Theater

Lettice and Lovage: a brilliant British comedy at the Westport Country Playhouse

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A hysterical comedy  is now in production at the Westport Country Playhouse in Westport Ct.  The play “Lettice and Lovage” is a witty British comedy that opened in Britain in 1987 and then on Broadway in 1990 where it was nominated for a Tony  and has been the recipient of much acclaim.

In the play we meet  Lettice Douffet who is a tour guide at a historic English manor run by the Historical Trust.   Lettice finds that the tourists who visit the site are bored as the home was never the scene of anything of real historic interest.  She embarks on embellishing the history of the manor with grand stories and details that are from her fertile imagination.      Her  boss at the trust Lotte Schoen gets wind of her historical inaccuracies and fires her.  After a change of heart Lotte visits Lettice at her flat where they enjoy an potent beverage called Lovage.  During this meeting the strict Lotte lets down her guard and reveals that under the dull trappings of a civil servant she is really a devoted lover of British culture and architecture that she feels is being destroyed by modern society.   An unusual friendship is formed  as they embrace Lettice’s creed of Enlarge, Enlighten, and Enliven!

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The play is clever, funny and a real delight.  The actors are wonderful and the direction is fantastic as the audience learns about the Lettice and Lotte and how their unusual relationship has enriched both their lives.  Set design is particularly good with three separate sets used during the performance.

There are excellent performances from the entire cast with Kandis Chappell as Lettice , Mia Dillon as Lotte , Sarah Manton  as Ms Framer (last seen in “What the Butler Saw at the WCP) and Paxton Whitehead the veteran actor who played the part of Mr. Bardoff on Broadway.  Mr. Whitehead has a long and distinguished career of stage and screen performances.

The play was written by Sir Peter Shaffer who has  written such classics as Equus and Amadeus.  Direction is by Mark Lamos who has directed many plays at the Playhouse and is himself a Tony award winner.

The play runs through June 17th

 

For Tickets and information:   http://www.westportplayhouse.org

Westport Country Playhouse

25 Powers Court  Westport Ct     tel.   (888) 927-7529

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End of the Rainbow: The final come back of Judy Garland comes to the Music Theater Of CT

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End of the Rainbow has come to the Music Theater of Connecticut in Norwalk.  The play chronicles the final comeback of screen and singing icon Judy Garland.   The play written by Peter Quilter opened in the West End of London in 2010 and was the winner of several Olivier Awards.  It opened on Broadway in 2012 and also was the recipient of several Tony nominations as well as Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards.  MTC is now proud to stage the first New England production of this play.

The setting of the play is in London in 1968 as Judy Garland  and her fiance and soon to be fifth husband Mickey Deans, arrive for  a five week run of shows that they hope will pull Judy’s career out of its spiral of bad press and her  battles with addiction.  The play is staged in her suite at the Ritz Hotel in London and onstage at the Talk of the Town where the audience is entertained by a number of standards including,  “For Me and My Gal”, “You Made Me Love You (I didn’t want to do it)” and “Over the Rainbow”.   Joining Judy for her tour is her adoring pianist and arranger, Anthony who despite his sexuality is in love with Judy and wants to take her away from her young fiance whom he perceives to be an opportunist.

The two act play which moves back and forth between the theater and the hotel room reveals to the audience Judy Garland’s struggles with alcohol, pills, and the reality that her shining star is not as bright as it had been.  As Judy spirals out of control during the 5 week run  of her stage comeback, she manages to upright herself and finish her performance.  The play is an emotional roller coaster for the audience as we see the struggles and successes  of such a famous star.

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The production features Colleen Sexton as Judy Garland and she delivers an emotional performance which captures the spirited and spunky character of Judy Garland.  Her vocal performances were outstanding and did not attempt to mimic Judy, but instead capture the raw energy and vitality of her style.  The audience was thrilled and rose to a standing ovation.

Luke Darnell portrays Mickey Deans her fiance, and delivers a fine performance as the character tries desperately to keep Judy on track and away from her addictions.   Thomas Conroy who plays Anthony her pianist is impressive as he has dual roles as her pianist and as her friend and adoring fan. A complex role which he handles well.   He brought heartfelt emotion to the role.   Matt Densky  has the task of three roles including Hotel Porter, BBC Radio Interviewer, and Stage manager and he shines especially in the role of interviewer.

