The cast of "Million Dollar Quartet" takes a bow at the faux ending of the play.

 'Million Dollar Quartet' Worth Its Weight in Gold

Mill Mountain Theatre thundered back into the front ranks of Roanoke Valley entertainment tonight with its rockin' production of the Broadway hit "Million Dollar Quartet," a celebration of early rock 'n' roll.

The story is based on a day in the mid-1950s when four men who were to become rock legends--Johnny Cash, Elivs, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis--got together at Sam Phillips' Sun Studios in Memphis (I was there two years ago) and made a little music. It was their last time together and this story is riveting because of the music and the history it interprets.

Sun Studios was and is an out-of-the-way, tiny building in the center of Memphis where Phillips all but invented rock music, the kind the big record companies didn't know what to do with until he showed them.

This play is more of a celebration than a history book and celebrate it does. 

Director James Moye played Phillips on Broadway and he returns to his roots here (he's from Christiansburg) to take over the show. He is richly supported by talented musician Michael Perrie as Carl Perkins, outgoing Brady Wease as Jerry Lee, Tyler Breeding as a look-alike Johnny Cash and gyrating Edward La Cardo as Elvis. Katie Horner slots in as Dyanne, Elivs' lady-love, and nearly steals a couple of scenes with her breathy, bluesy renditions.

The music is outstanding and performed professionally and the crowd was part of the show tonight with its unguarded enthusiasm. 

It was truly lovely to be back in the flow of real theatre with a big crowd of people who love it. This show runs until late August and you can get tickets by calling 540-342-5740. You'll be glad you did.