By JESSICA NEU
Music historians often reminisce about unique times throughout the 1900s that helped to shift, transform, or inspire the musical zeitgeist of the era. Stories are told of the jam sessions at musicians’ homes in 1960s Laurel Canyon, when Paul Simon traveled to Africa to record the Graceland album, or when dozens of celebrities convened overnight to record “We Are the World.”
Pittsburgh Musical Theater closes its 2023-24 with a glimpse into one of those magical music moments. Million Dollar Quartet tells the story of one night when Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash shared a recording studio, putting the audience in “the room where it happened.”
From the opening number, “Blue Sued Shoes,” audiences quickly realize that Million Dollar Quartet is not a typical jukebox musical. The show presents more like a laid-back jam session that we are all privileged to attend. Record executive Sam Phillips (Tommy McDowell) invites the quartet to the recording studio. Owner of Sun Records, Phillips wants Carl Perkins (John Rohlf) to record a song with an up-and-coming pianist named Jerry Lee Lewis (Taylor Isaac Gray). Perkins needs another hit song, and Phillips believes Lewis’s unique piano skills will help develop Perkins’ musical repertoire. Perkins is immediately put off by Lewis’ outgoing personality, which borders on quirky, and he especially does not want his intricate piano adlibs on his record. As the two men quarrel, Johnny Cash (Allen Law) arrives and adds his Southern flair to the mix. Cash wants to talk to Phillips about leaving Sun Records for a better opportunity with a more prominent record label. Still, Phillips interrupts all conversation in favor of a once-in-a-lifetime jam session.
Elvis Presley (Collin Yates) rounds out the quartet as he arrives with his girlfriend, Dyanne (Rachel Rosenbush). The four musicians take turns performing their songs with the other three men and two studio musicians (Mike Lucchetti & Justin Bendel).
The music takes center stage throughout the entire show, as audiences are treated to a greatest hits repertoire of all four musicians’ classic recordings, in addition to Rosenbush’s spicy rendition of “Fever.”
Directed by Tim Seib, the company of Million Dollar Quartet delivers on all levels. As each character enters the sleek yet comfortable recording studio (set design by Tucker Topel), we get to know the person behind the musician. The plot cleverly weaves each musician’s backstory into the jam session. At no point does the music or dialogue feel forced or out of place. We learn about each singer’s history and what led them to, or in Elvis’ case, away from Sun Records and Sam Phillips.
Stylistically, each actor embodies the spirit and soul of each legendary performer. From how their fingers play guitar or piano to Elvis’ iconic hip swivels to Cash’s effortlessly cool persona, Rohlf, Gray, Law, and Yates bring these musicians back to life to recreate one of the most magical nights in music history. Specifically, Gray’s piano playing technique flawlessly embodied Lewis’ style, which Perkins sardonically said was too “Liberace,” but history would prove Lewis to be a legendary performer. Vocally, each actor soars in their respective numbers, but the gentlemen come together to harmonize in a way that makes us yearn for the days of the Beach Boys and Mamas and the Papas.
You will want to sing, dance, and, above all, be their friend. Million Dollar Quartet recreates the authentic jam session that has often fallen by the wayside in the current digital music streaming era.
Jerry Lee Lewis declares a “key of C” and tells the other musicians to follow him, and they do just that. It is within these impromptu moments that magic exists.
Each performance in Million Dollar Quartet is especially poignant because the audiences know each performer’s fate. This jam session occurred before Johnny Cash grew old, before Elvis’ untimely passing, before Perkins succumbed to cancer, and before Lewis gained infamous status for marrying a minor. The actors depicted these artists in their prime when originality and singing from your soul still mattered. It was a time when many people thought that Rock n’ Roll was a passing fad, so they had to record and release as many songs as possible before the trend dissolved.
Their energy and passion are palpable, and each actor evokes a love of music, history, and respect for their predecessors. Million Dollar Quartet is just as much of a concert as a musical. It is a high-octane transport back in time, with each actor inhabiting these iconic performers down to the most minute detail, creating a priceless performance.
TICKETS AND DETAILS
Pittsburgh Musical Theater presents Million Dollar Quartet, April 18 to May 12, 2024 at the Gargaro Theater, 327 S Main St, Pittsburgh, PA 15220. For tickets visit https://pmt.culturaldistrict.org/production/89672/list_performances
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