MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET Transfers to the Apollo Theater 10/31

Due to popular demand, the critically hailed MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET will move to the Apollo Theater (2540 N. Lincoln Ave. Chicago), immediately following the conclusion of its limited engagement at the Goodman’s Owen Theatre. Performances in the Owen continue through Oct. 26. Preview performances at the Apollo Theater begin Friday, Oct. 31, with the official opening scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 6 at 7:30 PM. Tickets for the Apollo run are currently on sale through January 4, 2009.

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 ’n’ Roll,” who discovered them all.  The four legends-to-be 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.

Featuring a treasure trove of the greatest rock ’n’ roll, gospel, R&B and country hits from these music legends, including “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Fever,” “Sixteen Tons,” “Who Do You Love?,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “Ghost Riders in the Sky,” 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.

Directed by Eric Schaeffer and Floyd Mutrux, with a book by Floyd Mutrux and Colin Escott,  MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET is produced by Dee Gee Theatricals and John Cossette Productions.

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET features a group of performers, equally adept as musicians and actors.  The production stars Levi Kreis as Jerry Lee Lewis; Lance Guest as Johnny Cash; Rob Lyons as Carl Perkins; and Eddie Clendening as Elvis Presley. Brian McCaskill plays Sam Phillips and Kelly Lamont plays Elvis’ girlfriend, Dyanne.

“We are thrilled to announce we are extending our run in Chicago,” said  MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET producers Gigi Pritzker and John Cossette. “It was always our hope that Chicago audiences would love this show. From the very first preview performance, the response has been overwhelmingly positive, exceeding our expectations and confirming our hopes.”

For more show information, visit www.milliondollarquartetlive.com.

CREATIVE TEAM FOR MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET

Eric Schaeffer (Co-Director) is the acclaimed co-founder and artistic director of the Signature Theatre in Arlington, Va., where his work has been honored with numerous Helen Hayes Awards including Outstanding Direction.  He directed Putting it Together and Glory Days on Broadway, the first national tour of big, The Musical, and the West End debut of The Witches of Eastwick.  He also served as artistic director for the Kennedy Center’s Sondheim Celebration.

Floyd Mutrux is also the co-author of the book to MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, sharing writing credits with noted Grammy Award-winning author and music historian Colin Escott.  Mutrux has written, directed or produced numerous films, including the classic biopic of early rock ’n’ roll, American Hot Wax, Dick Tracy and Mulholland Falls.  Escott, the author of numerous books including Good Rockin’ Tonight – Sun Records and the Birth of Rock ’n’ Roll, was awarded a Grammy for producing The Complete Hank Williams, and was nominated for a Grammy for producing B.B. King – King of the Blues.

Musical Director Chuck Mead, with multiple hit records, has stood at the forefront of the alternative country music explosion as founder and lead of BR549, the three-time Grammy Award nominated country band.

Dee Gee Theatricals, a commercial production company dedicated to nurturing new work for the stage, was formed by Gigi Pritzker, Deborah Del Prete and Ted Rawlins in 1998. The company, with offices in Chicago and Los Angeles, is currently producing a number of exciting projects including: F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, which launched the new Guthrie Theatre and is on course to open on the West End next year; Snapshots a new musical with book by David Stern and music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz; and a new musical version of Dennis The Menace. The company is proud to be part of the producing team that developed Million Dollar Quartet, which began the day they were first shown the historic photograph of a truly amazing moment in American musical history.

John Cossette’s more than 30-year career in the entertainment and music industry has earned him a respected reputation as an innovative and creative producer of large scale television shows and events. With John Cossette Productions, Cossette has produced Grammy Awards for the past 17 years and is the Consulting Producer on the Latin Grammy Awards.  Cossette also produces five annual event specials for BET, including The BET Awards, which have become the premier event in Urban Music. Cossette has spearheaded a variety of corporate marketing events.  At the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Cossette produced a series of 20 concerts for AT&T, which were attended by more than 2.5 million people.  Cossette helped launch the American Express Blue Card with “Central Park In Blue with Sheryl Crow & Friends,” featuring Eric Clapton, Keith Richards and The Dixie Chicks, among others. Among his numerous additional producing credits, Cossette is heavily involved in a number of charitable events. The winner of two NAACP Image Awards, Cossette has produced benefits for the House Ear Institute, The Concern Foundation for Cancer Research, MusicCares, The NARAS Foundation and the Society of Singers.  He also helps to underwrite the E.J. Jackson Foundation to feed the homeless in South Central L.A., helping to feed over 15,000 people on Thanksgiving.

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