BWW Reviews: A Million Reasons to Love MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET at The McCallum Theatre

The McCallum Theatre has given the Coachella Valley another reason to be thankful this holiday weekend by presenting the stellar national tour of MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET through December 1. As anyone who has read my previous reviews knows, I am a big fan of Mitch Gershenfeld and The McCallum Theatre for its ever-marvelous slate of offerings to the desert theatre-going community, and this production is no exception. I wish I had a million superlatives to equal the high caliber production that opened last evening for a "too-limited engagement".

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET is one of those rare "jukebox musicals" -- where the book actually equals the songbook. This is not a genre of which I am particularly fond and, having not seen a prior production, I admit I was a bit apprehensive. However Colin Escott and Floyd Mustrux's book is warm, witty and engaging from word one and draws you immediately into Sam Phillip's world and perfectly captures the magic of this one unforgettable night in rock n' roll history. Eric Shaeffer's direction is seamless and honest at every turn. Derek McClane's scenic design is exquisitely simple and his deft and creative hand is most obviously on every realistic scenic element. The real star of the show is Howard Binkley's lighting design which is truly another character in the play, not an addendum in the credits. It is ever effective and some of the finest lighting I have ever witnessed - on or off Broadway,

Then, there are the actors. Shaeffer has assembled an outstanding group of singer/actors who bring just the right talent and tone to the piece. The characters could have become caricatures of the iconic figures portrayed but are played so masterfully by these actors that they are both believable and "larger than life" in the same breath. James Barry, John Countryman, Tyler Hunter and Scott Moreau deliver equally incredible performances as Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash, respectively - not one an impersonation - each one delivers an artfully crafted, multi-layered performance. Vince Nappo's Sam Phillips is the charismatic anchor to the show and displays equal comic and dramatic range.

This review is brief --- but the affection is not. This is one of those "run, don't walk to the box office" reviews. If there are any tickets left, be the first in line to snatch them up. Million Dollar Quartet is a light-hearted, wholly entertaining evening in the theatre and, if last night's audience is any indication, a theatrical event that will long be fondly remembered in the Coachella Valley. For more information on MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, or further offerings in The McCallum Season, visit www.mccallumtheatre.com.

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