BWW Interviews: Stars of MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET Talk Rock and Roll Idols

Million Dollar Quartet is a rocking jukebox musical which tells the story of a historic day in 1956 which saw Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins all join together at Sun Studios for an afternoon of recording.  Affectionately referred to as the ‘Million Dollar Quartet’, the show explores the events of that day as they unfolded through the music of the four artists.

The men portraying the music legends are extremely talented, juggling the demanding vocal requirements of their respective roles with playing various instruments and embodying these historic figures.  BWW sat down to speak with three of them (Martin Kaye, Lee Ferris and Derek Keeling) about what the experience has been like so far, the daunting task of portraying such well known singers, and why everyone will find something to love about the show:

Were you a fan of this music growing up? And of the person you play in particular? 

MK: To be honest, I wasn't really exposed to this type of music as a kid. My parents were born in the 50's, so I grew up listening to a lot of the late 60s, 70s and 80s music. I'd heard of Jerry Lee, and I played Great Balls of Fire as a kid but only because it was a boogie woogie that I picked up from my Dad. I'd never really heard the actual recording until much more recently!

LF: I always loved early rock and roll.  My parents played a lot of Elvis growing up and when I started playing guitar I became obsessed with the blues.  I was especially into the earlier African American artists that were signed to SUN Records before the four icons in our show.  BB King was my favorite.  I learned about Carl Perkins through other guitar players I met and formed bands with and always knew that he was huge influence in early American rock and roll.

DK: I have been listening to 50's music for as long as I can remember.  My dad really got me involved with it at a young age.  We would go on road trips together because he was a professional drag racer and all he would listen to was 50's and 60's music.  It really created a love for the music.  I have been familiar with Johnny Cash music for a long time, but this is the first time I have sang any of it.  Doing the music over the past year has really created a love for Johnny Cash's music and his unique style.  

What has the process been like to embody someone so well known to music lovers all over the world? How do you make the role your own while still incorporating the trademark things about the person you’re portraying?

MK: Well there's obviously a difference between playing a fictional character and a real human being, so there's a little bit of pressure there to make sure you're true to the real guy, so it's been an education, I'll say that! YouTube has been a godsend, and reading Jerry Lee's biography was more like a novel about a made up character, his life has been so interesting and eventful. But also, we're not impersonators. We're just trying to celebrate this incredibly revolutionary time when rock and roll became popular, so it's just us musicians, being ourselves but also making sure we capture the essence of the guys we're honoring.

LF: I have a lot more freedom playing Carl because most people cannot place his movements or his voice in their mind as easily as the other three.  I get to be myself more than the others I feel, because people have expectations of the men they are portraying before they walk into the theater.  I bring a lot of my own personality to the role but I also hit on some key characteristics of Carl in order to pay respect to him and those who do love him.  I spent many hours watching videos of him and of the others so I could get the essence of the era and its music.

DK: This is the first time I have ever played an actual person from history as opposed to a fictional character.  With that came a unique challenge and some advantages.  The challenge is that people have a predetermined idea of what you should look and sound like.  The advantage is that you have years and years of video footage and audio recordings to draw from.  For me it was all about taking in as much of that information as I could but eventually allowing Johnny Cash to flow through my own body.  I wanted to capture is essence as opposed to doing an impersonation.   

Have you received any feedback from people associated with the talent portrayed in the show? Family members or those who were closest to them? 

MK: Priscilla Presley came to the show in LA and loved it. She knew all these guys (which is absolutely incredible thinking about it), and she said we really did the roles justice. So that was nice.

LF: We had the chance to play with Carl's son Stan Perkins in Memphis and it was a big thrill for all of us.  Stan loved the show and was very complimentary.  He told me that his father would have had a huge smile watching the show.

DK: The closest we have come to the real people were encounters with Fluke Holland, the drummer that night, and Priscilla Presley.  Both were very complementary of our portrayals and how we played the music.  Playing with the real Fluke behind me was very surreal as Johnny had played with him over 5 decades. 

