{"id":111543,"date":"2026-04-28T12:30:54","date_gmt":"2026-04-28T19:30:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forallevents.com\/reviews\/?p=111543"},"modified":"2026-04-29T07:29:42","modified_gmt":"2026-04-29T14:29:42","slug":"million-dollar-quartet-presented-by-meadow-brook-theatre-rochester-hills-mi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forallevents.com\/reviews\/million-dollar-quartet-presented-by-meadow-brook-theatre-rochester-hills-mi\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cMillion Dollar Quartet\u201d presented by Meadow Brook Theatre, Rochester Hills MI"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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Reviewed by Suzanne Angeo (Member, American Theatre Critics Association)<\/em><\/p>\n

and Greg Angeo (Member Emeritus, San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle)<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Photos courtesy of Sean Carter Photography (2026) and George Pierce, Memphis Press Scimitar<\/em> (1956)<\/em><\/p>\n

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Cast-Million Dollar Quartet<\/p><\/div>\n

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A show so good, you may want to see it twice!<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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In December 1956, at the Sun Records studio in Memphis, Tennessee, four of rock and roll\u2019s biggest stars assembled just to sit around and sing some gospel songs, making history in the process. \u201cMillion Dollar Quartet\u201d is loosely based on this event from 70 years ago. While the show\u2019s creators, Colin Escott<\/strong> and Floyd Mutrux<\/strong>, took artistic liberties with some of the facts, they also infuse the action onstage with genuine history. It\u2019s all strung together with style and dynamic pacing, a great set and lighting, and of course the best rock and roll music the world has ever heard on one stage. Dance-in-the-aisles numbers include \u201cBlue Suede Shoes\u201d, \u201cWho Do You Love\u201d and \u201cGreat Balls of Fire\u201d among many, many others. It\u2019s a kind of theatrical alchemy, turning a simple session into musical gold.<\/p>\n

A memorable moment: each artist strikes a pose, frozen in the spotlight with dramatic shading, in front of their microphones in the tiny studio. The whole world is before them – fame and fortune and the adoration of millions.<\/p>\n

The actors all sing and play their own instruments with exceptional flair and are totally believable in their roles. The casting is ideal, especially Tyler Michael Breeding<\/strong> as Elvis. He captures Presley\u2019s moves and charisma to perfection. Alex Burnette<\/strong> is all frenzied energy as Jerry Lee Lewis, showcasing his unique rock n\u2019 roll piano playing and providing lots of laughs. Johnny Cash\u2019s deep baritone and moody persona are embodied in Nathan Robert\u2019s<\/strong> studied delivery. Sam C Jones<\/strong> gives a fine, multi-layered emotional performance as musical trailblazer Carl Perkins.<\/p>\n

Session musicians Fluke (on drums) played by Brady Jacot<\/strong>, and Jay (on bass fiddle), played by Chris Blisset<\/strong>, lend an authentic studio feel along with personal interactions with the rest of the cast.<\/p>\n

An unexpected guest that day is Elvis\u2019s girlfriend Dyanne, who also (wouldn\u2019t you know it) happens to be a really great singer. Kasie Buono Roberts<\/strong> flirts with everyone and steams up the stage from time to time with numbers like \u201cFever\u201d and \u201cI Hear You Knocking\u201d.<\/p>\n

Stephen Blackwell<\/strong> as Sam Phillips more than holds his own onstage alongside such commanding performers. In between songs, we hear him talk passionately about his studio, the music of the times, and his nurturing relationships with the four very special artists that came to his studio that day.<\/p>\n

Near the end, in a beautiful footnote to the show, we get to hear part of the actual tape of the session recorded at Sun Records by Cash, Lewis, Perkins and Presley, along with a projection of the now-legendary photograph snapped by local newspaper Memphis Press Scimitar<\/em> photographer George Pierce.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Million Dollar Quartet – photo by George Pierce<\/p><\/div>\n

There needs to be a special shout-out to: Lighting Designer Scott Ross<\/strong>; Sound Designer Brendan Eaton<\/strong>; Music Director Chris Blisset<\/strong> (the guy on bass fiddle); Scenic Designer Mia Irwin<\/strong> and Costume Designer Karen Kangas-Preston<\/strong>. They truly bring this spectacular show to life, transporting us back to that December day in 1956.<\/p>\n

Director Travis Walter<\/strong> has outdone himself once again, if that\u2019s even possible. The show is so vivid, the characters so lively, and the story so riveting that the 105 minutes pass like a dream. A dream where you keep hearing \u201cMemories Are Made of This\u201d and \u201cBrown-Eyed Handsome Man\u201d, long after you awaken.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

There is no intermission for this performance.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Please note new 7:30 PM evening start times for this season!<\/strong><\/p>\n

When: Now through May 17, 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

Tickets $40 to $48\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

Where: Meadow Brook Theatre at Wilson Hall<\/strong><\/p>\n

Oakland University<\/strong><\/p>\n

378 Meadow Brook Rd<\/strong><\/p>\n

Rochester Hills, MI 48309<\/strong><\/p>\n

(248) 377-3300<\/strong><\/p>\n

www.mbtheatre.com<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

his production is made possible through the generous support of the Fred and Barbara Erb Family Foundation, the Shubert Foundation and the Meadow Brook Theatre Guild.<\/em><\/p>\n

Meadow Brook Theatre is a professional theatre located on the campus of Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan. MBT is a nonprofit cultural institution serving southeast Michigan for 59 years<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  Reviewed by Suzanne Angeo (Member, American Theatre Critics Association) and Greg Angeo (Member Emeritus, San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle) \u00a0 Photos courtesy of Sean Carter Photography (2026)…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"yasr_overall_rating":5,"yasr_post_is_review":"","yasr_auto_insert_disabled":"","yasr_review_type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-111543","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-greg-suzanne-angeo"},"yasr_visitor_votes":{"stars_attributes":{"read_only":true,"span_bottom":"