The smash hit musical from Broadway, inspired by the 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 the first and only time..
MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET is in
HOUSTON, TEXAS USA NORTH AMERICAN TOUR
TOUR CAST
LEE FERRIS (Carl Perkins) is making his National Touring debut as Carl Perkins in Million Dollar Quartet. As a solo recording artist and lead singer, guitarist, and songwriter for the Los Angeles band Freddy and Francine, Lee has collaborated with some of the best musicians in the country. Acting credits include Berger in Michael Butler's 40th Anniversary of "HAIR" and The Phantom in Vox Lumiere's "The Phantom of the Opera." Lee is grateful for the opportunity to bring the Sun Records catalogue to life and to pay tribute to one of the most influential musicians of the past century. leeferris.com
MARTIN KAYE (Jerry Lee Lewis) was born in Manchester, England and has recently moved to Long Island, New York. Having worked as a professional musician for ten years, he has released an album, "About You", will soon be releasing his second album, "Everything The Pen Wants To Say" and is collaborating with songwriter/artist Kenny Nolan on a future album. Martin has spent the last four years performing around the world, entertaining with his piano and his mismatched socks in the unique way for which he has become known. Martin is incredibly excited to be touring with Million Dollar Quartet. His credits include: Daddy Brubeck (Sweet Charity); Tin Man (The Wizard of Oz); Narrator (Joseph); Motel & Tevye (Fiddler On The Roof); Captain Tempest (Return To The Forbidden Planet); Mike (A Chorus Line); Charlie Guiteau (Assassins). Martin would like to thank Holly, Aaron Levy, Ring Cycle Management, Station 3 Entertainment, Telsey Casting, Relevant Theatricals, John Cossette Productions, Northern Lights Inc., Broadway Across America and his folks back home for all their support. Martin-K.com
DEREK KEELING (Johnny Cash), (Danny) GREASE on Broadway and National Tour. (Charles Darnay) premiere company A TALE OF TWO CITIES, NBC's GREASE: YOU'RE THE ONE THAT I WANT. Highlights: CONNECT/DISCONNECT NYC (MITF award for best leading actor), (Fonzie) HAPPY DAYS, (Chad) ALL SHOOK UP, (Glen) THE WEDDING SINGER, (Skip) LIFE COULD BE A DREAM. Concerts: Cal Philharmonic and Feinstein's NYC. www.derek-keeling.com
CODY SLAUGHTER (Elvis Presley) Cody is a 20 year old, true Southern boy from Harrison, Arkansas. Elvis Presley Enterprises’ named him Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist of 2011’ Cody makes his debut into theater in a role some say he was born to play, performing as the King of Rock N Roll. www.CodyRaySlaughter.com
CHRISTOPHER RYAN GRANT (Sam Phillips) Million Dollar Quartet (Broadway, National Tour). Other theatre: Rattlestick, Ars Nova, Yale Rep,Shakespeare Theatre Company (DC), TwoRiver Theatre, the O'Neill, many more. BFA: University of Evansville (’05), British American Drama Academy atOxford, MFA: YaleSchool of Drama.
KELLY LAMONT (Dyanne) Velma Von Tussle in Hairspray (Fireside Theatre, WI), Ellen in Miss Saigon (Fullerton Civic Light Opera, Los Angeles Stage Alliance Ovation nominee for "Featured Actress in a Musical"). Other credits include Hero in Much Ado About Nothing, Jackie Coryton in Hayfever, Measure for Measure and Richard III (Utah Shakespearean Festival), Helena in A Midsummer Night's Dream (Milwaukee Shakespeare). She received her B.F.A in Acting from the University of Illinois. Kelly is an original cast member of Chicago's Million Dollar Quartet. Kelly can also be seen in various pin-up photography and stars in a Marilyn Monroe tribute act. Visit her at www.kellylamont.com. To my beautiful mom, whose presence I feel with me every step of this journey.