What would you say to people who think this is simply a “jukebox musical” to encourage them to come out and experience it? 

MK: Well, firstly, I don't think there's anything wrong with playing, or listening to, a catalogue of rock and roll. I mean, there are worse things to do for a couple of hours in the evening! But also, I think people have to lighten up a bit. In this day and age where real, honest music is not so easy to come by, I think going to hear some guys play - and really play - some of the music that revolutionized popular music at the time is not only an incredibly fun night out, but also nostalgic and somewhat...educational!

LF: The music in the show IS familiar and part of wonderful catalogue of American music, but what sets us apart from many musicals is that we, the actors, play every note the audience hears throughout the performance.  This allows for spontaneity in every show.  There is a LIVE concert style energy happening on stage and we encourage our audiences to interact and be involved with the music making process.  If the audience lets us know they are enjoying certain aspects of the show we will give back to them through our performance.

DK: This show is not a typical musical at all.  With our show you really get the experience of seeing a live band.  We are playing all of the instruments you hear in the show and therefore we feed off of the energy of the audience every night.  I think it gives the audience an opportunity to feel a part of the show.  What we do up there every night is very authentic.  Our songs are done in the original style and manner they were intended.  Not rearranged to facilitate the plot.   

What is your favorite song in the show and who is your favorite of the Million Dollar Quartet?

MK: I'd have to say Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On is my favorite song and moment of the show, coz it's the moment when I can really let loose and interact with the audience. In terms of my favorite, I think Elvis was a humble soul, extraordinarily talented and a true gent. And generous too. Nothing better than that really.

LF: I love playing "I Walk The Line." It demands my concentration every show and I enjoy watching the audience listening to such an iconic song.  I think that Johnny Cash is ultimately my favorite of the quartet because of his great humility and philanthropy.  He was a very good man who stood for justice and did his best to help as many folks in need as he could.

DK: I love singing Folsom Prison Blues every night.  It's an amazing testament to the legacy of Johnny Cash because about 10 seconds into the song the audience just starts to applaud.  A lot of them are just happy to hear music that they grew up with done in the same style that they know.  That being said Johnny Cash is for sure my favorite.  

Finally, do you feel that this show appeals to a younger audience who might not be familiar with the music and material? What would you say to encourage them to come and check out the show?

MK: Well, for younger peeps who love music, I don't think it's a difficult sell. "Hey Justin, you wanna go and check out this rock and roll show where four of the greatest musicians of the 20th century play and sing together on stage?"

LF: It's a live concert!  I think anyone of any age loves good live music.  It's a nice history lesson too with a lot of opportunities to smile and laugh as these young men interact.  It's also important I think for young people to have a look at who the gigantic pop stars of the past were.  These guys were the Justin Beibers and Timberlakes of their day.  They created the template for what everyone follows today in popular music and I think that perspective on the past is important.

DK: I think all ages will love this music.  For younger audiences they can see where all of the music they know and love now came from.  These men created a pathway that all of our modern music came from.  I think our show will also encourage kids too learn more about music and maybe pick up and instrument and start to play themselves.  When they see how much fun we have up on stage playing the music, I don't see how they wouldn't want to be a part of it.  

Million Dollar Quartet performs at the Toronto Centre for the Arts, now until July 29th, running Tuesday - Saturday at 7:30 and Wed, Sat and Sun at 2PM. Tickets range from $51 to $180 and can be purchased in person at the box office, by phone at 416-644-3665 or online at www.dancaptickets.com.

 

Test and expand your Broadway knowledge with our new game - The Broadway Match-Up! How well do you know your Broadway casting trivia?	Play the Daily Game, explore current shows, and delve into past decades like the 2000s, 80s, and the Golden Age. Challenge your friends and see where you rank!
How well do you know your Tony Awards history? Take our never-ending quiz of nominations and winner history and challenge your friends.	Can you beat your friends? Play today’s daily Broadway word game, featuring a new theatrically inspired word or phrase every day!