The thing about nostalgia is that it comes with a certain amount of suspension of disbelief. Nostalgia exists by remembering the sweet, good parts of a place and time and forgetting all the rest. Seeing Million Dollar Quartet was the perfect little escape back in time. It made me think of my bubbe and listening to the radio together maybe in the car, or watching Star Search or Johnny Carson on tv. I received tickets to review this show that took us back to the 50’s with Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and the “Father of Rock ‘n Roll” Sam Phillips.
Million Dollar Quartet brings to life those days you tune your radio to the 50’s station and hit the road lost in the sounds of a different time. The singers and musicians did a great job. Not only were the voices so easy to listen to but their voice modulation matched each of the singers they played. Elvis Presley is played by Jacob Barton; Johnny Cash is played by Steven Lasiter; Jerry Lee Lewis is played by Trevor Dorner; Carl Perkins is played by Nathan Burke; Sam Phillips is played by Sean Casey Flanagan; Brother Jay Perkins on the double bass is played by Justin Bendel; Fluke on drums is played by Jon Rossi; and Dyanne is played by Taylor Kraft.
This million dollar quartet isn’t just a fantasy, although it got me thinking about who would make up my dream quartet.
On December 4, 1956, an auspicious twist of fate brought together four young musicians – Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Elvis Presley. Sam Phillips, the undisputed “Father of Rock ‘n’ Roll” who was responsible for launching the careers of each of these icons, gathered the four legendary singer/songwriters at the Sun Records studio in Memphis for the first and only time. The result? One of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll jam sessions in history.
We can’t travel back in time, but this show is a close second to what it might have been like to witness that once in a lifetime jam session in 1956.
Million Dollar Quarter has two more Boston performances on Saturday, October 30th at 2pm and 8pm at the Boch Center’s Shubert Theatre. Find the Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, or Johnny Cash fan in your family and treat them to a night out together. Tickets can be purchased here.