BILLY SHAFFER (Fluke, Drummer) is thrilled to be part of this production. He is an original cast member of the Chicago production of Million Dollar Quartet, performing over 1200 shows there. He has played in the Chicago area for many years with a wide variety of artists, including the Riptones, Jump 'n the Saddle Band (of "Curly Shuffle" fame), Johnny Frigo, Jethro Burns (of Homer & Jethro), Robbie Fulks, and numerous other musicians. He has toured with Grand Ole Opry artists Billy Walker and Ferlin Husky. Billy sends his many thanks to GMS and Evans, and most especially to my family and friends for their love and support.
CHUCK ZAYAS (Jay Perkins, Bass player) has been performing on stage for more than 20 years as a bass player, singer, songwriter, band leader, sideman session player and producer. He has played bass and was lead vocalist in Rocket 88 and is the frontman for his most recent "roots" project, The Midnight Ramblers. He performed with Million Dollar Quartet in the Florida production and is an original Chicago cast member.
AUSTIN COOK (u/s Jerry Lee Lewis) Acting credits: Putting It Together (music director, man #4), Some Enchanted Evening (music director/pianist)*Jeff Award Music Direction, A Tale of Two Cities (Dr. Manette)*Chicago premiere. Music Director credits: Theo Ubique Cabaret, Porchlight Theatre, Second City. He wishes to thank manager Matthew Sitz, friends and family for their love and support!
SCOTT MOREAU (u/s Sam Phillips, u/s Johnny Cash) is from Maine and received a BFA in Music Theatre from Illinois Wesleyan University. He is overjoyed to become part of the MDQ family and Actor’s Equity. Thanks to mom, dad and Rachael for all of their support. www.scottmoreau.com
JOHN MICHAEL PRESNEY (u/s Carl Perkins, Asst. Stage Manager) Television: "Boardwalk Empire" (HBO). Bro(u/s Carl Perkins) recently received his B.F.A. (Musical Theater) from the Theatre Conservatory at Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. Credits include: Sweeney Todd (Anthony) and The Producers. Thanks to Stewart Talent; special love and thanks to Katie. Proud member AEA.
DAVID SONNEBORN (u/s Fluke, u/s Jay Perkins ) A Cincinnati native and a NYC musician since 1982, currently playing drums or bass in "Western Caravan", "The San AnTones", "Savanah Sky", "Li'l Mo Trio", "Dime Store Romeos". Toured in "Always, Patsy Cline". Also a broadcast audio technician (Court TV, TruTV). Love to Becky
ALYSSA MARIE (u/s Dyanne) favorites include: the world premieres of Little Miss Sunshine, directed by James Lapine and Limelight, directed by Warren Carlyle (La Jolla Playhouse); Audrey, Little Shop of Horrors; Kathy Seldon, Singin’ in the Rain (Performance Riverside); Woman #1, My Way (Tower Theater in Bend, Oregon); Anytime Annie, 42nd Street (Fullerton CLO); and the west-coast premiere ofThe Producers (Musical Theatre West).“Love and thanks to Mom, Dad, Crystal, Pat, Mits, Grandpa Ed and Grandma Robin!”
BILLY WOODWARD (u/s Elvis Presley, u/s Johnny Cash) made his Broadway debut with Million Dollar Quartet. A working singer/songwriter, this Maryland native has performed throughout the Mid-Atlantic region with his band, Billy Woodward &The Senders. Billy's music can be heard at: billywoodward.com. Love to Mama, Pops & Rosie.
NORTH AMERICAN TOUR
TOUR CREATIVE TEAM
Eric Schaeffer (Director) is the artistic director/co-founder of Signature Theatre, Washington DC, recipient of the 2009 Regional Theatre Tony Award and home to the American Musical Voices Project, the largest musical commission program in the country. Broadway: Follies, Million Dollar Quartet, Putting It Together, Glory Days. West End: The Witches of Eastwick, Million Dollar Quartet. Kennedy Center: artistic director, Sondheim Celebration, Sunday in the Park With George, Passion; Mame, Follies.
Colin Escott (Co-Author). Born in England, Colin Escott lives near Nashville, Tennessee. He is the author of several books, including Good Rockin' Tonight: Sun Records and the Birth of Rock 'n' Roll, the first in-depth account of the Sun Records story. He co-produced "Hank Williams: Honky Tonk Blues" for PBS and BBC, and won a Grammy for The Complete Hank Williams on Mercury Records. He is a consultant to Time Life Music.
