The Lyceum Theatre Presents The Arrow Rock Premiere of Million Dollar Quartet
They came together to make music. Their story made history. Million Dollar Quartet is the Tony award-winning Broadway musical inspired by the electrifying true story of the famed recording session that brought together rock ‘n’ roll icons Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins for what would be one of the greatest jam sessions of all time. Featuring timeless hits such as “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Great Balls Of Fire,” “Walk The Line,” “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” “Fever,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Hound Dog” and many, many more, this thrilling musical brings you inside the recording studio with four major talents who came together as a red-hot rock ‘n’ roll band for one unforgettable night. It was rock ‘n’ roll’s best kept secret…until now!
David Hemsley Caldwell returns to the Lyceum to direct Million Dollar Quartet. The production features CHRISTOPHER FORDINAL as Elvis Presley, JOHNNY KINNAIRD as Johnny Cash, JEFFERSON MCDONALD as Jerry Lee Lewis, JAMES BARRY as Carl Perkins, BEN NORDSTROM as Sam Philips, STEPHANIE LYNNE MASON as Dyanne, ERIC SCOTT ANTHONY as Jay Perkins, and JON BROWN as W.S. “Fluke” Holland.
Making his Lyceum debut, CHRISTOPHER FORDINAL plays Elvis Presley. Some of Christopher’s previous credits include: Elvis in Million Dollar Quartet (Flat Rock Playhouse, Arts Center of Costal Carolina), Buddy Holly In Concert (Flat Rock Playhouse), and Little Princess with Andrew Lippa (Final Workshop).
Also making his Lyceum debut, JOHNNY KINNAIRD plays Johnny Cash. Johnny spent three years with the original production of MDQ in Chicago and later joined the New York cast. Most recently Johnny played Mr. Cash at Flat Rock Playhouse. Other recent roles include John Lennon in the Off-Broadway production of Lennon:Through A Glass Onion, Jim in Pump Boys & Dinettes (Geva Theatre Center, Cape Playhouse) and the young male principal in Ring of Fire (Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Totem Pole Playhouse).
Playing Jerry Lee Lewis, in his Lyceum debut, is JEFFERSON MCDONALD. Recent Credits include Spike in Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike (Asolo Rep, St. Louis Rep, Cincinnati Playhouse), Romeo in Romeo and Juliet (Asolo Rep), Al Joad in The Grapes of Wrath (Asolo Rep), Ernst Ludwig in Cabaret (Lake Dillon Theatre Company), and George Haverstick in Period of Adjustment (Wellfleet Harbor Actors’ Theatre).
JAMES BARRY, making his Lyceum debut, plays Carl Perkins, a role he played for 2 years on the 1st Nat’l tour, recently at the Gateway Playhouse, and looks forward to performing later this fall at The Ogunquit Playhouse. Broadway credits include Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson; Off B’way & NYC: These Paper Bullets (The Atlantic), Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (The Public), Sive (Irish Rep), Here’s Hoover (Les Freres Corbusier @ Abrons Arts Center); Regional: Pump Boys & Dinettes (Paper Mill Playhouse), These Paper Bullets (Geffen Playhouse & Yale Rep), Buddy Holly Story (North Carolina Theatre), Next To Normal (The Arden), A Thousand Clowns, The Caretaker, The Who’s Tommy (Berkshire Theatre Group), Sister Play, Wittenberg, Arms On Fire (Chester Theatre Company); TV: Difficult People.
Playing the part of recording impresario Sam Philips, is BEN NORDSTROM. Ben is a regular at the Lyceum, recently having played Lt. Thomas Keefer in The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial. He is a resident of St. Louis, where he has been seen in Macbeth, Next Fall, [title of show], and Urinetown at Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Mamma Mia, The Buddy Holly Story, and Billy Elliot at The Muny, and How To Succeed…, and Promises Promises at Stages, as well as work with Shakespeare Festival St. Louis, Tennessee Williams Festival, HotCity, New Jewish, Mustard Seed, OnSite, and Echo. Regional work includes the Alley Theatre, Cleveland Playhouse, Great Lakes Theater Festival, Arvada Center, and Theatre Raleigh.
Making her Lyceum debut, STEPHANIE LYNNE MASON plays Elvis Presley’s girlfriend, Dyanne. Stephanie is coming from the recent Broadway Revival Cast of Fiddler on the Roof. In addition to touring the country as Dyanne in the National Tour of Million Dollar Quartet, her regional credits include Louise in Gypsy, Tzietel and Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof, and Maria in West Side Story.
