Million Dollar Quartet Provides Timeless, Nostalgic Experience To Multiple Generations Of Music Lovers!

What if you could time travel back to any era and watch history unravel?

Better yet, what if you could travel back to the 1950’s and observe not one but four musical Hall of Fame legends enjoy a jam session at the most famous recording studio that ultimately launched the careers of four “Game Changers?”

Chicago’s Apollo Theater has empowered audiences with such an experience: Imagine being a “fly on the wall,” being able to witness the music, banter, camaraderie, competition and occasional angst between four of the most iconic musical greats (who were still human beings) during their early, prime days.

Million Dollar Quartet takes audiences on a magical trip back to a bygone era when Visionary Sam Philips, he of Sun Records fame, somehow, miraculously assembled Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley at his recording studio for one unforgettable night! There’s one moment towards the end of the performance that will absolutely give each and every audience member chills. (No spoiler alert necessary, trust me on this, however!)

Million Dollar Quartet is not just a musical, it’s an experience that die-hard music lovers of any era may find that they’ll most likely want to re-live periodically. After all, how often can you come cheer on The King and his cohorts by simply purchasing a ticket? There’s simply no better value for your entertainment dollar.

Lance Lipinsky’s Jerry Lee Lewis is worth the price of admission all by himself. His often times wise-cracking, humorous, bratty, wise-guy role is played to perfection as “The Killer.” Lipinsky’s interpretation of Lewis would make Lewis himself proud as he deftly performs all the early hits while displaying both keyboard and vocal chops that portray a young Lewis whose abilities need harnessing, like a wild young colt.

Andy Ahrens version of Sam Phillips is the perfect foil for Lewis, whom Phillips has to coral more than once during the show. Lipinsky’s Lewis is brash with no lack of ego, yet time and again, Lipinsky’s Lewis proves he’s got the chops to back up his big talk.

Shaun Whitley’s Carl Perkins is portrayed seamlessly, with Whitley proving why Perkins may have been one of the most underrated and prolific songwriter’s of all time. When Whitley as Perkins laments about folks believing that “Blue Suede Shoes” was Elvis’s song even though Perkins wrote it, you feel the genuine angst that Perkins projected, knowing that Elvis’s version trumped his with fans. The “Father of Rockabilly,” Perkins cannot be denied as one of rock and rolls greatest performers and composers.

One of the dark horses of the evening’s performances had to be Adam Lee as the brooding Johnny Cash-Wow! Talk about silky-smooth versatility bringing all the nuances of Cash’s deep-water range to the forefront! Lee killed it as Cash: Convincing, humble, dark, a brilliant performance by a singer/guitarist perfectly cast as the tortured Johnny Cash, an American Icon. Lee’s dark, brooding eyes and expressive acting were the perfect contrast for example to the “kick down the barn door” Jerry Lee Lewis. Cash is the mature, calm voice in the wind during some of the chaos in the air on that special night. Cash and Perkins were both up for contract renewals, which unfortunately for Sam Phillips, he loses both performer’s to the larger labels who have more “cash” and incentives to offer these great talents whom Phillips discovered.

Of course there’s no MDQ (Million Dollar Quartet) without The King himself-Elvis Presley: Brandon Bennett is the best incarnation of Elvis to date. Having seen MDQ four times, Bennett’s up and coming version of young Elvis on the precipice of fame is both convincing and fun to witness. You would think that with all the “Elvis” impersonator’s casting Elvis would be a slam-dunk. A no-brainer. Candidly, I would contend that Bennett’s version of Elvis is the first time MDQ nailed the casting call. Bennett, whose won every conceivable Elvis contest, prior to finding himself in the role as The King in MDQ is a dead-ringer for the young king (Yes, ladies, you’d better go catch the show before he finds himself in New York performing his role), with all the moves and subtle expressions (without being over the top). While Bennett is not quite as imposing in terms of physical stature, again, Bennett’s got the vocal/guitar chops and is unsurpassed having been born with Elvis’s features.

Rounding out the MDQ lineup is singer Kelly Lamont as Dyanne, a sultry, sexy version of a younger Peggy Lee in her prime. When Lamont croons “Fever,” even Elvis is impressed.

Side men Dan Leali (drummer Fluke), Marc Edelstein as Jay Perkins (Bass and Carl’s brother) are stellar in their backup roles.

Every song is a musical highlight, simply because we’re talking about a peek into four of the greatest game-changers fans have ever witnessed.

Spoiler Alert: Here are some of the wonderful hits fans can look forward to:

“Blue Suede Shoes,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “See You Later, Alligator,” “Long Tall Sally,” “I Walk The Line,” “Sixteen Tons/My Babe,” “I Hear You Knockin,” “Hound Dog,” and my personal favorites: Ensemble, featuring all four singers on the Gospel version of “Down By The Riverside,” along with Elvis’s “That’s Alright,” which can’t be beat!

Encore songs include: “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” “Great Balls of Fire and so many more as the entire cast performed a rocking medley that has the Apollo audience on their feet, dancing in the aisles. Of course Lipinsky and Bennett bring the house down in their roles during the encore, but every cast member shines to the final note is heard.

Million Dollar Quartet is one of the most satisfying nights of entertainment you can experience anywhere.

A must-see!