Floyd Mutrux (Co-Author) apprenticed at Alley Theatre, Houston; Second City, Chicago; studied in NY while working at Second City and attending Colombia University; in Los Angeles, created idea, wrote, directed or produced 50 films in 25 years: American Hot Wax (Best Picture, Director, Village Voice, etc.), Scarecrow (Best Film, Cannes), Hollywood Knights, Urban Cowboy, The Untouchables, American Me, Freebie and the Bean, Up in Smoke, Dick Tracy, Ice Cube's new football movie and with his wife, Birgitte, created a rock 'n' roll Field of Dreams, Moon Over Memphis. (floydmutrux.com)
Derek McLane (Scenic Design). Credits: The Miracle Worker; Ragtime; 33 Variations (2009 Tony Award, Best Scenic Design); The Pajama Game (Tony Award, Best Revival); Grease; The Threepenny Opera; Little Women; I Am My Own Wife (Tony Award, Best Play); The Women; Present Laughter; Holiday; Ruined; Lie of the Mind; Becky Shaw; Rafta, Rafta; 10 Million Miles; Things We Want; The Voysey Inheritance; Two Trains Running; Hurlyburly; Abigail's Party; Aunt Dan and Lemon. Awards: 1997 and 2004 Obie Awards; 2004, 2005, 2007 Lucille Lortel Awards; 2006 Tony nomination.
Howell Binkley (Lighting Design). B'way works include Memphis, West Side Story (Tony nom.), Guys and Dolls, In the Heights (Tony nom.), Jersey Boys (Tony Award), Avenue Q, Parade, Kiss of the Spider Woman (Tony nom.) and How to Succeed.... Extensive regional and dance works. Joffrey Ballet (Billboards), Parsons Dance (co-founder) for which he has designed more 60 pieces and the Kennedy Center's Sondheim Celebration. Five-time Helen Hayes Award recipient, 1993 Sir Laurence Olivier Award and Canadian Dora Award for Spider Woman, 2006 Henry Hewes Design Award and Outer Critics Circle Award for Jersey Boys.
Jane Greenwood (Costume Design). More than 100 Broadway/Off-B'way credits including Present Laughter, A View From the Bridge, Waiting for Godot, Thurgood, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Trumpery, Heartbreak House, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, On Golden Pond, A Moon for the Misbegotten, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Master Class, The Sisters Rosensweig. Metropolitan Opera: revival of Adriana Lecouvreur (2009), Dialogue of the Carmelites, The Great Gatsby; Chicago Lyric Opera: Nabucco and Rigoletto; SF Opera: La Favorita. Film: Arthur, Can't Stop the Music, Glengarry Glen Ross. Awards: Irene Sharaff Life Time Achievement Award, Theatre Hall of Fame, 15 Tony nominations. Professor, Yale School of Drama.
Kai Harada (Sound Design) attended Yale University before leaving to pursue a career in theatrical sound design. As associate to sound designer Tony Meola, he has worked on such projects as A Christmas Carol; The Sound of Music; Disney's Der Glöckner von Notre Dame; Kiss Me, Kate; Sweet Smell of Success; and Wicked. Regional and Off-Broadway designs include Two Cities, Heaven Help Us!, Under the Bridge, Barbie Live! in Fairytopia and Million Dollar Quartet in Chicago. In his spare time he supervises the sound for Wicked around the world.
Chuck Mead (Musical Arrangements and Supervision). For the past 15 years singer/songwriter Chuck Mead has stood at the forefront of the Americana roots music movement as co-founder and front man of the three-time Grammy-nominated and Country Music Association Award-winning country band BR-549. After five acclaimed albums and two hit EPs, Chuck released his first solo record Journeyman's Wager in 2009 and continues to tour the world. Also known as a record producer, MDQ is Chuck's first foray into musical theatre.
Michael Keller (Music Contractor). Music coordination for Broadway: American Idiot, All About Me, The Addams Family, Fela!, Memphis, Next to Normal, West Side Story, Billy Elliot, In the Heights, Wicked, Mamma Mia!, The Lion King; Barbra Streisand concerts (1994- 2007). Pamela, Zachary and Alexis make it all worthwhile.
