STG Presents: MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET Coming to Seattle May 15-20

After its Introduction at The Village Theatre, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET Returns to Seattle on its National Tour

Coming to The Paramount Theatre May 15 – 20, 2012

The national tour of MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, the Tony Award®-winning musical inspired by the true story of four rock ‘n’ roll icons, will play The Paramount Theatre starting May 15 as part of the KeyBank Broadway at The Paramount series. Tickets are now on sale and are available on-line at stgpresents.org, tickets.com, and select Ticketmaster locations. Tickets are also available by calling 877-STG-4TIX (784-4849) or in person at The Paramount Theatre Box Office (Monday through Friday, 10am to 6pm).

On December 4, 1956, an auspicious twist of fate brought Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley together. The place was Sun Records’ storefront studio in Memphis. The man who made it happen was Sam Phillips, the “Father of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” who discovered them all. The four young musicians united for the only time in their careers for an impromptu recording that has come to be known as one of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll jam sessions of all time.

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET brings that legendary night to life with an irresistible tale of broken promises, secrets, betrayal and celebrations featuring an eclectic score of rock, gospel , R&B and country hits including; “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Fever,” “Sixteen Tons,” “Who Do You Love?,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “Matchbox,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “ Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” “Hound Dog,” and more.

The show started here in the Seattle area as a reading at The Village Theatre in 2006. Six years later, the show continues to enjoy successful runs across the world with engagements in New York, Chicago and London. In 2008 the smash-hit musical opened in Chicago and continues its run at the Apollo Theatre. The Broadway production premiered at the Nederlander Theater in April of 2010 and currently is running at New World Stages. The first international production of MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET debuted in February 2011 at the Noël Coward Theatre in London's West End.

The New York Times praises MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET by saying, “A hit parade of favorites, providing the audience with blast after blast of sweet nostalgia.” Echoing accolades come from the Associated Press as they describe the production as ‘“MUSICAL FIREWORKS! MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET gets the cheering audience to its feet!” NY 1 agrees, “MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET makes for 90 minutes of PLATINUM GRADE ENTERTAINMENT.”

The cast includes Lee Ferris as Carl Perkins, Martin Kaye as Jerry Lee Lewis, Derek Keeling as Johnny Cash and Cody Slaughter as Elvis Presley. Christopher Ryan Grant will play the “Father of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” Sam Phillips.  The cast also features Kelly Lamont as Dyanne, and musicians Billy Shaffer (Fluke, drums), and Chuck Zayas (Jay Perkins, bass). 

Rounding out the company are: Austin Cook, Scott F. Moreau, John Michael Presney, David Sonneborn, Alyssa Marie, and Billy Woodward. 

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET is directed by Eric Schaeffer and features a book by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux. The design team for the national tour includes: Derek McLane (scenic design), Howell Binkley (lighting design), Jane Greenwood (costume design), Kai Harada (sound design) and Chuck Mead (musical arrangements and supervision).

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.

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET is produced on Broadway by Relevant Theatricals, John Cossette Productions, American Pop Anthology, Broadway Across America and James L. Nederlander.

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET will be at Seattle’s Paramount Theatre for eight performances. The schedule for the Seattle engagement is:

Tuesday, May 15                              7:30 pm
Wednesday, May 16                         7:30 pm
Thursday, May 17                             7:30 pm
Friday, May 18                                  8:00 pm
Saturday, May 19                              2:00 pm and 8:00 pm
Sunday, May 20                                1:00 pm – An ASL performance

6:30pm – An Open Caption performance

For tickets to these performances, call the TTY line at 888-331-6774.

Tickets for MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET start at $25 and are now on sale and available on-line at stgpresents.org, tickets.com, and select Ticketmaster locations. Tickets are also available by calling 877-STG-4TIX (784-4849) or in person at The Paramount Theatre Box Office (Monday through Friday, 10am to 6pm).

The 2011-2012 KeyBank Broadway at The Paramount series is presented in partnership by Broadway Across America and Seattle Theatre Group.  KeyBank is the title sponsor of the Broadway at The Paramount series and The Roosevelt Hotel is the official sponsor of Broadway Across America – Seattle.

For more information on MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, visit www.milliondollarquartetlive.com.

###

About Broadway Across America
Broadway Across America (Producer) is owned and operated by British theatre producer John Gore (CEO) and entertainment industry veteran Thomas B. McGrath (Chairman). Broadway Across America presents first-class touring musicals and plays across 40 North American cities. Under the supervision of Beth Williams (COO & Head of Production), Broadway Across America is also dedicated to the development and production of new and diverse theatre.  Current Broadway productions include Promises, Promises; Million Dollar Quartet; A View From The Bridge; Lend Me a Tenor; La Cage aux Folles; Hair and West Side Story.  Touring productions include Dreamgirls and Nickelodeon's Storytime Live.  Please visit BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com.