Things to do in Dayton | Restaurants, Theatre, Music and More
Cult Movie Night returns to the NEON in downtown Dayton for it’s monthly cult film series.
This time celebrating Elvis on his death day with the Horror-Comedy starring Bruce Campbell as Elvis BUBBA HO-TEP! Also screening is the short documentary MUDERABILIA about Aurora theatre shooting victim Carli Rowyn Richards in person to talk about her documentary and experience.
There’s a whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on at the Schuster Center as the outstanding national tour of “Million Dollar Quartet,” nominated for the 2010 Tony Award for Best Musical and based on a true event, lets loose with feel-good exuberance courtesy of the Victoria Theatre Association’s Premier Health Broadway Series.
(l to r) John Countryman, Kelly Lamont, H. Bradley Waters, Corey Kaiser, Scott Moreau, and Tyler K. Hunter (seated) in “Million Dollar Quartet” (Contributed photo)
A jukebox musical written by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux unabashedly concerned with tone and era instead of plot or storyline, “Million Dollar Quartet” captures a glimpse of rock and roll history in 100 breezy minutes under Eric Schaeffer’s crisp direction. On Dec. 4, 1956 in Memphis, Tennessee, Sun Records owner Sam Phillips concocted a jam session featuring four titans he discovered: Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley. This immensely talented and unique quartet, whose genuine love of music permeated within their souls, come together at the dawn of their careers, which gives the material an immediately endearing edge beyond the cavalcade of hits. Humorous clashes (primarily instigated by the outspoken Lewis) and interesting tidbits (televangelist Jimmy Swaggart is Lewis’ cousin; Perkins resented Presley for snatching “Blue Suede Shoes,” a hit he wrote and recorded first) keep the action engaging when the fantastic music subsides, but a deeper investigation into the lives and personalities of each artist, including Phillips, would have added considerable substance. Granted, Cash and Perkins provide a relatively juicy slice of drama when revealing their decision to move on from Sun Records, but stakes should have been raised elsewhere. Also, the presence of a random girlfriend for Presley, intended to boost the show’s sex appeal, is particularly superfluous and underwritten.
Nonetheless, this rip-roaring experience thrives on its thoroughly energetic and entertaining foursome who impressively play their own instruments while marvelously embodying the titular legends. Phenomenal pianist John Countryman is a funny firecracker as Lewis, a fiery Southerner longing to write his first hit. Countryman brings incredible passion to “Real Wild Child” and “Great Balls of Fire.” The suave Tyler K. Hunter effortlessly channels the hip-swiveling Presley in “That’s All Right” and “Hound Dog,” but wonderful sensitivity also abounds as he terrifically leads “Memories Are Made of This” and “Peace in the Valley.” As the plain-spoken Perkins, H. Bradley Waters provides satisfying versions of “Who Do You Love?” and “See You Later Alligator.” Scott Moreau is also perfectly cast as the understated Cash, pleasing audiences with toe-tapping renditions of “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Sixteen Tons” and “I Walk the Line.” Vince Nappo brings folksy joy to his portrayal of Phillips, the show’s narrator. As Presley’s current flame Dyanne, Kelly Lamont, who originated the role, seductively captivates in “Fever.” Bass player Corey Kaiser and drummer Patrick Morrow provide first-rate accompaniment.
“Million Dollar Quartet” only scratches the surface of Cash, Lewis, Perkins, Phillips and Presley’s greatness, but it’s an undeniable crowd pleaser just as winning on tour as it was on Broadway.
“Million Dollar Quartet” continues through June 22 at the Schuster Center, Second and Main Streets, Dayton. Performances are today and Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 and 7:30 p.m. The production is performed in 100 minutes without intermission. Tickets are $40-$96. For tickets or more information, call Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.
The national tour of the Broadway musical MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET,inspired by the electrifying true story, will make its DAYTON premiere June 17-22 at The Benjamin and Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center as part of Victoria Theatre Association’s Premier Health Broadway Series. Tickets are on sale now at Ticket Center Stage, by calling 937-228-3630, 888-228-3630 or online atwww.ticketcenterstage.com.
The international Tony® Award-Winning musical, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET is set on December 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, gathered the four legendary musicians at the Sun Records storefront studio in Memphis for the first and only time. The resulting evening became known as one of 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 timeless hits including “Blue Suede Shoes,” “That’s All Right,” “Sixteen Tons,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “I Walk the Line,” “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” “See Ya Later, Alligator,” “Fever,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Hound Dog” and more.
Portraying these icons are, H. Bradley Waters as Carl Perkins, John Countryman as Jerry Lee Lewis, Tyler K. Hunter as Elvis Presley and Scott Moreau as Johnny Cash. Vince Nappo plays the “Father of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” Sam Phillips. The cast also features Kelly Lamont as Dyanne, and musicians Patrick Morrow (Fluke, drums) and Corey Kaiser (Jay Perkins, bass). Rounding out the company are: Andrew Frace, Robby Kipferl,Stephanie Lynne Mason, Sean McGibbon, David Sonneborn, and H. Bradley Waters.
The show is directed by Eric Schaeffer and features a book by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux. The design team includes: Derek McLane (scenic design), Howell Binkley (lighting design), Jane Greenwood (costume design),Kai Harada (sound design) and Chuck Mead (musical arrangements and supervision).
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 labeled it, “a dazzling raucous spectacle that sounds like a million bucks,” and NY1 called it, “90 minutes of platinum grade entertainment.” The musical continued its successful New York engagement at New World Stages through June 2012.
The longest-running musical production in Chicago’s history, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET opened in 2008and continues to perform to packed houses at the Apollo Theatre. The West End production played at the Noël Coward Theatre in London in 2011, and a Las Vegas production began performances at Harrah’s Showroom in Las Vegas in February 2013.
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.
Performances run from Tuesday, June 17 to Sunday, June 22. Group sales are underway for groups of 20 or more. Groups may call Betty Gould at 937/228-7591 ext. 3074. Tickets start at $25 and are on sale now at Ticket Center Stage, located in the Wintergarden of the Schuster Center, by phone 937-228-3630, toll-free at 888-228-3630 or online at www.ticketcenterstage.com. For information on the production, visit www.MillionDollarQuartetLive.com
DMM Ticket Contest:
We’re sending one lucky winner and their guest to opening night on Tues, June 17th. Like this post, and fill out the form below to be entered in our random drawing. We’ll announce our winner Sunday. [form 55 “DMM Contest Entry – Generic”]
