– By Cate Marquis –
The Repertory Theater of St. Louis celebrates the holiday season with “Million Dollar Quartet Christmas,” on stage at the Loretto Hilton Theater in Webster Groves now through Dec. 22. Actually, this production is a collaboration between the Rep and Stage St. Louis, the venerablebeloved musical theater company in nearby Kirkwood. It combines the Reps’ wonderful, imaginative sets with Stages skill with musical productions to give audiences a delighful holiday treat.
The original “Million Dollar Quartet” was inspired by a real event, a one-time musical jam of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis, in 1950s Memphis at the legendary Sun Studios, the place where all these stars got their start. “Million Dollar Quartet Christmas” adapts the original musical for the holiday, adding in nearly every rock Christmas song of the 1950s era and a few classic or traditional holiday songs as well, and toning down some of the competitiveness and conflict in the original.
Set in the 1950s in December, rock music’s biggest superstar Elvis Presley (Sean Buckley) returns to Sun Studios along with current singer girlfriend named Dyane (Shelby Ringdahl), to say hello to the studios owner Sam Phillips (Jeff Cummings). There, Elvis is surprised to find another former Sun Studio star, singer Johnny Cash (Scott Moreau), who is newly signed to a big recording label but back for a visit as well. Also in the studio are brilliant guitar phenom Carl Perkins (Jeremy Sevelovitz), still trying to break through into stardom, and Sam Phillip’s newest find, young, crazy, talented piano wild-man Jerry Lee Lewis (Brady Wease). Also in the studio are session musicians W.S. “Fluke Holland (Dave Sonneborn) and Jay Perkins (Chuck Zayas). The personalities sometimes clash, the egos compete (especially the youngster Jerry Lee Lewis) but they all love playing music and their mentor Sam Phillips. Song after song flows as this million-dollar quartet of stars joyfully jams.
Elvis is introducing city-girl Dyanne to Memphis, at a time when he is pop music’s biggest star. But Elvis is charming, modest and gracious to his fellow musicians. The same is true for new star Johnny Cash, and two share a special bond. Carl Perkins is frustrated by his stalled career despite his obvious massive talent, after a car accident torpedoed his big debut on the star-making Ed Sullivan TV show. Carl grumbles about his bad luck and endures some good-natured teasing, but everyone is put off a bit by the youngster Jerry Lee Lewis whose massive ego and braggy nature grates on the other musicians’ nerves, although everyone acknowledges the boy sure can play that piano, even with his leg thrown over it.
All the roles are well cast, for the acting performance as well as musical talent. As these famous musicians interact, and play together, we get glimpses of their personal stories along with a sampling of their hit songs. Shelby Ringdahl’s newcomer Dyanne gives the members of the million dollar quartet a reason to tell their stories, and pitches in winningly as a singer on many songs. We also get a glimpse into the great Sam Phillips, who found and encouraged all that talent, but was frustrated as each star left little Sun Studios for bigger record labels as they achieved fame. The ensemble performances are lively, funny and warm – and, of course, musical.
One of the big treats of this musical is showcase of these star’s hits played in their own style. All the cast capture the musical style of these rock/country greats. The dazzling guitar work of Jeremy Sevelovitz is one of the show’s big delights, portraying perfectly Carl Perkins’ brilliant talent even if he lacked some other’s good looks. Brady Wease is wild and wildly funny in the showboat role as Jerry Lee Lewis, the crazy man of rock piano known for his off-stage antics as well as his remarkable talent on the piano. Both Sean Buckely and Scott Moreau sound convincingly like Elvis and Johnny Cash, respectively.
Songs include some hits of each star, including “Great Balls of Fire” (Jerry Lee) and “Ring of Fire” (Johnny Cash), and lots of rock Christmas songs, including “Jingle Bell Rock” and “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.”
This musical adapts beautifully into a holiday show, one that entertains with good humor, warmth and a bit of fun and teasing to keep things balanced and preventing it from being overly sentimental. The music is delightful and seasonal, a jukebox of hits from the 1950s era.
The Repertory Theater of St. Louis’ “Million Dollar Quartet Christmas” is on stage at the Loretto Hilton Theater in Webster Groves through Dec. 22.
© Cate Marquis
Pictured L to R: Company Photo by JON GITCHOFF
