**** Highly Recommended Although Million Dollar Quartet is one of my favorite shows, I’ve never seen a production quite like total MDQ experience at the brand new 98-seat Stolpe Island Theatre in Aurora. From the moment you walk in the door you’ll be immersed in Sun Records. In fact, you’ll be sitting IN the studio with Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis! Million Dollar Quartet was 90 minutes of pure fun. 4 BIG Spotlights
The new Stolpe Island Theatre occupies a suite on the first floor of the parking structure on Downer Place, facing the Fox River. Once inside, you’ll find yourself walking along a circa 1950 downtown Memphis street, complete with a soda shop and a motorcycle parked at the curb. When you’ve got your drink, you’ll walk into Sun Records office, then into the recording studio where you’ll sit alongside as the magic happens. By the way, keep an eye on the wall tiles for a really neat light show. Not to sound too cliché, but it is a one-of-a-kind experience.
As you probably already know, “Million Dollar Quartet” is based on a real event, an impromptu jam session involving Johnny Cash (Bill Scott Sheets), Carl Perkins (Christopher Wren), Elvis Presley (Alex Swindle) and Jerry Lee Lewis (Garrett Forrestal) at Sun Records Studio in Memphis on December 4, 1956.
From the control room, Marion (Haley Jane Schafer) welcomes everyone into the studio and reads the rules. For the rest of the show, she’s busy blowing bubbles and snapping her gum while she fiddles with the recording controls.
Sam Phillips (Sam Pearson), the owner of Sun Records, had discovered all four singers, and signed them to contracts at different times. In desperate need of cash to keep his business going, he sold Elvis Presley’s contract to RCA. Although he always regretted the need, the money kept his business going – and allowed him to invest in a new Memphis business venture called Holiday Inn!
On December 4th, newly signed Jerry Lee Lewis was eager to show off his talent with bass player Jay (Jake Saleh) and a drummer named Fluke (Dan Leali) playing backup. At the same time, Phillips was more aggravated at Carl Perkins for being late than he was in letting Jerry Lee loose. When Carl finally did walk into the studio for a recording session, he sneered at Jerry Lee. Then while Perkins was working on a song called Matchbox, Phillips decided the song needed piano backup and brought in Jerry Lee. Needless to say, the arrogant and very abrasive Lewis rubbed Perkins the wrong way.
Elvis Presley and his girlfriend, Dyanne (Madison Palmer) dropped in for a visit with Phillips because Presley wanted Phillips to come to RCA and manage his career. Perkins wasn’t thrilled to see Elvis because he already had grudge against Elvis for recording his song, Blue Suede Shoes, while he was in the hospital recovering from a near-fatal automobile accident. After that, no one remember it was his. When Johnny Cash walked in, he became the center of attention since Phillips had already planned a celebration in honor of him signing a new contract.
When the guys decided to jam, Phillips recorded the session. Million Dollar Quartet has great country, rockabilly and gospel music. In addition to singing Blue Suede Shoes, Brown Eyed Handsome Man and Down by the Riverside together, they each sing the lead in many of their individual hits.
In addition to Matchbox, Perkins leads in Who Do You Love and My Babe. Johnny Cash leads in Folsom Prison Blues, Sixteen Tons and I Walk the Line. Jerry Lee Lewis, announced his first song, then played and sang Great Balls of Fire. Elvis Presley, who was already a star, sang Long Tall Sally, Peace in the Valley and Party. Dyanne got in the act too, singing Peggy Lee’s hit, Fever, as well as I Hear You Knockin’.
As soon as they’re finished singing, Phillips poses the group for the now iconic picture, which is projected above them. This is not the end of the show, however, so don’t rush out! If you do, you’ll miss the fun.
It’s a concert after the musical, complete with an encore! After donning sequined jackets – and a sequined dress for Dyanne, Elvis Presley leads off with Hound Dog, Johnny Cash chimes in with Ghost Riders in the Sky, and finally, Carl Perkins sings his hit song, See You Later, Alligator. In a final encore, Jerry Lee Lewis rocks the house with Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On.
You just can’t help chair dancing through Million Dollar Quartet! Take your friends, even your teens, they’ll have a great time. If you don’t like rock and roll, don’t go!
Million Dollar Quartet runs through December 29th at the Stolp Island Theatre, 5 E. Downer Place, Suite G (facing the Fox River) Aurora. Parking in the adjacent garage is free for the first hour, $1 for each additional hour.
Running time is 90 minutes, no intermission. Performances are Wednesdays at 1:30 & 7:00 pm; Thursday at 7:00 pm; Fridays at 8:00 pm; Saturdays at 3:00 & 8:00 pm; Sundays at 1:00 & 5:30 pm. Tickets are $65. FYI (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com