'Million Dollar Quartet' at The Music Hall features 'Broadway talent'

PORTSMOUTH — "Million Dollar Quartet," a collaboration between The Music Hall and Ogunquit Playhouse, is about more than what's on stage. It's about art, yes, but also the business of art, relationship and the future.

As art, "Quartet" is about raising the roof with exceptional actors, portraying four groundbreaking, mid-20th century musicians, who brought rock 'n' roll to the masses.

As a collaboration, this is the culmination of a three-year effort to deliver a spring production, delayed by the COVID pandemic since 2020.

Finally, as a business venture, the hope is that a spring production will become an annual event, and that the current version will help rectify some of the issues the COVID pandemic left in its wake.

Standing ovations for 'Million Dollar Quartet'

First the art of it: a knock out show, thanks to a spectacularly talented cast.

"Million Dollar Quartet," a jukebox musical, is based on an actual event. In 1956, four stars and stars-to-be, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash, had an impromptu jam session at the Sun Records Studio, owned by Sam Philips, and the place each got their start.

During "Quartet's" opening weekend, the production was met with thunderous applause and numerous standing ovations, and with good reason. The talent is exceptional, both on and behind the stage. It's truly a triumph.

That, of course, gives hope to the production's business angle.

"This is an enhancement of our partnership with the Ogunquit Playhouse," Executive Director Tina Sawtelle said. "This is kind of an experiment between the two of us to see if there is an audience this time of year, and if it works for both of our organizations, in terms of production times and that sort of thing."

Music Hall still facing pandemic challenges

Today The Music Hall has more on the line than when the project was first planned in 2020, Sawtelle added, "there's a new key driving factor."

"We're trying to fully restore our business model post-COVID," Sawtelle said. "We're exploring to see if this will help us fully regain the financial stability we had prior to the pandemic."

Since the pandemic, The Music Hall's film and literary programming have taken a hit.

The film series is currently experiencing smaller attendance, she said. The literary programming levels have stayed steady, but, since the pandemic, it's harder to confirm authors, leading to fewer events than in previous years.

"So, certainly, pulling those up is what we're aiming for here," she said. "We won't know how well it works for us till we get through the complete run of the show."

To be a success, the spring selection had to meet certain criteria. The "Million Dollar Quartet" fills the bill, Sawtelle said; "It's a perfect production."

The chosen work required a smaller cast, "but with all the qualities of the music and storyline of a Broadway show." It had to call for less staff, shorter set-up time and fewer production needs. "MDQ" had it all.

Still, a spring show comes with risks, Sawtelle added.

Its timing means a fair percent of the core live-theater audience hasn't returned from warmer climates. In addition, The Music Hall is giving up stage time that could otherwise be used to present national musical and comedy tours.

The ace-in-the-hole is the show itself.

Veteran performers headline 'Million Dollar Quartet'

The Ogunquit Playhouse "brings Broadway quality, and this play is packed with top talent," Sawtelle said.

"Nat Zegree who is playing Jerry Lee Lewis, will be doing his 500th  performance of that role here. ... And Scott Moreau as Johnny Cash has done over 1,000 performances," she said. "The performances across the board are high quality."

"Quartet's" story, legendary in the music field, is appealing. Its production is perfection.

The entire cast brings authenticity to the characters, with the four principals leading the pack, Zegree as Jerry Lee Lewis, Christopher Wren as Carl Perkins, Daniel Durston as Elvis Presley and Moreau as Johnny Cash.

Opening weekend, the quartet delivered iconic rock tunes with superb voices and musicianship (each performs their own instrument). In addition, each of the quartet performs an impressive physical impression of their character with laser-like precision, whether its classic Elvis moves, or Cash's straightforward persona.

All four are worth top billing, each impressive. But Zegree has to be singled out for his jaw-dropping, electric performance as the excitable Louis. It's simply astounding. There's that bit where he jumps over a piano, lands perfectly and without skipping a beat continues to play a tune - not once but twice.

He plays piano with his elbows, his posterior, and in various contorted positions - always on key, and never missing a beat. It's a stunning performance, one you're unlikely to forget.

The Saturday production also included Bart Shatto as Sam Philips, Evan Bertram as Dyanne, Kieran McCabe as Fluke, and Nathan Yates Douglass as Jay, with each nailing their role. - It's a show that lives up to the producers' hype.

"So, this is a beautiful fit between two non profit organizations; each bringing something of real value to the table," Sawtelle said. "It's such a high quality show. ... But, its (business) success? That's yet to be determined."

'Million Dollar Quartet': what to know if you go

Where: The Music Hall, 28 Chestnut St, Portsmouth

When: Through April 9

Cost: $50 to $99

Important ticket note from Sawtelle: Buy tickets direct from the Music Hall website. Outside ticket resellers are adding exorbitant fees.

Information: themusichall.org or call (603) 436-2400

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: 'Million Dollar Quartet' at The Music Hall features 'Broadway talent'