MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET National Tour Coming to North Texas

By: Feb. 04, 2016
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The national tour of the Broadway musical MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, inspired by the electrifying true story, will play three performances at the Music Hall at Fair Park on February 27 & 28, 2016, presented by Dallas Summer Musicals Management Group, Inc. The show will make its way to Fort Worth, where it will play for one night only at Bass Performance Hall February 29, 2016, presented by Performing Arts Fort Worth.

The international Tony Award-Winning musical, Million Dollar Quartet is set on December 4, 1956, when an auspicious twist of fate brought Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley together. Sam Phillips, the "Father of Rock 'n' Roll" who was responsible for launching the careers of each icon, gathered the four legendary musicians at the Sun Records storefront studio in Memphis for the first and only time. The resulting evening became known as one of the greatest rock 'n' roll jam sessions in history.

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET brings that legendary night to life with an irresistible tale of broken promises, secrets, betrayal and celebrations featuring timeless hits including "Blue Suede Shoes," "That's All Right," "Sixteen Tons," "Great Balls of Fire," "I Walk the Line," "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On," "See Ya Later, Alligator," "Fever," "Folsom Prison Blues," "Hound Dog" and more.

Evan Buckley Harris will portray Johnny Cash. His most recent leading man roles include the rock and roll legend Huey Calhoun in Memphis, The Musical at Midtown Arts Center; Lt. Joe Cable in South Pacific and Bill Jukes in Peter Pan at Jenny Wiley Theatre; Chad in All Shook Up and Will Rogers in Will Rogers Follies at Texas Family Musicals; and Andrew Jackson in Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson at Bruka Theatre of the Sierras. A piano, guitar, upright bass and harmonica musician, Evan also has credits in concerts in New York and Los Angeles and numerous opera credits.

Jason Cohen will play the role of the outrageous Jerry Lee Lewis. He has performed various characters in Buddy at Ogunquit Playhouse and the Gateway Playhouse and performed as Harry and Sam in It's A Wonderful Life at Half Moon Theatre. While at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and NYU Tisch/Robert Morris Theatre, he created the roles of Yepikhodov in The Cherry Orchard, Bertram in All's Well That Ends Well, Edgar in O Ruined Piece of Nature, Orsino in Twelfth Night and Goodfellowe in The Scarlet Letter. He also served as the music supervisor and as a musician in many of these productions and composed and performed original music as well. His instrumental skills are many including piano, guitar, double bass, electric bass, ukulele, banjo, mandolin, harmonica, drums and some trombone.

Skip Robinson depicts one of the most recognizable rock superstars, Elvis Presley. He performed the roles of Pharaoh/Eli in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, the title character in Dracula, Mr. Twindle and Wally Womper in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and Lawrence Jameson in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. He is a professional musician that plays guitar, drums and bass.

Christopher Wren will create the character of Carl Perkins who is always seen trying to prove himself. Chris toured with Buddy, The Buddy Holly Story and in Chuckleball (A musical). His resume includes numerous interactive shows and plays in New York City, and regionally in The Full Monty as Reg Willoughby; Aladdin The 3D Musical Adventure as Ali Baba; The Sound of Music as Rolfe; The Civil War, The Musical as Bill McEwen; Big River as Ben Harper and FAME the Musical as Goodman "Goody" King. Chris has also performed standup across the country and plays alto saxophone, guitar, drums, harmonica, mandolin, ukulele, banjo, upright bass and jaw-harp.

Matthew Scott will play the pivotal character of Sam Phillips who discovered this dream team and many founding members of rock and roll after these stars. Mr. Scott's theatrical credits include Vice Principal Paynch in Spelling Bee, John Dickinson in 1776, Dennis Sheppard/Dr. Stacey in The Laramie Project, Hucklebee in The Fantasticks, Trevor Graydon in Thoroughly Modern Millie and Dick Wilkins in the national tour of A Christmas Carol with Nebraska Theatre Caravan.

Jackey Good will portray Dyanne, Elvis' girlfriend that attended the famous session. Her national tour credits include Eileen in I Love A Piano and Kate Millins/Mrs. Astor in Titanic. Regionally she performed the roles of Luisa in The Fantasticks, Susan Hershey in The Full Monty, Margot in Legally Blonde, Natalie in All Shook Up, Valerie in A Chorus Line and Lou Ann in Hairspray.

Jon Rossi will join the cast as Fluke and Jody Alan Lee as Brother Jay. Rossi toured with Smokey Joe's Café and Lee has performed as Bill Starbuck in The Rainmaker; Charlie Davenport in Annie Get Your Gun; Shellhammer in Miracle on 34th Street; and Norman Petty in Buddy, The Buddy Holly Story.

Completing the cast as understudies are: Justin Droegemueller, Creg Sclavi, Taylor Gray, Snake Osburn, and Allison Fund. Jon Rossi will also serve as the Music Supervisor for the tour.

Lauren L. Sobon takes the helm as the Director/Choreographer/Casting of this new production. She has been a part of Prather Touring for over 22 years and has either produced, directed, choreographed, cast or performed over 85 productions for the company. Recent credits include: National Tours: Seven Brides For Seven Brothers, Fiddler On The Roof, Gypsy, and Annie Get Your Gun. Regional: A Wonderful Life, Shrek, Honky Tonk Angels, A Christmas Carol, How To Succeed..., Wizard of Oz and The Sound of Music.

PRATHER TOURING (Producer) began producing national tours just six short years ago and is quickly being recognized as a premiere tour company. Prather Touring also produces more than 32 shows each year in their regional theatres. To date, they have produced more than 340 shows since it was created. Tours include: Beehive the 60s Musical; Footloose the 10th Anniversary Tour; The Wedding Singer; All Shook Up; BLAST; the Musical; Fiddler on the Roof; Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and Memphis, The Musical.

Single tickets for the Dallas engagement of MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, starting at $25 (pricing subject to change), are now on sale at DallasSummerMusicals.org, by phone at 1.800.514.ETIX (3849) and at The Box Office, 5959 Royal Lane, Suite 542 in Dallas, TX.

Groups of 10 or more receive a 15% discount, priority seating, and many more benefits. Please call 214.426.GROUP (4768) or email Groups@DallasSummerMusicals.org.

Single tickets for MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET's Fort Worth performance, starting at $44, are now on sale. To charge tickets by phone, call (817) 212-4280 in Fort Worth; 1-877-212-4280 (toll free) outside Fort Worth; or order online at www.basshall.com. Tickets are also available at the Bass Performance Hall ticket office at 525 Commerce Street. For group sales, call 817-212-4248.

Photo by Denise S. Trupe



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