The director (and co-founder) is Kevin Connors, who has brought to the area a memorable production that stays with the audience long after the curtain call.   The set design (Jordan Janota) is effective in using the small intimate stage to effectively convey the feeling that you are in two separate locations.

Please don’t miss this show.   End of the Rainbow runs  April 7-23, Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 4pm & 8pm, Sundays at 2pm.

Note: Adult content and language.   Running time is approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes.

Tickets are $30-$55. Reservations suggested.

http://www.musictheatreofct.com      tel.  203.454.3883

Music Theater of Connecticut

509 Westport Avenue  Norwalk Ct.

photo credits:  Music Theater of Connecticut

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Rumors: a hysterical Neil Simon play at the Ridgefield Theater Barn

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A very funny play “Rumors” written by Neil Simon is bring laughter to the Ridgefield Theater Barn in Ridgefield Ct.  Rumors is the only farce written by Neil  SImon whose credits include “Lost In Yonkers”,  “The Odd Couple”, “Goodbye Girl”, “Biloxi Blues” and more.  The audience on opening night was laughing throughout the two act play which runs approximately 2 hours.

The play is set in at a home in the New York City suburbs where a tenth wedding  anniversary party is to take place.  As the guests begin to arrive, they start to discover some odd things going on in the house.  The host has been shot in the head and is bleeding upstairs, his wife is missing and cannot be found and the help who should be preparing for the party are missing as well.  A real mystery.  Add to that a cover up of the shooting  by the guests. One of the guests who is running for State Senate, and he wants to avoid any scandal.  Throw the police into the mix, and you have the recipe of an evening of who done it meets over the top comedy.

 

The production features the direction of Scott Brill and the show producers are Pamme Jones and Paulette Layton.  The cast is wonderful and has great energy as you will see.  The cast of Jody Bayer (last seen at the Barn in Calendar Girls,  the hysterical Duane Lanham (also seen in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Wreck the Halls on the Barn stage), and the talented Deborah Burke, Kristin Gagliardim Rick Haylon, TIm Huebenthal, Leigh Katz ,Daniel Mulvilhill ,Matthieu Regney and Chhandra Som.

 

The Ridgefield Theater Barn is a fun venue.  It is small, only 70 seats and you sit at round or rectangular table and you can bring in your own food and wine to enjoy prior to the performance.  A great place to enjoy some local theater.

The best part:  tickets are only $24 and makes for a perfect date night.  The show is on Friday and Saturday nights at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm.    The show runs through March 25th.

 

Ridgefield Theater Barn 

37 Halpin Lane  Ridgefield Ct

for tickets:   ridgefieldtheaterbarn.org

 

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Christmas Inn: a musical to put you in the holiday spirit at the Westchester Broadway Theater

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A fun and light hearted holiday musical, “Christmas Inn” has come to the Westchester Broadway Theater for a limited engagement.   It is the story of a partnership and friendship of two entertainers who leave Ireland with the hopes of making it big in America.  The story fast forwards two generations to the grandsons of the two men who are also an musical entertainment act.  However the grandsons have split up and the only bond remaining is the fact that they both are partners in an inn in Sharon Connecticut called the Christmas Inn.

Bill Brewer (Kilty Reidy) arrives at the Inn with his son, Sam (Nick Varricchio) just before Christmas to stage the annual Christmas show at the Inn.  However the Inn has seen better days, and it is also about to host Buddy Baker (Jayson Elliot) the estranged partner of Bill.  The audience discovers that Buddy as majority partner has plans to sell the Inn to developers who intend to forever close its doors.   Will the Inn be saved and will the spirit of the holidays warm the heart of Buddy?

The cast includes Maxine the innkeeper (Ann-Ngaive Martin) who adds comedy to her scenes including her alcohol tinged performance of the “12 Daze of Christmas”.  Also impressive is Sara Cline (Linda Baker) who provides the evening with some of the best vocal performances.

