Million Dollar Quartet to Arrive on Broadway in Spring 2010

By Andrew Gans
01 Sep 2009

Million Dollar Quartet's Levi Kreis (as Jerry Lee Lewis)
Million Dollar Quartet's Levi Kreis (as Jerry Lee Lewis)

Million Dollar Quartet, the Chicago hit that played a commercial run at the Goodman Theatre before a transfer to the Apollo, will arrive on Broadway in spring 2010 at a theatre to be announced.

Eric Schaeffer directs the new musical that was inspired by the famed 1956 recording session that brought together four of the most legendary figures in the history of rock 'n' roll: Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley.

Million Dollar Quartet features a book by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux and tunes from the aforementioned music legends, including "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." Musical director is Chuck Mead.

Casting will be announced at a later date.

"On December 4, 1956, an auspicious twist of fate brought Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley together," according to press notes. "The place was Sun Records’ storefront studio in Memphis. The man who made it happen was Sam Phillips, the 'Father of Rock ’n’ Roll,' who discovered them all. The four legends-to-be 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."

The Chicago production recently received three nominations for Jeff Awards, including Best Production of a Musical (Large) and Best Ensemble.

Million Dollar Quartet will be produced on Broadway by Relevant Theatricals, John Cossette Productions, Northern Lights Inc., Broadway Across America, and James L. Nederlander.

For more information visit www.milliondollarquartetlive.com.