On December 4th 1956, one man brought Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley to play together for the first – and only – time.
His name was Sam Phillips; the place was Sun Records and that night they made rock ‘n’ roll history.
Million Dollar Quartet became the name for the impromptu jam session between the four greats of rock ‘n’ roll when an album of the previously unheard recording was released in 1981.
Now, based on the true story of that night, Million Dollar Quartet is a Tony Award-winning Broadway musical and West End hit and is on its first ever UK tour hitting Leeds Grand Theatre from Monday 7th to Saturday 12th November this year.
At the time of the recording Elvis Presley is already a star – albeit now with RCA records, Phillips having sold him for $35,000 – Johnny Cash has had a host of hits with Sun Records/Sam Phillips, Carl Perkins has had success with his song Blue Suede Shoes and Jerry Lee Lewis is an unknown; though not for much longer.
Set in a single room studio, Million Dollar Quartet is narrated by Sam Phillips, played by Jason Donovan. He switches from speaking directly to the audience, giving them the history of Sun Records and its signings, to the heart of the play, exchanging stories and witticisms with the quartet of rock ‘n’ roll stars and then steps back completely allowing Elvis, Carl, Johnny and Jerry to perform.
The show is backed by a score of rock hits including Blue Suede Shoes, Hound Dog, I Walk The Line and Great Balls of Fire all played and sung live by the cast.
Elvis, Carl, Johnny and Jerry brought to life not only through the actors’ singing, musical talent and embodiment of each well-known character, but through its script written by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux.
“You’d be forgiven for thinking that there is only one person who can play the piano like Jerry Lee Lewis – and that’s Jerry Lee Lewis,” The Grand’s PR Manager, Faye Dawson, says. “Well it turns out there are two; Martin Kaye is out of this world.”
Martin Kaye played the role of Jerry Lee Lewis on the first North American tour of Million Dollar Quartet which, after a year and a half, led him to open the Las Vegas Production at Harrah’s. Martin has received countless accolades and the award for Best Actor by Vegas Seven Magazine.
Robbie Durham performs as Johnny Cash. His stage credits include Sunny Afternoon (Harold Pinter Theatre); Dreamboats and Petticoats (West End & UK tour); Kiss Me, Kate (Upstairs at the Gatehouse).
Ross William Wild joins the cast as Elvis Presley. Recent roles include Norman in Dreamboats and Miniskirts (UK Tour), Michael in The Witches of Eastwick (The Watermill Theatre), Jason in the European Premiere of BARE (Union Theatre and Greenwich Theatre in London) and Kenickie in Grease (National tour).
Matt Wycliffe appears as Carl Perkins. Stage credits include Outspan Foster in The Commitments (Palace Theatre) Bob Guadio in Jersey Boys (Prince Edward Theatre, WhatsOnStage Award nomination), Buddy in The Buddy Holly Story (Duchess Theatre).
Katie Ray is Dyanne. Her stage credits include Beauty in Beauty and the Beast (Central Theatre Chatham), Wendy in Peter Pan (Grand Canal Theatre, Dublin and Mayflower Theatre, Southampton), Truly Scrumptious in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (UK Tour), Liesl in The Sound of Music (Royal Palladium).
“Each of the cast is superb, giving performances that blow you away,” continues Faye. “The show is a wonderful insight into one night in rock ‘n’ roll history and all its players; If you like rock ‘n’ roll and its roots, Million Dollar Quartet is most definitely for you.”
Million Dollar Quartet is at Leeds Grand Theatre from Monday 7th to Saturday 12th November
Tickets are on sale now priced from £19.50 to £38
Book online at leedsgrandtheatre.com or call box office on 0844 848 2700