“MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET” PRICELESS

If rock ’n roll could name one standout date in history, a contender would surely be December 4, 1956. That’s the day Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley all wandered into a record studio in Memphis, Tennessee for one unforgettable musical event. As jam sessions go, this one was a blast. You have the unique privilege to be present when these legends of the music world come to call if you head over to the Shubert Theatre in New Haven from Thursday, June 11 to Sunday, June 14.  The rafters of the Shubert will surely ring out with joy.

For Sam Phillips, the head of Sun Records, called “The Father of Rock ’n Roll,” this day was special and he recognized its significance and his sound engineer Cowboy Jack Clement was smart enough to have it recorded.  These icons were like sons to Phillips and he cared deeply for their careers and success. While they were all in different stages of fame, they recognized the significance of their accidental meeting as the wildly wonderful event it was.  This sensational staged recreation of that day has been captured by Floyd Mutrux and Colin Escott with a book written for all eternity.

         

 Eric Schaeffer directs this thriller of a show. Starring will be Colte Julian as Jerry Lee Lewis, Gabe Bowling as Carl        Perkins, Jacob Rowley as Elvis Presley and Scott Moreau as Johnny Cash.

Have you got a personal playlist?  Prepare to jump and jive to the hit tunes of each of these bigger than life mega stars.  Come hear “Great Balls of Fire,” “Sixteen Tons,” “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Whole Lot of Shakin’ Goin’ On,” “Hound Dog,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “I Walk the Line,” “Memories Are Made of This,” “Long Tall Sally” and “See You Later, Alligator,” to name drop a few.  The juke box is exploding with hits.

History will be recorded as hips gyrate, piano keys ignite, guitar strings are set aflame and a quartet of stars compete for the spotlight. Forget rehearsals or a formal plan.  These are four men, in varying stages of friendship, secrecy and jealousy, who recognize the magnitude of what they have all created, accidentally and wonderfully. This is a one-of-a-kind moment of musical magic, one that has won the Broadway hit Tony Awards.

For tickets ($15-110), call the Shubert, 247 College Street, New Haven at 203-562-5666 or online at www.shubert.com. Performances are Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.  A talk-back with the cast will follow the Friday evening, June 12, performance.

Don’t be afraid to dance right out of your seat as these four wild men of music move and groove, shake and shimmer, rattle and roll all for your listening pleasure.