Four rock ‘n’ roll legends in search of a story.
With apologies to Pirandello, that's my take on the Atlanta Lyric Theatre-Georgia Ensemble Theatre co-production of "Million Dollar Quartet," the Broadway musical about that storied day in 1956 when Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins had an impromptu jam session at Sun Records in Memphis, Tenn.
That signal moment in the history of American pop wasn’t planned. As we see in the musical, it just kind of happened.
Though Sun Records founder Sam Phillips was the first man to record the four unknowns who went on to attain mythic stature, he wasn't able to sign them forever. Phillips' triumphs and inevitable disappointments provide the framework for this history-based jukebox musical, which arrived on Broadway in 2010, five years after the wildly successful and somewhat like-minded "Jersey Boys."
In “Million Dollar Quartet” (whose book, such as it is, is by Floyd Mutrux and Colin Escott), the music is everything. Fortunately, here we have four pop legends: personalities with a capital “P.”
The author of rockabilly classic “Blue Suede Shoes” (which Elvis conveniently co-opted and recorded for RCA Victor), Perkins was the least flamboyant, least famous of the quartet.
In this production, now playing in Marietta for Lyric audiences and set to move to Roswell’s Georgia Ensemble in April, Perkins is portrayed by Christopher Kent, an actor whose performance is strong and alluring.
Even better, to my mind, is Chris Damiano as Johnny Cash: You know, he of the gravelly baritone, slick pompadour and indelible songs of heartache, hard times and chain-gang life. (Damiano’s renditions of “Folsom Prison Blues” and “I Walk the Line” are standouts.)
Damiano, it seems, has a long history with “Million Dollar Quartet.” He played Cash in the long-running Chicago sit-down show. For this local run, he also serves as director and music director, which means he’s ultimately responsible for the whole kit-and-caboodle. And while there are some nice performances here, I’m sorry to say that the overall effect feels a bit thin — at times amateurish.
As Lewis, Ethan Parker is an able pianist and vocalist. He’s fun to watch, as he approximates Lewis’ famous swagger, smart aleck-y shtick, and wildly gymnastic keyboard style. Honestly, though, Parker overdoes the theatrics. (And don’t get me started on the whole lotta shakin’ he does with one particular strand of his unfortunate blond wig.) Still, his Lewis grows on you. His piano work is miraculous. I’d say he’s a young performer to watch.
Same goes for Chase Peacock, as Presley. The actor does a solid job with the sultry crooning and fluid speech of The King in his pretty-boy prime. His dancing, however, feels a little stiff. One would hope for a little more charisma, a little more flair.
Alison Wilhoit plays Elvis’ girlfriend Dyanne. Yes, it’s a small part. But it adds a welcome shot of feminine charm. Wilhoit’s movement vocabulary is memorable, especially the way she struts in those high heels.
As Phillips, newcomer Justin D. Thompson is a bit low-key. And while I appreciate the aw-shucks subtlety, his Phillips could use more snap. After all, he's the narrator, the small-time impresario who struck gold (more than once), but as described by Thompson, Phillips often threatens to disappear. (If you're interested in more about Phillips and Sun Records, CMT is launching a new TV series, "Sun Records," on Feb. 23.)
Here’s the thing about “Million Dollar Quartet”: The plot may be wispy, but the potential for entertainment is huge.
And with that opportunity comes responsibility: Any company that has the chutzpah to put doppelgangers of Presley, Cash, Lewis and Perkins onstage has its work cut out, needs to be able to say something compelling and smooth and smart.
The Lyric and Georgia Ensemble are wise, then, to combine their resources. Alas, this staging too often falls short. It rarely feels like a million bucks.
THEATER REVIEW
“Million Dollar Quartet”
Grade: C+
Through Feb. 26. 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Also: 2 p.m. Feb. 25. Atlanta Lyric Theatre, Jennie T. Anderson Theatre, 548 S. Marietta Parkway, Marietta. 404-377-9948, atlantalyric.com. The production runs at Georgia Ensemble Theatre in Roswell from April 6-23. For information: 770-641-1260, get.org.
Bottom line: Uneven but has its moments.