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The rest of the talented ensemble of Holly Googe, Joel Pellini, Daniel Scott Walton and Gabriella Perez (prior on the WBT stage in Man of Lamancha and Showboat) sing and dance their way through the numerous Christmas songs that make up the musical.

The character of 10 year old Josie Evans (Molly Siena Culot/Ruby Griffin) is an important one in bridging the divide between the partners.  Her solo performance at the end of Act 1 was inspiring.

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The light hearted musical is filled with Christmas carols that are woven throughout the story.  At the finale, the cast invites the audience to sing a long in some Christmas tunes.

A fun evening and perfect to put you in the holiday spirit.

Ticket Prices Dinner & Show range between $56.00 and $84.00 PLUS TAX depending on the performances chosen. Beverage Service & Gratuities are not included in the ticket price. Discounts are available for children, students, and senior citizens at selected performances. Also check the website for on-going Special Offers! The show is playing through December 23rd  2016

for more information  and tickets

Westchester Broadway Theater    

  tel  914 592-2222

One Broadway Plaza  Elmsford NY

http://www.broadwaytheatre.com

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Sleuth: A great mystery to solve at the MTC Mainstage in Norwalk

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A wonderful mystery play has come to the MTC Mainstage in Norwalk, Ct.   Sleuth is being presented at the theater in a limited run through November 20, 2016.   The play was originally produced in 1970 and written by Anthony Schaffer and was released as a motion picture in 1972 starring Laurence Olivier and Michael Caine.  Both actors received Academy Award nominations for their performances.

The plot involves Andrew Wyke, and British writer of crime novels who lives in a country home in the English countryside filled with games.  He invites his wife’s lover, Milo Tindle to his home to confront him on their relationship.  Surprisingly, Andrew wants Milo to run off with his wife but Milo does not have the means to support her in the lifestyle to which she has grown to enjoy.  Andrew hatches a plot whereby Milo will break into Andrew’s home, steal a large sum of jewelry which he can pawn, and Andrew can file a claim against his insurance policy.    Andrew’s plan  has much more than just insurance fraud  as we find out.   The plot begins to thicken and the audience is drawn deeper into the intrigue and the working of the crime novelists mind.  The play keeps the audience on the edge of your seat until its conclusion

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The story moves along quite briskly during the two hour performance which includes fantastic performances by David Brickman as Milo Tindle and John Little as Andrew Wyke.  The theater is a small intimate space with seating on three sides of the stage.  The stage is flat and level with the first row of seats so that you feel as if you are actually in the play itself.  The set design by Jordan Janota is great as the manor house parlor is filled with furniture and games and that gives the feeling that you are inside one of the rooms from the board game, CLUE.  Very effective.

The play enjoys wonderful direction from Pamela Hill, and credit to  Kevin Connors ( Executive Artistic Director) and Michael Blagys (Lighting design) for their contributions to such a great evening of theater.

Tickets start at $45 and are available online.

MTC  Musical Theater of Connecticut

509 Westport Avenue  Norwalk Ct              tel: 203.454.3883

web: http://www.musictheatreofct.com/

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Camelot: a fresh adaptation of the classic musical at Westport Country Playhouse

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The legendary musical “Camelot” featuring Tony Award winner Robert Sean Leonard is currently being staged at the Westport Country Playhouse in Westport Ct.  The musical is based on the novel “The Once and Future King”by  T.H. White, which retells the legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.  The musical Camelot which opened on Broadway in 1960 and written by Lerner and Lowe starred Richard Burton, Julie Andrews and Robert Goulet.   It was the recipient of four Tony Awards.

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The story involves King Arthur of England and his ascent to the throne.  There he wants to create a new society of men, where differences are not settled by battle and war, but by courts of law.  He wants to bring peace to the land and creates a brotherhood of Knights whose mission it is not to bring war but to spread out and do good and noble deeds. Camelot is born and with it is the idealism of a better world.  It is in this setting that King Arthur meets and weds Guinevere,  and later is joined by Sir Lancelot.  It is this relationship that becomes a love triangle and threatens the very foundation of Camelot.

