Million Dollar Quartet – LIVE!

“Great balls of fire! Here’s a hit. A palpable hit.” –

Chris Jones, The Chicago Tribune

The Million Dollar Quartet - Live!

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET

THE NEW MUSICAL

Book By COLIN ESCOTT and FLOYD MUTRUX

Original Concept and Direction By FLOYD MUTRUX

Featuring
EDDIE CLENDENING, LANCE GUEST, LEVI KREIS, & ROBERT BRITTON LYONS

with ELIZABETH STANLEY

and
HUNTER FOSTER

Directed by
ERIC SCHAEFFER

Official opening on April 11, 2010
At Broadway’s Nederlander Theatre

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, a new musical, is currently in previews at Broadway‘s Nederlander Theatre (208 West 41 Street) with an official opening on Sunday, April 11.The cast includes Eddie Clendening (Elvis Presley), Lance Guest (Johnny Cash), Levi Kreis (Jerry Lee Lewis), Robert Britton Lyons (Carl Perkins), Hunter Foster (Sam Phillips) and Elizabeth Stanley (Dyanne).

On December 4, 1956, an auspicious twist of fate brought Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Elvis Presley together. The place was Sun Records‘ storefront studio in Memphis. The man who made it happen was Sam Phillips, the ―Father of Rock and Roll,  who discovered them all. The four young musicians united for the only time in their careers for an impromptu recording that has come to be known as one of the greatest rock jam sessions of all time.

Inspired by the actual event, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET features a treasure trove of the greatest rock and roll, gospel, R&B and country hits from these musicians, including such iconic songs as Blue Suede Shoes, Fever, Sixteen Tons, Who Do You Love?, Great Balls of Fire, Riders in the Sky, I Walk the Line, Folsom Prison Blues, and Whole Lotta Shakin‘ Goin‘ On. MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET captures the infectious spirit, freewheeling excitement and thrilling sounds of a singular moment when four of the music industry‘s most extraordinary talents, all in their creative prime, came together for one of the most memorable nights in music history.

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET is directed by Eric Schaeffer, features a book by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux, and was originally directed and conceived by Mutrux. The design team for Broadway includes: Derek McLane (scenic design), Howell Binkley (lighting design), Jane Greenwood (costume design), Kai Harada (sound design) and Chuck Mead (musical arrangements and supervision).

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET is produced by Relevant Theatricals, John Cossette Productions, American Pop Anthology, Broadway Across America, and James L. Nederlander.

For information about the Chicago production of MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, visit www.MillionDollarQuartetLive.com .

Follow MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET news on Twitter @milliondquartet and on Facebook

TICKET INFORMATION:
Tickets for MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET are available online www.TicketMaster.com , by calling 212-307-4100, or by visiting the Nederlander Box Office (208 West 41st Street).

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET‘s performance schedule is Tuesday at 8 PM, Thursday through Saturday at 8 PM and Sunday at 7 PM. Matinees on Wednesday and Saturday at 2 PM and Sunday at 3 PM. Beginning Tuesday, April 13 the performance schedule will be Tuesday at 7PM, Thursday through Saturday at 8 PM and Sunday at 7 PM. Matinees on Wednesday and Saturday at 2 PM and Sunday at 3 PM.

BIOGRAPHIES:
EDDIE CLENDENING (Elvis Presley) brings with him over a decade of stage experience. He has played alongside Elvis alumni Scotty Moore, D.J. Fontana and James Burton, not to mention rock ‘n‘ roll greats like Pat Cupp, Hayden Thompson, Billy Lee Riley, Jimmy Lee Fautheree, Wanda Jackson, Jerry Lee Lewis, Eddie Bond, Little Richard, Dale Hawkins, Joe Clay, and scores of others. Eddie has toured as a featured guitarist/vocalist in several nationally known combos. His band, Eddie Clendening & The Blue Ribbon Boys, have been in demand all across the United States, Europe and Asia. With several musical releases under his belt and a brand new full length album just released, he is proud to be a part of the Million Dollar Quartet family and equally excited for the chance to present the show to a Broadway audience. Check out his music at: www.myspace.com/eddieclendening

