As a devoted fan of rock ‘n’ roll’s early pioneers, I had a terrific time at “Million Dollar Quartet,” the hit Broadway musical playing through Oct. 23 at the Palace Theatre in Playhouse Square Center.
If you not a musical-theater fan, don’t let the word Broadway put you off. This show is first and foremost a top-flight, crowd-pleasing rock ‘n’ roll concert packed with classic tunes.
“Million Dollar Quartet” is based upon a historic event, the night of Dec. 4, 1956, when Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins wound up together at Sun Records’ storefront recording studio in Memphis, the humble place each of their careers were born. A casual jam session ensues among these young upstarts, each at the top of their game.
What makes the production so memorable — aside from its vigorous parade of hit songs such as “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Great Balls of Fire” and “Hound Dog” — are the performances of the men cast as these four Rock and Roll Hall of Famers.
In looks, vocals, moves, spirit and charisma, Cody Slaughter is a dead ringer for the Presley who had the entire country stirred up in ’56. He’s great to watch throughout, and the resemblance is mesmerizing.
Martin Kaye, an Englishman incidentally, all but steals the show as the cocky and supremely confident Jerry Lee. He pounds the piano with finesse, delivers “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” like a champ and is plenty funny throughout.
Derek Keeling doesn’t look just like Johnny Cash — he more closely resembles actor John Stamos, not a bad thing — but he has Cash’s deep and resonant vocal style down pat, along with the Man in Black’s lowdown swagger.
As Carl Perkins, the least recognizable of the quartet, Lee Ferris displays a brash personality, a rock-solid singing voice and prowess on the electric guitar.
These guys aren’t slavish imitators either. They live and breathe on that stage, kidding around between songs, comparing notes on the frustrations of stardom, and trading vocals and guitar licks with ease. Each plays his own instrument, with upright bassist Chuck Zayas and drummer Billy Shaffer rounding out the onstage band in fine rockabilly form.
The other major character is Sam Phillips, the owner of Sun Records who discovered each of these future rock legends. Convincingly played by Christopher Ryan Grant, Phillips makes some dramatic discoveries over the course of this famous night. Rounding out the cast is Kelly Lamont as Presley’s girlfriend of the moment, a vocalist named Dyanne. Lamont delivers a couple of potent vocals of her own, on a sultry “Fever” and a barn-burning “I Hear You Knocking.”
While there between-song interludes, the brisk and intermission-less show delivers 23 musical numbers, including “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Who Do You Love,” “I Walk the Line,” “Sixteen Tons,” “Long Tall Sally” and “Real Wild Child” and “Brown-Eyed Handsome Man.” The four harmonize vocally to perfection on “Down By the Riverside.” The finale is a rip-roaring rouser that left me wanting more.
Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, and 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets, $10 to $75, are on sale at www.playhousesquare.org and 216-241-6000.
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