Goodness gracious Great Balls of Fire, there’s a Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On at the Chemainus Theatre Festival in Million Dollar Quartet.
You can’t go wrong with a story that revolves around four legendary musicians - Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins - coming together at Sam Phillips’ Sun Record Studios in Memphis, Tennessee by coincidence on December 4, 1956, a memorable and fateful day in music history.
The performers are so great in each of their roles it makes the show an instant top-of-the-charts hit.
Phillips, portrayed with gusto by Brett Harris, just happened to have the four in his studio at the same time and recorded an impromptu jam session that was part downright fun, part nerve-wracking and brought out a whole lotta emotions in between.
There’s conflict between Perkins and the eccentric Lewis - not to be confused with Jerry Lewis, although Perkins made that snide remark toward him - and issues that arise when Phillips discovers the good ole’ boys are headed in opposite directions with their careers, putting the future of the independent studio in some jeopardy.
Daniel Kosub, fresh off his appearance as Guy in Once, gets to cut loose as the somewhat jaded Perkins. He’s easily the lesser known of the quartet, and many people today still don’t realize he was the singer and writer of the No. 1 hit Blue Suede Shoes before Elvis recorded it.
The dynamic Presley is portrayed in superb style by Frankie Cottrell. He brings along his friend Dyanne (Sarah Horsman), an outstanding singer in her own right, to the studio.
Jonas Shandel has performed as Cash at the Chemainus Theatre before in Ring Of Fire - The Johnny Cash Story and delivers the same hard-driving approach to his hits and strikes the right chord that immediately connects the audience with his distinctive voice.
Montgomery Bjornson shines as Lewis. He’s got all the moves down pat, running his fingers (and arms, and other body parts) along the piano, fidgeting around like a fish out of water and just generally acting crazy - everything you’d expect a Lewis performance in the day would look like.
The show is a great blend of music, the story behind some of the songs and the personal situations each of the performers, plus Phillips, were experiencing at the time.
Some significant lines are thrown into the dialogue, but you have to be paying attention to catch them.
In one scene, Elvis blurts out, “I’ll never play Vegas again,” that drew chuckles from the audience.
Cash, when asked why no one had seen him for a while, says “I’ve been everywhere” in reference to one of his song titles.
The music is sure to get those who grew up in that era bopping in their seats. The younger generation will appreciate seeing and hearing the actors bringing the artists to life to supplement whatever knowledge they have about them from their parents and grandparents.
Kraig Waye plays Perkins’ brother Jay and provides his usual expertise to the music direction. Scott Carmichael joins the party, lending his musical talents as Fluke.
Million Dollar Quartet is on a limited run until April 14.