[NEohioPAL] Berko review: MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET @ PHSQUARE

[Roy Berko]

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET….great
balls of fire!
 
Roy Berko
 
Member, American Theatre Critics Association
 
--THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS--
LORAIN COUNTY
TIMES--WESTLAKER TIMES--LAKEWOOD NEWS TIMES--OLMSTED-FAIRVIEW TIMES
 
--COOLCLEVELAND.COM—
 
Part concert, part history lesson, a lot of rock ‘n
roll, and a heck of good time-- that’s  MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, now on stage at the Palace Theatre in
PlayhouseSquare.
 
The second largest entertainment center in the
United States is playing host to 
Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and
Johnny Cash.  Well, four performers
portraying those icons of rock and roll, in a stage show that attempts to
duplicate the one time that the four actually did get together for an informal
rock session.  The event took place
in the recording studios of the legendary Sun Records on December 4, 1956. 
 
To make the whole experience of even greater
importance, this production in the Rock and Roll capital, is the first venue
for the touring version of the show.  Yes, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET’s trip around the country is being launched
right here!
 
It’s fifty-five years ago, four emerging music
icons, all of whom were good old Southern boys, identified and molded by Sam
Phillips, were in his Memphis Sun Studios.  They ad-libbed an evening of gospel, blues and rock ‘n roll
music.  The event was chronicled by
a reporter from the Memphis
Press-Scimitar.  The next day
the article discussing the event stated, “This quartet could sell a
million.”  Little did the reporter
realize that though that number sounded like a lot, this quartet would go on to
sell many millions, and become individual musical icons.
 
Whether the actions happened exactly as portrayed
is not known, but the fact that there was such a jam session is a reality.  A recording of the session, and a
picture of the four, documented the event and became the basis for the musical
with a book by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux, and musical arrangements by Chuck
Mead.  
 
The production team was at Thursday’s press opening
and was introduced by Gina Vernecci, PlayhouseSquares’ Vice President of
Theatricals.
 
It is only right that the production started its
journey here.  Presley and Lewis
were among our Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame’s charter inductees, and were soon
joined by Perkins and Cash.  
 
The touring production, under the direction of Eric
Schaeffer, who I worked with at Signature Theatre in Arlington, Virginia (a
suburb of DC), is right on target.  He knows how to stage and inspire a cast.  The production is exciting, enveloping, filled with
well-timed humor and a little drama.  And, of course, there is a Whole
Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On.
 
The stage literally explodes with hit after hit,
including Blue Suede Shoes, That’s All Right, Sixteen Tons, I Walk the Line, Great Balls of Fire and Party.  Then, there was a curtain call which features the likes of Hound Dog, Riders in the Sky, and See
You Later Alligator.
 
The cast is outstanding.  The quartet not only sings well, but plays their own
instruments, and acts with realism.  
 
Cody Slaughter not only eerily looks like Elvis,
but has the snarl, the hip swivels, the pelvis thrusts and the famous heavy
eye-lidded stare.  A true son of
the south, Slaughter was named “Elvis Presley Enterprises’ Ultimate Elvis
Tribute Artist of 2011.”  Appropriately, the last line heard from the stage at the conclusion of
the production was, “And Elvis has left the building.” 
 
Martin Kaye makes for the perfect undisciplined,
dynamic, uber-talented pianist and singer, Jerry Lee Lewis.  He is electric on stage, hardly able to
contain the character’s twitching, jumping, ADHD persona.   
 
Derek Keeling has the perfect Johnny Cash voice and
sultry looks.  Dressed in Cash’s
signature black uniform, his deep voice, and smoldering personal underbelly,
makes for a complete characterization.
 
Lee Ferris develops well the conflicted Perkins,
whose fame was eclipsed by Presley, all the way from the King taking Perkins’ Blue Suede Shoes and making it into a
hit that exceeded the original author’s recording, but generally overshadowing the
man known as the King of Rock-a-billie.  
 
Christopher Ryan Grant gives a human portrayal of
Sam Phillips, Kelly Lamont is fine as Presley’s girl friend of the moment, and
bass player Chuck Zayas and drummer Christopher Ryan Grant, are excellent
musicians who add much to the show.
 
 Capsule judgement: MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET is one of those
special evenings of theatre.  It’s
filled with great music and fine performances that led to screaming, yelling,
clapping, multi-standing ovations given by the opening night audience.  Yes, Memories Are Made of This!
 
MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET
plays the Palace through October 23.  For tickets call 216-241-6000 or go to www.playhousesquare.org.
 
 
Roy Berko's blog, which contains theatre and dance reviews from 2001 through 2011, as well as his consulting and publications information, can be found at http://royberko.info.  His reviews can also be found on www.coolcleveland.com and www.NeOHIOpal
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