STAGE TUBE: Kathie Lee & Hoda Talk MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET

By: Jan. 27, 2011
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Yesterday Kathie Lee Gifford, the co-host of the fourth hour of NBC's "Today Show" performed the Patsy Kline classic "Stop Look and Listen" with the cast of Million Dollar Quartet, the Broadway musical sensation.

In addition, Gifford's performance will be featured on today's edition of "Entertainment Tonight" which airs locally on WCBS-TV Channel 2 at 7:30 PM. Check local listings for airings outside the New York area. Click below to watch Kathie Lee and Hoda discuss her appearance. Click HERE to watch her performance.

Gifford is most recognizable to millions as the co-host on the fourth hour of NBC's "Today Show" with Hoda Kotb and for her 15 year run on the syndicated "Live with Regis and Kathie Lee" for which she received 11 Emmy Award nominations. In addition, Gifford is an accomplished musical theatre actress having starred in the Broadway production of Stephen Sondheim's Putting It Together which was directed by Million Dollar Quartet's Eric Schaeffer. In addition Gifford and Schaffer worked together on the Signature Theatre's 2007 production of her musical Saving Aimee.

The cast of Million Dollar Quartet features Eddie Clendening (Elvis Presley), Lance Guest (Johnny Cash), Tony Award® winner Levi Kreis (Jerry Lee Lewis), Jared Mason (Carl Perkins), James Moye (Sam Phillips), and Elizabeth Stanley (Dyanne).

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

Inspired by the actual event, Million Dollar Quartet features a treasure trove of the greatest rock and roll, gospel, R&B and country hits from these musicians, including such iconic songs as "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." Million Dollar Quartet captures the infectious spirit, freewheeling excitement and thrilling sounds of a singular moment when four of the music industry's most extraordinary talents, all in their creative prime, came together for one of the most memorable nights in music history.

In addition, to Kreis' Tony® for Best Featured Actor in a Musical, Million Dollar Quartet received Tony nominations for Best Musical and Best Book of a Musical (Colin Escott & Floyd Mutrux). The show received an Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical (Levi Kreis), a Drama Desk Nomination for Outstanding Musical Revue and three Drama League Nominations including Distinguished Production of a Musical and Distinguished Performance (Lance Guest & Levi Kreis).

Million Dollar Quartet is directed by Eric Schaeffer and features a book by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux. The design team for Broadway includes: Derek McLane (scenic design), Howell Binkley (lighting design), Jane Greenwood (costume design), Kai Harada (sound design) and Chuck Mead (musical arrangements and supervision).

Million Dollar Quartet is produced by Relevant Theatricals, John Cossette Productions, American Pop Anthology, Broadway Across America, and James L. Nederlander.

The Chicago production of Million Dollar Quartet opened in 2008 and is still playing to packed houses at the Apollo Theatre. An upcoming national tour will launch next season and a London production will open at the Noël Coward Theatre on February 28, 2011 with previews beginning February 8, 2011.

For more information about Million Dollar Quartet, visit www.MillionDollarQuartetLive.com.

Follow Million Dollar Quartet news on Twitter @milliondquartet and on Facebook.

Tickets for Million Dollar Quartet are available online www.TicketMaster.com, by calling 877-250-2929, or by visiting the Nederlander Box Office (208 West 41st Street).

REGULAR PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE: Tuesday and Wednesday at 7 PM, Thursday through Saturday at 8 PM. Matinees Wednesday and Saturday at 2:30 PM and Sunday at 3 PM.

Kathie Lee Gifford has enjoyed a diverse and successful four-decade career as a television host, actress, singer, playwright, songwriter and author. Best known for her 15 years on Regis and Kathie Lee (11 Emmy nominations), and currently acting as co-host on the fourth hour of the Today Show with Hoda Kotb, Gifford has always pursued projects which inspire and challenge her. Gifford made her Broadway debut in Stephen Sondheim's Putting it Together in 2000, originated the role of Marta Dunhill in Rupert Holmes' Thumbs, and played Miss Hannigan in Annie at Madison Square Garden. In 2005, her first musical Under The Bridge (book and lyrics) opened Off-Broadway. In April of 2007, Saving Aimee (book/lyrics) opened in Washington, DC at the Signature Theatre.

Last April, Random House released her NY Times best-selling book, Just When I Thought I'd Dropped My Last Egg: Life and Other Calamities. In April 2010 she released a children's book called Party Animals with Running Press Publishers, and will release another children's book called The Legend of Messy M'Cheany this spring.

Away from the spotlight, Gifford has lobbied for the eradication of inhumane working conditions of garment workers throughout the world. She has been appointed by the White House to the Apparel Industry Partnership White House Task Force and has received an honorary doctorate from Marymount University for her humanitarian works.

Gifford devotes much of her time to the Association to Benefit Children, which spawned the Cody Foundation. The resources from the Association continue to support Cody House and Cassidy's Place.

Gifford lives in Connecticut with her husband, two children and two dogs.

For more information, visit www.MillionDollarQuartetLive.com.

 



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