The national tour of the Broadway musical “Million Dollar Quartet,” inspired by the electrifying true story, will make its Morgantown premiere Jan. 22 at the West Virginia University Creative Arts Center as part of the University Arts Series. Tickets are on sale now at the Mountainlair and CAC box offices and online at ticketmaster.com.

The international Tony Award-winning musical, “Million Dollar Quartet” is set on Dec. 4, 1956, when an auspicious twist of fate brought Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley together. Sam Phillips, the “Father of Rock ‘n’ Roll” who was responsible for launching the careers of each icon, brought the four legendary musicians together at the Sun Records storefront studio in Memphis for the first and only time. The resulting evening became known as one the greatest rock ‘n’ roll jam sessions in history.

“Million Dollar Quartet” brings that legendary night to life with an irresistible tale of broken promises, secrets, betrayal and celebrations featuring an eclectic score of rock, gospel, R&B and country hits including: “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Fever,” “Sixteen Tons,” “Who Do You Love?,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “Matchbox,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” “Hound Dog,” and more.

Portraying these icons are Lee Ferris as Carl Perkins, Martin Kaye as Jerry Lee Lewis, Derek Keeling as Johnny Cash and Cody Slaughter as Elvis Presley. Christopher Ryan Grant will play the “Father of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” Sam Phillips. The cast also features Kelly Lamont as Dyanne, and musicians Billy Shaffer (Fluke, drums), and Chuck Zayas (Jay Perkins, bass). Rounding out the company is: Austin Cook, Scott F. Moreau, John Michael Presney, David Sonneborn, Alyssa Marie and Billy Woodward.

When the Broadway production opened in April 2010, critics and audiences leapt to their feet in unanimous praise. The New York Times called the show, “a buoyant new musical that whips the crowd into a frenzy,” New York Magazine labels it, “a dazzling raucous spectacle that sounds like a million bucks,” and NY1 called it, “90 minutes of platinum grade entertainment.”

“Million Dollar Quartet” won a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical and received a Tony Award nomination for Best Musical and Best Book of a Musical (Colin Escott & Floyd Mutrux). The show received an Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical, a Drama Desk nomination for Outstanding Musical Revue and three Drama League nominations including Distinguished Production of a Musical and Distinguished Performance.

Tickets for the Jan. 22 production in Morgantown range from $44 to $60, depending on location. WVU student tickets are available for $28 the campus box offices with a valid Mountaineer Card. Some restrictions apply. WVU Student discounts are limited to one per valid I.D. Tickets may be purchased at the Mountainlair and CAC box offices, online at ticketmaster.com, by phone at 304-293-SHOW or 800-745-3000, and at all Ticketmaster outlets.

The University Arts Series is produced by WVU Arts & Entertainment. Stay connected with the latest event updates through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram by following @wvuevents.

-WVU-

CONTACT: Kristie Stewart-Gale, Arts & Entertainment
304-293-8221, kristie.stewart-gale@mail.wvu.edu

Follow @WVUToday on Twitter.