**** Recommended Marriott Theatre’s holiday offering, Million Dollar Quartet Christmas, combines the toe-tapping rock music of the original MDQ with favorite holiday tunes. Apparently, Colin Escott, who co-wrote the original, decided to ‘reimagine’ that 1956 jam session with Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley into a jukebox Christmas. If you love old-fashioned rock n’ roll, you’ll be dancing in your seat…and…humming along with your favorite carol. 3 ½ Spotlights
Some background - Sam Phillips, owner of Sun Records, discovered Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis, signing them to contracts. At one point, in desperate need of cash to keep his business going, he sold Presley’s contract to RCA. Although he always regretted the need, the money kept his business going – and allowed him to invest in a new Memphis business venture called Holiday Inn! When all four were in the Memphis studio on December 4th, 1956, they decided to jam, and Phillips recorded the session, ending with that famous snapshot which inspired the show.
Million Dollar Quartet Christmas begins (instead of ending) with that famous snapshot of the foursome around the piano. It’s the Christmas season and Sam Phillips (Ross Griffin) has gifts for Carl Perkins (Trevor Lindley Craft), Johnny Cash (Michael D. Potter) and Elvis Presley (Colton Sims), so he invites them to stop in at the studio. His newest discovery, a brash Jerry Lee Lewis (JP Coletta), was already there, jamming with brother Jay (Cody Siragusa) and Fluke (Jed Feder) when the guys – and Elvis’ girlfriend, Dyanne (Teah Kiang Mirabelli) strolled in.
This MDQ spin-off has less personal angst, more Christmas goodwill toward all – except … Elvis is about to be drafted, gasp! It will take you to the years before streaming, when the DJ was spinning platters on the radio – and Sam Perkins was driving around the country hand-delivering singles by his singers to those DJs – and enjoy a spectacular musical evening. And by the way, these tunes were all written before 1956!
The show opens with the quartet singing Home for the Holidays. You’ll hear Elvis sing Don’t Be Cruel, Carl Perkins’ Cotton Top, Jerry Lee Lewis’s version of Chantilly Lace, and of course, Johnny Cash’s Ring of Fire. The guys and Dyanne even unite for a Medley: Que Sera, Sera/Let the Good Times Roll/Hot Diggety/Tutti Frutti. Dyanne gets in on the fun with Santa Baby. The entire company comes together to sing several songs: Santa Claus is Back in Town, Blue Christmas, Go Tell It on the Mountain, Boogie Woogie Santa Claus and Silent Night, and finally another Medley: Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree/Jingle Bell Rock.
After a short pause, everyone returns to the stage wearing sequins, and suddenly, it’s a concert after the musical! Elvis sings I’ll Be Home for Christmas and Santa Claus is Coming to Town. Perched on top of the piano, Dyanne strums a ukelele and leads the company in Mele Kalikimaka. Johnny Cash lends his deep voice to God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen. Jerry Lee Lewis does acrobatic moves on his piano as he plays and sings Jingle Bells. The finale – Carl Perkins rocks with Run, Rudolph, Run.
Million Dollar Quartet Christmas is directed by Scott Weinstein with Musical Direction by Matt Deitchman.
Million Dollar Quartet Christmas runs through January 4th Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriot Drive, Lincolnshire. Parking is free; valet parking is also available. Running time is one hour, 35 minutes no intermission. Performances are Wednesdays at 1:00 & 7:00 pm; Thursdays at 7:00 pm; Fridays at 7:30 pm; Saturdays at 4:00 and 8:00 pm; Sundays at 1:00 and 5:00 pm with select Thursday 1:00 pm matinees. Tickets start at $69.98-$98.40. FYI (847) 634-0200, www.ticketmaster.com or www.marriotttheatre.com.
Attendees are encouraged to enjoy a yummy Million Dollar Quartet Christmas pop-up dining experience at the Embers Christmas Grille at Three Embers Restaurant, choosing the Prix Fixe Menu or a selection from the more extensive Grille Menu. The Prix Fixe Menu, available Weds through Friday, is priced at $49 per person (tax & gratuity not included).