Chattanooga Times Free Press - ChattanoogaNow
‘Million Dollar Quartet’
Ensemble’s latest production captures the musical lightning in a bottle of legendary jam session
Ensemble Theatre of Chattanooga has launched its 2017 season with a whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on — all set in motion by the Tony- nominated jukebox musical “Million Dollar Quartet.”
Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux scripted and scored this dramatized look into a legendary evening in music history: Dec. 4, 1956.
The place was Memphis’ Sun Records, a former auto parts store turned recording studio. The names of the musicians in the room are familiar: Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis. And on that night, the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, the Father of Rockabilly, the Man in Black and the Killer played together in what remains one of the greatest jam sessions ever.
“Million Dollar Quartet” not only tells the story of that magical night; it captures the struggles of Sam Phillips, the visionary who introduced each of these legends to the world and forever changed the face of music in America. As the founder and owner of Sun Records, Phillips in effect became the Father of Rock ‘n’ Roll.
Phillips had recognized in each of these four young, previously unknown musicians the makings of a new genre of music that was as controversial as it was popular. He was relentless in promoting the young artists and in spreading their talents across as many radio stations as possible, helping each to obtain gold records and forging a movement that made each of them legendary
The musical includes classic hits from each of the artists: “Hound Dog,” “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Great Balls of Fire.”
“On the surface, it might appear to be just a show full of a lot of fun music,” says ETC artistic director Garry Lee Posey. “But like with any good theatrical presentation, .there has to be a story, and the story we have found here is actually quite touching.”
“Million Dollar Quartet” is a mixture of fact and fiction, flashback and reality, humor and tension.
Producing partner Casey Keelen explains that there was some initial hesitation in produc- ing the show, though.
“At first it seemed like a strong departure from our normal work, too commercial a venture,” says Keelen. “But the story of ‘it takes a village’ really starts to become apparent the further we dive into it.”
Music fans should be advised that the production does not attempt an impersonation of the rock icons.
“If you are expecting an Elvis impersonator, this isn’t the show for you,” says Posey. “ETC prides itself on creating unique and original interpretations of shows and characters, not merely rolling out the expected. You might recognize them, but they aren’t photocopies.”
“Million Dollar Quartet” continues the next two weekends at the new Midtown Central facility in Brainerd.