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The current production is a fresh and innovative look at the classic musical.  The entire production has been streamlined from the original and the story moves along easily during the 2 hour performance.  I have seen other productions of Camelot which are heavier and slower paced.  This production seems lighter, fresh and breathes new life into this classic.  Almost all the Lerner and Lowe songs are present in the production.  As part of the thinning of  the story, some of the better known characters such as Merlin are absent.

The performances by the actors are superb!  Robert Sean Leonard as King Arthur is magnificent and it is no wonder he is the recipient of several Tony nominations  and a Tony Award.  He brings a bounty of emotion to the role which was felt by the audience especially at the end of Act 2.    Britney Coleman is delightful as Guinevere, as her acting and amazing vocal talents light up the stage.    Excellent performances were also given by the rest of the cast including Stephen Mark Lukas as Lancelot and Patrick Andrews as Mordred.   A wonderful job by David Lee who adapted the book, and Mark Lamos for his direction.  The cast was greeted by an enthusiastic standing ovation at the conclusion of the performance.

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Performances run through November 5th 2016.

for tickets and more information including videos:

http://www.westportplayhouse.org/

Westport Playhouse

25 Powers Court Westport Ct

 

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You should be Dancing! Saturday Night Fever comes to the Westchester Broadway Theater stage

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Saturday Night Fever,the musical comes to the Westchester Broadway Theater stage.  This musical adaption of the 1977 movie which starred John Travolta was adapted for the stage and premiered in London in 1998 and on Broadway in 2000.  It has enjoyed numerous tours, and revivals around the world.  It now comes to Westchester and runs through January 29, 2017.

The story (inspired by  a 1975 article in New York Magazine by Nik Cohn) follows the life of 19 year old Tony Manero (Jacob Tischler) of Brooklyn, who lives with his family in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.  He is stuck in a job with no future and is caught up in the economic malaise that was the late 1970s.  With his father laid off from his job and his brother questioning his path into the priesthood, Tony and his friends turn to dancing as their escape.

We follow Tony’s exploits as he displays his talents on the floor of the 2001 Odyssey club where he absorbs the admiration of his fellow club goers.  Here he meets Stephanie Mangano (Alexandra Matteo) a 20 year old dancer who has moved away from the neighborhood to Manhattan where she is looking to transform herself.  Tony is intrigued by her dancing ability and her boldness in leaving Brooklyn and her old life behind.  They find as they practice for a dance contest that they have more in common then they originally thought.

 

Tony’s gang of friends and his family are all woven into the story as well as Tony discovers he really is “going nowhere” and must make decisions about his future.

The musical score including all the Bee Gees hits (“Staying Alive”, “Jive Talking”, “You should be Dancing”, Night Fever” ) are all here including songs not in the movie.  The arrangements of some of the songs have been changed which makes them fresh and more interesting and in some cases the lyrics have more impact in the context of the story.

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Set design by Michael Bottari makes full use of the WBT stage and included are a bridge which spans the back of the stage and frames the story, the Manero’s kitchen which appears from below and then disappears below stage, the disco, and other locals from the story.

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The cast is large with both main players and ensemble singer/dancers.  Michelle Dawson who last appeared in Man of La Mancha returns to the WBT stage  lends her vocal talents to several musical numbers including “Nights on Broadway”.  Lead actors Jacob Tischler and Alexandra Matteo are excellent in every aspect of their performance and the chemistry between them is quite convincing.  Directed by Richard Stafford who does an excellent job bring the characters to life.

All in all a fun musical that is family friendly and is a treat not just for fans of the film but anyone who enjoys a story of struggle,self discovery  and of course great dancing.

Get out your dancing shoes and boogie over to the Westchester Broadway Theater in Elmsford.

(all photos provided by Westchester Broadway Theater)

Tickets (includes dinner) run from $56 to $84 depending on performance date chosen.

For tickets:  

tel:  914 592-2222

http://www.broadwaytheater.com

Westchester Broadway Theater

One Broadway Plaza  Elmsford New York

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From the creator of House of Cards: “Farragut North” at the Ridgefield Theater Barn

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Playwright Beau Willimon, the creator of “House of Cards” (Netflix hit series), delivers a powerful and timely play about the inner workings of presidential campaign.  The work was influenced by his own personal experience of working on both US Senate and Presidential campaigns.

