MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, the jukebox musical by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux, dramatizes a legendary December 1956 recording session at Memphis’ Sun Studio featuring icons Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley, and Jerry Lee Lewis. The score is a high-octane collection of mid-20th century hits, including “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Great Balls of Fire,” and “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On.”
Similar in construct to the popular Jersey Boys, the show requires its cast to serve as both actors and musicians—a formidable challenge given the technical demands of the material.
While the plot is lean—utilizing career shifts and professional jealousies as mere scaffolding for the musical numbers—the performances are so effective that noting the thin narrative is a mere quibble.
The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival production features a powerhouse cast: Jeremy Sevelovitz (Carl Perkins), Nick Voss (Elvis Presley), Chance Michael Wall (Johnny Cash), and Dominique Scott (Jerry Lee Lewis), with Scott pulling double duty as the production’s musical director. The ensemble is rounded out by John Gardiner as Sam Phillips, Shannon Mullen as Dyanne, Mike Lucchetti as Fluke, and Chuck Zayas as Brother Jay.
Perhaps the most impressive achievement here is that, under Jim Helsinger’s direction, the actors find their own voices within these legendary personas. This nuance prevents the piece from devolving into a “Vegas impersonator” showcase and lends the evening a genuine heart. Helsinger preserves the intimate spirit of the piece, framing it as a quiet, free-wheeling jam session among singers on the cusp of legendary status.
Scenic Designer Bert Scott captures the ramshackle charm of the Sun Records studio, while Eric T. Haugen’s lighting provides vibrant visual variety for the vast song list. Though David M. Greenberg’s sound design is generally balanced, it occasionally borders on being overly aggressive for the space. Lisa Zinni’s costumes effectively anchor the production in 1956 while subtly hinting at the “branded” icons these men would eventually become.
Ultimately, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET is about the music—and in this production, the music is terrific.
MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET
By Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux
Original Concept and Direction by Floyd Mutrux
Inspired by Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins
Directed by Jim Helsinger
Music Director: Dominique Scott
Running thru 6/28/2026 at
PENNSYLVANIA SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL
2755 Station Avenue
Center Valley, PA 18034
Box Office:
610.282.WILL
https://pashakespeare.org/million-dollar-quartet/
Review submitted by:
Franklin Joseph
Author’s Bio:
Franklin Joseph is an avid theatre goer who takes delight in the active theatre arts community of the southeast Pennsylvania region.
