At Lone Tree, ‘Million Dollar Quartet’ visits a storied day in rock ‘n’ roll history

On December 4, 1956, the stars aligned at Sun Record Studios in Memphis, when four rock ‘n’ roll and country legends came together for an unforgettable jam session that changed music history. That event’s recreation is on stage at Lone Tree Arts Center in a stellar production of the jukebox musical Million Dollar Quartet.

Directed by Tony Award nominee Randal Myler and musical director Dominique Scott, the production is off the charts from the opening number, “Blue Suede Shoes,” sung by Carl Perkins (Jeremy Sevelovitz), Johnny Cash (Peter Oyloe), Jerry Lee Lewis (Dom Scott), and Elvis Presley (Nick Voss).

Sun Record Studios was under the watchful eye of owner Sam Phillips (Charlton James), who originally discovered the famous group assembled on that December day, along with a myriad of other legendary musicians.

Elvis stopped by Sun Record Studio with his then-girlfriend, Dyanne (Trenna Barnes), on what turned out to be a magical day. Before this meeting, however, Sam Phillips had lost Elvis to RCA Victor Records. The established songster Carl Perkins was there to record a song with newbie Jerry Lee Lewis, and Johnny Cash hoped to spend a few minutes with Phillips. Little did Phillips know this day held further news that would resound throughout the industry.

The four gifted actors playing the musical stars leave an indelible mark on the audience, capturing the essence of each famous singer through subtle yet impressive representations of their counterpart’s musical and physical manifestations.

(L-R) Dom Scott, Peter Oyloe, Trenna Barnes, Nick Voss and Jeremy Sevelovitz in ‘Million Dollar Quartet’ | Photo: Moon Night Photography

All the hits

Singing hits such as “Hound Dog” and “That’s Alright Mama,” Voss is mesmerizing as Elvis. Sevelovitz sings “Matchbox” and “See You Later Alligator” as Perkins with intense conviction while discounting the new singer, Jerry Lee Lewis, along the way.  Scott has all the right moves as Lewis and brings the house down with his rendition of “Great Balls of Fire.”  Dressed in black with neatly slicked hair, Oyloe gives a transcendent performance as Johnny Cash singing “Folsom Prison Blues” and “I Walk the Line,” among others.

James, as Sam Phillips, the story’s raconteur, is the glue holding it all together. In a non-singing role, James holds his own against the musical powerhouses he discovered and signed to Sun Record Studios. His emotional performance drives the storyline with maximum intensity during good and bad times.

Rounding out the cast is Dyanne, played by Barnes, who offers red-hot songs of her own, including “Fever” and “I Hear You Knockin’.” Daniel Bailey and Mike Lucchetti are the accompanying musicians on bass and drum, providing a solid rhythm section for the singers.

Director Myler hits a home run with Million Dollar Quartet, creating a powerful and engaging musical experience. The show vibrates with raw energy and nostalgia, leaving the audience on their feet during not one but two encore songs.

It’s all about the music, and with no fewer than 24 musical numbers, music director Dominque Scott, choreographer Candy Brown and director Myler bring each song to life with a focused intensity. Million Dollar Quartet is a fun trip back in time to the earliest days of rock ‘n’ roll, and this production is a well-executed homage to the genre.