Returning to the Lyceum and playing the part of Jay Perkins, Carl Perkins’ brother, is ERIC SCOTT ANTHONY. Eric is returning for his 6th production at the Lyceum and is also the Musical Director for the show. Broadway: Ring of Fire. National Tour: Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (MD/Norm Petty). Pump Boys & Dinettes (Jackson). Regional: Ring of Fire at Flat Rock Playhouse, Merry Go Round Playhouse, and here at the Lyceum (MD). Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story Lyric Theatre of OK, Westchester B’way, (Joe Mauldin), Flat Rock Playhouse, (Joe Mauldin/MD), and Ogunquit Playhouse (MD). Hank Williams: Lost Highway (MD) at the Flat Rock and Merry Go Round Playhouse(s). My Mother’s Lesbian, Jewish, Wiccan Wedding (MD) at the Merry Go Round Playhouse. Without the guitar, Eric has performed in West Side Story (Tony) and 1776 (John Dickinson) at the Cumberland County Playhouse, and the Padre in Man of La Mancha at the Flat Rock Playhouse. A Native of St. Louis, Eric was a section leader and soloist with the St Louis Symphony Orchestra Chorus.
Playing the part of W.S. “Fluke” Holland, the drummer, is Lyceum regular JON BROWN. Jon is a professional musician based in St. Louis, MO. Regional musical theater credits include Stand By Your Man at the Lyceum and Ivoryton Playhouse [CT], Ring of Fire at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina [SC], the Arts Garage [FL], the Adirondack Theatre Festival [NY], Arrow Rock, the Ivoryton Playhouse and the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse [NY], the Shake, Rattle & Roll cabaret at the Florida Studio Theatre, “LM” in Pump Boys & Dinettes (National Tour – Troupe America, Theatre Under the Stars [TX], Lyric Theatre [OK]) and “Hoss” in Hank Williams: Lost Highway at the Lyceum.
DAVID HEMSLEY CALDWELL, a Lyceum regular, directs the production. Other Lyceum directing credits include: Little Shop of Horrors, Hank Williams – Lost Highway, Sanders Family Christmas, Smoke on the Mountain, Always, Patsy Cline, Nuncrackers, Annie, Big! The Musical, Nunsense, Homecoming, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and Bye, Bye Birdie. David has also appeared on the Lyceum stage in To Kill A Mocking Bird, Buddy! The Unexpected Guest, Pump Boys & Dinettes, Hairspray and Damn Yankees. David’s most recent credits include: Forum for Totem Pole Playhouse, Mrs. Mannerly for Max & Louie Productions Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike for CATCO and Grand Night For Singing for OST Summer Theatre. Regional credits include: Merrimack Rep. Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Milwaukee Rep., La Mirada Performing Arts Center, Meadowbrook Theatre, Riverside Theater, Downtown Cabaret Theatre, Montana Repertory Theatre, Pennsylvania Stage Company, Allenberry Playhouse, Florida Studio Theater, the Hula Hut in Waikiki and at M.T.C., New Dramatists and the Avalon Theater in NYC.
Scenic design is by Lyceum Theatre Resident Scenic Designer RYAN J. ZIRNGIBL. Mr. Zirngibl has designed many productions at the Lyceum including Les Miserables, A Christmas Carol, Around the World in 80 Days, The King and I, and Fiddler on the Roof. Lighting Design is by Resident Lighting Designer RANDY B. WINDER, who previously designed Les Miserables, South Pacific, Spider’s Web, Cats, The King and I, The Producers, and Spamalot among many others at The Lyceum. Costume Designers are ASHLEY HARRISON and CAMI HUEBERT. Resident Sound Designer RYAN MATTHEW HALL returns for his eighth season where he has designed Les Miserables, The King and I, Spamalot, The Producers, To Kill A Mockingbird, Fiddler on the Roof, and many more. IVAN DARIO CANO is the Production Stage Manager.
Single Tickets for Million Dollar Quartet are priced at $36.00 for adults. Senior, military, public safety, student and children discounts are available. Special Group Rates are available as well. Performances are September 7 – September 18, 2016, Evening performances are at 8pm and matinees are at 2pm. For tickets: www.lyceumtheatre.org, (660) 837-3311 x1, or in person at the Lyceum’s box office at 114 High Street, Arrow Rock, MO 65320.
The Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre is a non-profit 501(c)(3), professional theatre located in the unique village of Arrow Rock, Missouri, a 19th century National Historic Landmark. The Lyceum has been entertaining audiences in the heart of Missouri for 56 years producing a variety of musicals, dramas and comedies. Each year, this 408 seat theatre attracts professional talent from across the country to produce an eight show season (June-December). Performers, designers, directors, and technicians take residence in Arrow Rock for five months to bring its patrons Broadway caliber productions throughout the summer.
The Lyceum Theatre is affiliated with Actors’ Equity Association, the Union for Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States, and the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers.
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