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Farragut North premiered in 2008 at the Atlantic Theater Company in New York and would become the basis for the screenplay for the motion picture “Ides of March“.  That screenplay was written by Willimon, George Clooney and Grant Heslov (The Monuments Men).  The play has now come to the Ridgefield Theater Barn and will be performed through October 1, 2016

The play is set during a presidential campaign in the days leading up to the Iowa Caucuses.  The audience meets many of the main characters in Scene One including Stephen (Jack Tynan) they young and blindly ambitious press secretary, his boss Paul (Fred Rueck) the seasoned campaign manager, Ida (Julie Zelman) the crafty and ambitious New York Times reporter who will do whatever it takes for a story, and Ben (Ryan Wenke) the young reserved staff assistant who is kept at a distance by his seasoned superiors.  We learn in this scene both the intrigue and the behind the scenes tactics of a national campaign and how the campaign can manipulate the press and craft the candidates message to serve its needs.

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Scene Two of Farragut North is a critical scene where Stephen meets secretly with Tom (Steven A Miller) who is the Campaign Manager of his rival.  In the meeting in a quiet restaurant outside Des Moines, we learn the dirty secrets of misinformation and poll manipulation by the other candidate.  The crafty Tom leads Stephen to believe that his candidates campaign is all but over and he should jump ship and join his team.  Stephen who is both young and ruthlessly ambitious has had his life turned upside down by these revelations and he begins to question his own future.

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The political intrigue and games continue for the rest of the play with the appearance of Molly (Margaret Fegan) who is a young amorous intern who is learning more than just national campaigns.  It is her interactions with Stephen that brings to light issues of loyalty, fidelity, betrayal and honesty both on a personal level and in the campaign.

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There are excellent performances all around and direction by Cathy Fitzgerald Linder is first rate.

NOTE:  The play contains adult language and subject matter and is not suitable for minors.

Tickets:       $24  ( a real bargain!!)    $20 for seniors, students and veterans

Seating in the 70 seat theater is Cabaret style at tables and doors open 1 hour before showtime.  You can bring your own food, wine and snacks to enjoy prior to the show.

For tickets and information:

Ridgefield Theater Barn 

37 Halpin Lane Ridgefield Ct

http://ridgefieldtheaterbarn.org/

 

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“What The Butler Saw”, a hysterical British comedy at Westport Playhouse

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“What the Butler Saw” is now playing at the Westport Country Playhouse in Westport Ct.  This historic theater which opened over 80 years ago has  hosted to a long list of amazing theatrical talent. Among the actors to grace the stage here over the years are Jane Fonda, Gene Wilder, Richard Dreyfuss, Jane Powell, Jerry Stiller and Paul Newman just to name a few.

The current production is a comedy written by Joe Orton back in the 1960s.  It is a classic British farce and the laughs are plentiful as the play(under 2 hours) really moves along.   It addresses such topics as marriage, infidelity, mental health, gender roles and gender definition, and of course the changing opinion of who in the cast is sane or insane.

The story is set in Britain in the office of a Doctor at a psychiatric clinic.  Dr. Prentice (Robert Stanton) interviews a young woman, Geraldine Barclay (Sarah Manton) who is seeking a job as his secretary.  His motives are quite clear wants to seduce the young woman and nearly does so when his nymphomaniac wife, Mrs. Prentice (Patricia Kalember) enters his office and the entire story goes quite mad from here. The audience has to hold on as we learn Mrs. Prentice is being blackmailed by a hotel bell hop (Chris Ghaffari) .The arrival of Dr Rance (brilliantly played by Paxton Whitehead) really shakes things up.  He is a psychiatrist sent by the British Government to inspect the clinic.  His arrival further turns the story on his head with his crazy misdiagnoses of everyone including Dr. Prentice.

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There is mistaken identity, false accusations and the local police (Julian Gamble) are involved try to resolve the whole mess.  The comedic timing of the actors is flawless. Direction by John Tillinger is fantastic and the cast really works together well.  Set design of the clinic office and its numerous doors (which are put to comedic use as the actors us them to great effect) is well done.

