreetTheatre.org or Ticketmaster.com or call 215-574-3550.

Photo Credit: Brian Michael Henry, Paul Harrold, Matteo Scammell, and Ken Sandberg. Photo by Ashley Smith, Wide Eyed Studios.