By Zach Dunkin
On the night it happened on Dec. 4, 1956 no one would ever have ever imagined the historical importance of four young musicians gathering at the Sun Records studio in Memphis. Historians have since called it one of the greatest jam sessions in rock ‘n’ roll history. Imagine icons Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins trading vocals and instrumental riffs under the direction of Sun Records owner and producer Sam Phillips.
In a show that debuted on Broadway in 2010, the Tony Award-winning “Million Dollar Quartet” musical will bring that legendary night to life, featuring a 20-plus score of hits including, “Blue Suede Shoes,” “That’s All Right,” “Walk the Line,” “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On’” at Actors Theatre of Indiana from Sept. 16 through Oct. 2. It will be an Indiana premier.
Veteran New York director D.J. Salisbury said audiences for “Million Dollar Quartet” have ranged mostly from millennial and GenY-ers to baby boomers and Octogenarians.
“There’s something about the origin of rock ‘n roll that fascinates all ages,” explained Salisbury. “People who don’t necessary go to music theater will go see shows like ‘The Buddy Holly Story’ or the ‘Million Dollar Quartet’ because Americans have such a close relationship with rock ‘n’ roll history.
“I always enjoy seeing 35-year-olds who were 15 in 1956 get up and dance in the aisles like they were teenagers again.”
The main cast includes Brandon Alstott (Indianapolis) as Cash; Taylor Gray (Syracuse, N.Y.) as Lewis; Jeremy Sevelovitz (New York) as Perkins; Adam Tran (Indianapolis) as Presley; and Carmel’s Don Farrell as Phillips.
This is not an impersonators show, Salisbury said.
“It’s important to be in the ballpark with the characters, but I think the audience understands very quickly that this show is not about impersonating the original performers,” Salisbury said.
He described “Million Dollar Quartet” as a story featuring music rather than musical theater where the songs are sung between the actors as they tell the story without any direct communication.
“This play exists to package these amazing pieces of music that helped create rock ‘n roll,” he said. “We attempt to produce something that could have happened on that night in ‘56. Nothing has been trumped up to create drama. It’s like a bunch of people hanging out, and you are there with those guys on that night.”
For tickets, visit atistage.org.
