Million Dollar Quartet is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized performance materials are supplied by Theatrical Rights Worldwide 1180 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 640, New York, NY 10036. www.theatricalrights.com
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Where the Soul of Man Never Dies
By now, many of us are familiar with the day that Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis stopped by Sun Records in Memphis, TN and had a legendary jam session that became known as the Million Dollar Quartet.
But on December 4th, 1956, these four were at the beginning of their careers…far from the icons we know today.
They had a few things in common–they all grew up in the deep south, they all grew up listening to blues and gospel music, and they were all discovered by the owner of a small record label named Sam Phillips.
When Sam Phillips opened the Memphis Recording Service in 1950 (which became Sun Records), it was mostly a blues label that gave black musicians a place to record without having to travel to Chicago. Here, he made the early recordings of blues legends like Howlin’ Wolf and B.B King.
So it’s no wonder that he would be the man to spot the potential of these four performers.
He saw something in each of them that they didn’t know they had…and he knew how to bring it out of them.
And on this day in 1956, we find Sam Phillips (and, indeed, music history) on the eve of great change. He’s trying desperately to hold on to his stars that will save Sun Records, and they’re trying desperately to take the next step in their careers. After today, their lives will never be the same.
And yet, even under these circumstances, it’s still about one thing for each of them: the music.
Music is a time machine. Nothing brings us back to specific moments in our lives like music.
So enjoy this journey as we go back to the moment that rock and roll was born and where, in the words of Sam Phillips, “the soul of man never dies.”
- Nicholas Piper, Director of Million Dollar Quartet
Carl Perkins
Will Riddle*
Johnny Cash
Peter Oyloe*
Jerry Lee Lewis
Dominique Scott*
Elvis Presley
Nick Voss*
Sam Phillips
Adam Poole*
Brother Jay (Bass)
Justin Bendel
Fluke (Drummer)
Mike Lucchetti
Dyane
Cali Newman
*Denotes member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors, and Stage Managers in the United States.
Understudies never substitute for listed actors unless a specific announcement for the appearance is made at the time of the performance.
Director
Nicholas Piper
Scenic Designer
Derek Smith
Costume Designer
Lee Alexander Martin
Lighting Designer
John Ambrosone+
Sound Designer
Joe Court+
Stage Manager
Megan Ward*
Producing Artistic Director of Barter Theatre
Katy Brown
* Denotes members of the Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors, and Stage Managers in the United States.
+ Member of United Scenic Artists, Local 829
Blue Suede Shoes - Company
Real Wild Child - Jerry Lee Lewis
Matchbox - Carl Perkins
Who Do You Love? - Carl Perkins
Folsom Prison Blues - Johnny Cash
Fever - Dyanne
Memories Are Made of This - Elvis Presley
That's All Right - Elvis Presley
Brown Eyed Handsome Man - Company
Down by the Riverside - Company
Sixteen Tons - Johnny Cash
My Babe - Carl Perkins
Long Tall Sally - Elvis Presley
Peace in the Valley - Company
I Walk the Line - Johnny Cash
I Hear You Knockin' - Dyanne
Party (Let’s Have A Party) – Company
Great Balls of Fire - Jerry Lee Lewis
Down by the Riverside (Reprise) - Company
Hound Dog - Elvis Presley
Ghost Riders in the Sky! - Johnny Cash
See You Later, Alligator - Carl Perkins and Company
Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On - Jerry Lee Lewis and Company
Production Assistant - Natasha Carpenter
Gilliam Stage Electrician - Harper Fulmer
Production Assistant - Hannah Easton
Stage Carpenter - Eli Hancock
Production Assistant - Amelia Heastings
Production Assistant - AnnaRae Martin
Wardrobe Supervisor - Emily Murray
Audio Visual Supervisor - Stefanie M. Senior
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