LANCE GUEST (Johnny Cash) has played Cash in every incarnation of Million Dollar Quartet. A veteran of theatre, TV and film, he has done regional work in New York, North Carolina, New Mexico, Florida, Washington, and the San Francisco Bay Area, as well as over 20 new works, and a handful of classics in L.A. He also played guitar and banjo with the touring satirical folk quartet The Foremen from 1997-2000. Notable TV appearances include ―Jericho,‖ ―House,‖ ―NYPD Blue,‖ ―JAG,‖ ―Becker,‖ ―The X-Files,‖ ―Life Goes On,‖ ―The Wonder Years,‖ and ―Knot’s Landing.‖ Lead roles on film include The Last Starfighter, Jaws: The Revenge, Halloween II, as well as the independent films: The Roommate, The Wizard of Loneliness, Plan B, Mach II, and most recently: The Least of These, and the Vietnam drama 21 and A Wake Up. He got his first record, Johnny Cash at San Quentin at age nine from his older brother and learned guitar at age 10. He also plants vineyards and makes wine in California. He wishes to thank the lovely Danna, and their son Jack.

LEVI KREIS (Jerry Lee Lewis) is thrilled to be bringing his portrayal of Jerry Lee Lewis to Broadway after originating the role in Chicago. Levi received a Jeff Award nomination for ―Best Supporting Actor‖ in Million Dollar Quartet. Levi‘s junior album Where I Belong was released on May 5, 2009 and welcomed worldwide. Where I Belong has brought international radio attention, television appearances, headlining performances, and enthusiastic reviews for what is Levi‘s most congruent album to date. Where I Belong infuses down home southern soul with his pop sensibilities. Levi was voted #1 video of 2009 on MTV’s Logo Network. After a 16 week #1 stretch for ―Hardly A Hero,‖ it was included on the recently released Kiss The Bride movie soundtrack. Levi released his debut album One of the Ones in 2005 following an appearance on NBC‘s hit reality show ―The Apprentice‖ with Donald Trump. Songs from his debut CD have been featured on ―The Apprentice,‖ ―Days of Our Lives,‖ and ―The Young and The Restless.‖ His sophomore CD released in 2006, The Gospel According To Levi, garnered more television and film placement and a music video for the single ―We‘re Okay‖ which held the #1 position for nine weeks on MTV‘s Logo Network. With over 300 appearances in 2006-07, Levi has shared the stage with Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock, Snoop Dog, Farrel, Collective Soul and opened for Cyndi Lauper at Wrigley Field. Levi‘s 1997 move to Los Angeles found him cast as ―Roger‖ in a National Tour of Rent where he unexpectedly discovered his love for acting. Levi was cast as one of the musical leads in the award-winning independent film Don’t Let Go. After completing a few short films, Levi was invited to work with Bill Paxton and Matthew McConaughey in Paxton‘s directorial debut Frailty where Levi played the emotional role of ‗Adam Meiks.‘ 2009-2010 brings a new music video for Levi‘s second single ―Nothing At All,‖ a song recently featured on FX‘s hit series ―Sons of Anarchy,‖ a remix CD of his first hit single ―Gonna Be Alright,‖ and much more. Visit: http://www.levikreis.com

ROBERT BRITTON LYONS (Carl Perkins) is excited to make his Broadway debut playing ‗Carl Perkins,‘ a role he has had the pleasure of creating in Million Dollar Quartet. A singer-songwriter born in Seattle, Rob has shared the stage with an impressive collection of musicians whose other projects include Pearl Jam, Harvey Danger, and Santana, to name a few. Most recently, he has been seen around Chicago sitting in as both a singer and instrumentalist with some of the finest blues artists the city has to offer. As ‗Carl Perkins,‘ he is able to pay homage to one of the most influential musicians of our time while bringing to life the passion and undeniable energy of the early Sun Records‘ catalog.