Tom Watson (Hair and Wig Design) is head of the wig department at the Metropolitan Opera. He has designed wigs for more than 40 Broadway productions. Recent Broadway designs include The Addams Family, A View From the Bridge, Present Laughter, Wicked, Rock of Ages, South Pacific and Sunday in the Park With George.
David Ruttura (Associate Director) has worked as an Associate/Assistant Director on Broadway (Follies, Lombardi, Million Dollar Quartet, White Christmas, A Man For All Seasons), Off-Broadway (Atlantic Theater Co., Roundabout), regionally (Kennedy Center, LaJolla Playhouse, Philadelphia Theater Co.), and internationally (Ben Hur Live). Artistic Director of Good Company. goodcompanynyc.org.
David Lober (Production Stage Manager). Among many projects, David has been the Production Stage Manager on "Wicked", "The Lion King," "Disney's Beauty and the Beast," "Aida," "The Ten Commandments", "Sunset Blvd," "The Light in the Piazza," "Caroline or Change," and "Saturday Night Fever." davidlober.com
Michael Krug (Stage Manager) has toured through over 200 cities in the last ten years. "The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page." Thanks to my parents, family and friends for their love and support.
Tesley + Company (Casting). Broadway/tours: Enron, The Addams Family, All About Me, Race, Memphis, Next to Normal, Rock of Ages, South Pacific, In the Heights, Wicked, Legally Blonde, Peep Show in Vegas. Film: Sex and the City 1 and 2, Jonah Hex, Main Street, Love and Other Impossible Pursuits, I Love You Phillip Morris, Rachel Getting Married, Dan in Real Life, Then She Found Me, Across the Universe, Ira & Abby, Rent, Pieces of April, Camp, Grey Zone, Finding Forrester, Bone Collector.
Relevent Theatricals (Producer), headed by Gigi Pritzker and Ted Rawlins, develops and produces new work for the stage. Current projects include The Great Gatsby, on course to open in London next year; Snapshots, a new musical with book by David Stern and music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz; and a new musical version of Dennis the Menace. Relevant's sister company, Odd Lot Entertainment, develops and produces film properties. Current films include Rabbit Hole, based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by David Lindsay-Abaire, starring Nicole Kidman, Aaron Eckhart and Dianne Wiest and directed by John Cameron Mitchell.
John Cossette Productions (Producer). John
Cossette Productions was founded by John Cossette whose 30 year career
in the music industry as an innovative producer of large scale events
was legendary. John produced the Grammy's, the BET awards, the 1996
Olympic Games in Atlanta and a star studded concert in Central Park. He
was deeply involved with MusiCares and the EJ Jackson Foundation which
helps to feed the homeless in Los Angeles. Under the direction of Rita
Cossette the company will continue to develop and produce music related
entertainment.
American Pop Anthology (Producers: Floyd & Birgitte Mutrux). An anthology series of Rock n’ Roll Bios about the people ‘who made the music that changed the culture of our country’. Floyd, along with Colin Escott and Birgitte (choreographer MDQ in Florida), have worked together on the Tony nominated Baby It's You, workshopping Lonesome Town (with John Kaye) and preparing Boy From NYC for the 2012 season.
Broadway Across America (Producer), part of the Key Brand Entertainment family of companies which includes Broadway.com, 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. Broadway.com is a premier theatre website for news, exclusive content and ticket sales. Under the supervision of Beth Williams (COO and Head of Production), Broadway Across America is also dedicated to the development and production of new and diverse theatre. Current Broadway productions include How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying starring Daniel Radcliffe and John Larroquette, Million Dollar Quartet, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Jerusalem, Memphis and the West End production of Million Dollar Quartet. For more information, please visit BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com and Broadway.com.
James L. Nederlander (Producer). President of Nederlander Organization, son of James M. Nederlander (Chairman), third generation of a family known for owning and operating theatres around the world as well as theatrical productions and popular musical attractions. Currently represented on Broadway with Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, and David Blaine’s upcoming show.