ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill.—A historical event in the history of rock ‘n’ roll like no other took place on the afternoon of Dec. 4, 1956 in the recording studio of Sun Records, Memphis Tennessee.
This chance occurrence that brought Elvis Presley (Keegan Sells), Johnny Cash (Dom Alesia), Carl Perkins (Joey Chelius), and Jerry Lee Lewis (Austin Dean Shaw) together was made into a electrifying jukebox musical with the appropriate title of “Million Dollar Quartet” in 2006. The rollicking show was an immediate hit and continues to be a popular homage to the musical era that some believe personified 1950s America. In a fantastic revival, the swinging, upbeat show is now playing at the Metropolis Theatre Center.
Well directed by Michael Rader, the realistic set has gold records spread across the walls and Christmas lights framing the sound booth.
Sam Phillips (Eric K. Roberts), the founder of Sun Records and narrator, explains how he discovered each ambitious Southern boy and how their relationships were established. It’s moving when Phillips talks about having to sell Elvis’s contract to RCA to save Sun Records from having close its doors, and how Elvis had a terrible time breaking into Las Vegas where he bombed as the opening act for Shecky Greene.
Another moving moment is a scene between Cash and Phillips. After Cash has broken into the big time and his contract with Phillips is about to expire, Phillips hands Cash an extension on the contract. Cash regrets being unable to sign it. Amid of all this, Phillips brings a new discovery into his mix of songbirds, a wild man on the piano—Jerry Lee Lewis.
The highlight of the show, though, is the four performers playing these rock ‘n’ roll heroes. Keegan Sells delivers a swinging, swiveling, exhilarating Elvis that wows the audience, especially when he broke out into “That’s All Right Mama” and a spiritual “There Will Be Peace in the Valley.”
Joey Chelius is a wonder as Carl Perkins; Austin Dean Shaw has the best part as Jerry Lee Lewis, especially with “Great Balls of Fire”; and Dom Alesia is the stand out for a terrific impersonation of Johnny Cash. Close you eyes and you swear you’re listening to the man in black. In addition, Brian Johnson plays the drummer W.S. Fluke Hollard, and Cody Siragusa portrays Carl Perkins’s brother on the bass.
This would be a terrific show if it featured only one of the quartet. But a homage to four iconic rock stars sends this show into the music stratosphere. Those who grew up in the era of rock ‘n’ roll will love this wonderfully nostalgic musical and younger folks who want to know why rock had such an impact on their elders will not want to miss it.
