Million Dollar Quartet Comes to the State Theatre

Million Dollar Quartet, the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical inspired by the electrifying true story of four rock 'n' roll icons, makes its Minnesota debut at Hennepin Theatre Trust's State Theatre, March 27-April 1, 2012. Delivering the legendary night of the famed recording session that brought together Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins for the first and only time, this dynamic new production showcases an eclectic score of rock, gospel, R&B and country hits including "Blue Suede Shoes," "That's All Right," "Great Balls of Fire," "Walk the Line," "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" and more.

Million Dollar Quartet is set on December 4, 1956, when an auspicious twist of fate brought Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley together. Sam Phillips, the "Father of Rock 'n' Roll" who was responsible for launching the careers of each icon, brought the four legendary musicians together at the Sun Records storefront studio in Memphis for the first and only time. The resulting evening became known as one of the greatest rock 'n' roll jam sessions in history. Million Dollar Quartet brings that legendary night to life with an irresistible tale of broken promises, secrets, betrayal and celebrations.

Portraying these icons are Derek Keeling as Johnny Cash, Cody Slaughter as Elvis Presley, Martin Kaye as Jerry Lee Lewis and Lee Ferris as Carl Perkins. Christopher Ryan Grant plays Sam Phillips. The cast also features Kelly Lamont as Dyanne and musicians Billy Shaffer (Fluke, drums), and Chuck Zayas (Jay Perkins, bass). Rounding out the company are Austin Cook, Scott F. Moreau, John Michael Presney, David Sonneborn, Alyssa Marie, and Billy Woodward.

The Million Dollar Quartet original creative and design teams will be continuing their roles for the tour. The show is directed by Eric Schaeffer and features a book by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux. The design team includes Derek McLane (scenic design), Howell Binkley (lighting design), Jane Greenwood (costume design), Kai Harada (sound design) and Chuck Mead (musical arrangements and supervision).

When the Broadway production opened in April 2010, critics and audiences leapt to their feet in unanimous praise. The New York Times called the show, "a buoyant new musical that whips the crowd into a frenzy." New York Magazine said it is "a dazzling raucous spectacle that sounds like a million bucks" and NY1 called it "90 minutes of platinum grade entertainment." The musical continues its successful New York engagement at New World Stages. The Chicago production of Million Dollar Quartet opened in 2008 and is still playing to packed houses at the Apollo Theatre. The West End production plays at the Noel Coward Theatre in London.

Million Dollar Quartet won a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical and received a Tony Award nomination for Best Musical and Best Book of a Musical (Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux). The show received an Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical, a Drama Desk nomination for Outstanding Musical Revue and three Drama League nominations including Distinguished Production of a Musical and Distinguished Performance. It is produced by Relevant Theatricals, John Cossette Productions, American Pop Anthology, Broadway Across America and James L. Nederlander.

Tickets are on sale now. It is presented by Hennepin Theatre Trust as part of its 2011/12 Broadway Across America-Minneapolis Season. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit HennepinTheatreTrust.org or call 1.800.982.2787.

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