ELIZABETH STANLEY (Dyanne) is delighted to be back in New York City, after starring as ‗Kira‘ in the first national tour of Xanadu. On Broadway she has created the roles of ‗Allison‘ in the John Water‘s musical, Cry-Baby, and ‗April‘ in the Tony Award®-winning revival of Company. Her television credits include guest star appearances on ―Fringe,‖ and ―The Chappelle Show,‖ as well as ―PBS Great Performances‖ (‗April‘ in Company). She has performed many leading roles regionally across the country (Pioneer Theatre Company, O‘Neill Festival, La Jolla Playhouse, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park) – most recently appearing as ‗Constanze‘ in Amadeus at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (Kevin Kline nomination). Elizabeth is a graduate of the Indiana University School of Music. PEACE.

HUNTER FOSTER (Sam Phillips). Broadway: Leo Bloom in The Producers, Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors (Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critic nominations), Bobby Strong in Urinetown (Outer Critic nomination), Les Miserables, Grease, Footloose and King David. Off-Broadway: Ordinary Days, Happiness (Drama Desk Nomination), Frankenstein, Dust, Modern Orthodox, Urinetown (Lucie Lortel nomination). Regional: Kiss of the Spider Woman (Signature Theatre—Helen Hayes Nomination), The Government Inspector (Guthrie) Mister Roberts (Kennedy Center), Children of Eden (Papermill), Moon Over Buffalo (Cape Playhouse), Lend Me a Tenor (Cape Playhouse), Martin Guerre, (Guthrie). National Tours: Cats, Martin Guerre, The Producers. As a writer, wrote the books for the musicals, Summer of ’42, which opened Off-Broadway in 2001, Bonnie and Clyde: a Folktale at the 2008 New York Musical Theatre Festival, and most recently The Hollow, which premiered this summer at the Signature Theatre in Arlington, Virginia. Hunter is a graduate of the University of Michigan.

ERIC SCHAEFFER (Director) is the Artistic Director/Co-Founder of Signature Theatre, Washington D.C., recipient of the 2009 Tony Award® Regional Theatre, and home to the American Musical Voices Project, the largest musical commission program in the country. Productions include: the world premieres of The Hollow, First You Dream, Saving Aimee, Nevermore; the American premiers of The Fix and The Witches of Eastwick as well as Les Miserables, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Sweeney Todd, Into The Woods among others. Broadway; Putting It Together, Glory Days. West End: The Witches of Eastwick. Kennedy Center: Artistic Director – Sondheim Celebration; Sunday in the Park with George, Passion, Mame and Follies. Regional: Mark Taper Forum, Goodman Theatre, Ford‘s Theatre and Arena Stage.

COLIN ESCOTT (Co-Author). Born in England, Colin Escott lives near Nashville, Tennessee. He is the author of several books, including Good Rockin’ Tonight–Sun Records and the Birth of Rock ‘n’ Roll, the first in-depth account of the Sun Records story. He coproduced Hank Williams: Honky Tonk Blues for PBS and BBC, and won a Grammy Award® for The Complete Hank Williams on Mercury Records. He is a consultant to Time Life Music.

FLOYD MUTRUX (Co-Author, original concept and direction), apprenticed at Alley Theater, Houston, Second City, Chicago, studied in NY while working at Second City and attending Colombia University, in Los Angeles, created idea, wrote, directed, or produced fifty films in 25 years, American Hot Wax (Best Picture, Director, Village Voice, etc.), Scarecrow (Best Film, Cannes), Hollywood Knights, Urban Cowboy, The Untouchables, American Me, Freebie and the Bean, Up in Smoke, Dick Tracy, Ice Cube‘s new football movie, and with his wife, Birgitte, created a rock ‗n‘ roll Field of Dreams, Moon Over Memphis. (floydmutrux.com)

CHUCK MEAD (Musical Arrangements and Supervision). For the past fifteen years singer/songwriter Chuck Mead has stood at the forefront of the Americana roots music movement as co-founder and front man of three – time Grammy® nominated and Country Music Association Award winning country band BR-549. After five acclaimed albums, two hit EPs, Chuck released his first solo record ―Jouneyman‘s Wager‖ in 2009 and continues to tour the world. Also known as a record producer, MDQ is Chuck‘s first foray into musical theater.

# # # #
www.MillionDollarQuartetLive.com
Follow MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET news on Twitter @milliondquartet and on Facebook