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The actors have a long list of impressive credentials.  Paxton Whitehead has made numerous appearances on Broadway  including, “My Fair Lady” , and many television and movie appearances including “Back to School” with Rodney Dangerfield.   Patricia Kalember has numerous Broadway and stage credits.  She has appeared in films and in television shows such as “Sisters” “Orange is the New Black” , “Law and Order” and many more. The whole cast is wonderful and the audience really enjoyed the performance.

“What the Butler Saw” has adult theme as is not suitable for children.

Don’t miss this hysterical comedy!

For tickets, show times and more information:

http://www.westportplayhouse.org/

Westport Country Playhouse

25 Powers Court  Westport Ct.

 

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Million Dollar Quartet: Rock & Roll history comes to life at the Westchester Broadway Theater

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The musical “Million Dollar Quartet” is rocking audiences at the Westchester Broadway Theater.  The international hit musical which ran on Broadway and received three Tony Nominations was inspired by an actual event in Rock and Roll history.  On December 4, 1956, four early Rock and Roll artists just happen to get together at Sun Records Studios in Memphis for a jam session.   The artists that came together that night were Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins (Blue Suede Shoes), Johnny Cash and a new comer named Jerry Lee Lewis (Great Balls of Fire).   The session which was recorded became rock and roll legend and the four would never play together again.

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The musical is inspired by that fateful evening back in 1956.  The performance is part rock concert,  and part musical.  Inter weaved with all the great Rock and Roll songs from that era is the story of Sun Records,  Sam Phillips and the artists themselves.

Sam Phillips was the owner of Sun Records Studio, a tiny shop  in Memphis. Phillips had an uncanny ability of discovering raw talent.  It was he who discovered and promoted a  young Elvis Presley , Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins,  Jerry Lee Lewis, and later Roy Orbison who would all become some of the biggest stars in early Rock music history.

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The musical takes place entirely in Sun Studios on the evening of December 4, 1956.  The story is narrated by Sam Phillips who sets the scene of that fateful evening.   Carl Perkins has come to the studios with his brother and their drummer to work on a new record.  Sam Phillips has brought in a new talent, a feisty and unpredictable Jerry Lee Lewis to play piano on the track.  Later Johnny Cash drops in to discuss his contract renewal with Sun Records.  Eventually Elvis and his girlfriend stop by (Elvis at this point has moved on to RCA records)  and the jam session begins.   The stage design is brilliant and depicts the studio and recording room of Sun Records, and really transports the viewer back in time.  Very effective.

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The audience not only learns some of the history of these important artists, but are treated to a lively concert of great hits including, Blue Suede Shoes, Great Balls of Fire, Matchbox, Fever, Whole lot of Shakin’ Going on, Folsom Prison Blues and more.  The cast shows off its talents at acting, singing and playing guitar or piano.  The actors are not trying to actually impersonate or imitate the original artists.   Their performances are more inspired by the actual artists which allows their talents to really shine.  The performance was fantastic and the cast received a standing ovation from the opening night crowd.

The production stars Dominique Scott as Jerry Lee Lewis , Ari McKay Wilford as Elvis Presley, Sky Seals as Johnny Cash, Jason Loughlin as Sam Phillips, John Michael Presney as Carl Perkins, and Bligh Voth as Dyanne (girlfriend of Elvis).  Rounding out the cast are Sam Weber as the stand up bass playing Jay Perkins, and David Sonneborn as Fluke.  Set Design by Derek McLane .

Directed by Hunter Foster, who appeared in the original cast. The musical director is David Sonneborn.

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Photo from the original jam session 1956

Million Dollar Quartet runs through September 11, 2016

Discounts available for groups (20 or more)

Dinner (salad, entree and dessert) is served prior to the performance and is included in the purchase price.    Wine and cocktails available at additional cost.  Luxury Boxes are also available for groups of 6 to 20.

For ticket information:

Westchester Broadway Theater

1 Broadway Plaza

Elmsford New York 10526

http://www.broadwaytheater.com

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