Monkey at the Theatre

Another quick review here... I recently had the opportunity and good fortune to attend a showing of the Broadway musical "Million Dollar Quartet" when the tour came through our city. (Thanks to my bro-in-law for the tickets!) If you didn't know, the show is a fictionalized account of an actual event: the night of December 4th, 1956, when Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis all got together in the studio at Sun Records in Memphis.

I don't know what it was REALLY like that day at Sun Records, but the Broadway version is fantastic! The actors were pretty much spot on in their portrayals of the four legends, and very entertaining. They are also all actual musicians, and their immense talent made the show that much more enjoyable. The fellow who played Jerry Lee Lewis nearly stole the show, his character every bit as flamboyant as Jerry Lee "The Killer" Lewis was rumored to be. (He's the last of the four still currently living, and is probably not overly flamboyant these days.)

The Million Dollar Quartet in 1956
(L-R: Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash)

The story (which again, is fictionalized) weaves around the characters, touching on some what was happening with them at the time. It's peppered throughout with some of these legends' biggest hits, and also includes one or two of the gospel songs that the foursome actually played during that jam session back in 1956.

If you live near New York, Chicago or London, or if the touring company makes a stop near your town, it's definitely worth checking out. It's truly a rockin' good time!