Yearly Archives: 2016

Cast of Million Dollar Quartet

Patrons of the Chemainus Theatre Festival have shown us their enthusiasm for musical tributes time and again. And we wholly agree with their reviews. There is something extraordinary about the combination of a live music and performed storytelling.

This appreciation for tribute-style shows is one reason we bring you Million Dollar Quartet and Ring of Fire: Project Johnny Cash.

What makes a tribute show stand-out? It is the way that music and background story intertwine. Unlike traditional musicals, the actors play the instruments, which defines qualities of their character and their journey.

Million Dollar Quartet is like four tributes in one, with the music and stories of iconic artists united by the coolest, coincidental event in music history: the day a young Jerry Lee Lewis was playing piano for a Carl Perkins recording session, when the sudden appearance of chart-topper Elvis Presley and rising-star Johnny Cash transforms the night into a red-hot recording session – thanks to the quick-thinking producer, Sam Phillips.

Ring of Fire: Project Johnny Cash reveals how cash went from a modest life of farming to one of influential fame – all based on his genre-busting sound that still kicks-it today. It is potent with the themes of love, faith, family, rowdiness, resilience through hard times, and redemption. The beauty of Johnny Cash is he let us hear many strands of a growing nation finding its groove. And there is something appealing about the idea of wild individualism set against the fabric of community.

We hope you are thrilled with performances of both these blockbuster Broadway hits – and all the incredible theatrical experiences we are bringing you in 2016.

Set Design Laurin Kelsey, Costume Design Crystal Hanson, Lighting Design Craig Alfredson, Stage Manager David Baughan, Apprentice Stage Manager Linzi Voth, Live Mixer Andrew Nicholls

“Million Dollar Quartet is the inspiring tribute to a phenomenal moment in time.”

Million Dollar Quartet, currently at the Chemainus Theatre Festival until March 26, 2016 is a boisterous tribute to a seminal moment in rock ‘n roll history—brim-full of excellent musicianship, impeccable design and enough moments of nostalgia to satisfy fans of the era.

The legendary Sam Phillips of Sun Records (played here by Leon Willey in a splendid cajoling manner) certainly knew how to spot raw talent, and his myth-making abilities were remarkable. When he arranged for a reporter and photographer to snap the photo of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and the upstart Jerry Lee Lewis at a recording session December 4 1956, the significance would not be realized for decades. It took until 1981 for the session recordings to be released, and it wasn’t until 2006 that a regional theatre known for making musicals (several of which have gone on to Broadway stages and awards) — Village Theatre in tiny Issaquah WA–brought the story to the stage. Million Dollar Quartet debuted on Broadway in 2010. The Chemainus Theatre Festival Production is the Canadian début. By creatively stretching the truth, creators Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux have crafted a highly entertaining show built around some of the greatest hits in the artists’ catalogues. Only two numbers—the Gospel classic Down By the Riverside and Brown Eyed Handsome Man—were in the original recorded session. Ascribing the role of narrator to Sun Records head Sam Phillips, sharing interesting tidbits about the young stars he discovered in a conspiratorial fashion, allows each actor to feature in a personal vignette.

The Chemainus Theatre Festival Production is the Canadian début.

Leon Willey (Sam Phillips). Photo: Cim MacDonald Playing Jerry Lee Lewis with all his flamboyant personality and self-assured and precocious talent, Montgomery Björnsson repeatedly flashes his most engaging smile in an attempt to win over the others, to no avail. This constant search for the spotlight and need for adoration sets up dramatic tension throughout the script.

Daniel Kosub displays a tight and contained energy as Carl Perkins, and his deft and soulful licks on the electric guitar are remarkable. His notable numbers include See You Later Alligator (featuring Kosub as Perkins and Alexander Baerg as Elvis) and the overlapping Sixteen Tons (with Jonas Shandel as Johnny Cash) and My Babe (Kosub) where the guitars appear to duel with one another.

Baerg as Presley has a frenetic energy on numbers like Hound Dog (glitzy lighting effects by Craig Alfredson) and That’s All Right with signature pelvic thrusts and wide-legged splits, and quiet introspection on Memories Are Made of This.

Shandel, last seen as The Man in Black in last year’s hit Ring of Fire, displays slow, honest, undisputable authority on Walk the Line and Folsom. Björnsson, like his namesake, brings down the house on Great Balls of Fire and Whole Lotta Shakin’ when he pulls out all the stops—playing the piano backwards and pounding the keys with his feet.

Meaghan Chenosky as Dyanne stands in for Marilyn Evans–a Las Vegas dancer and Elivis’ girlfriend at the time, who was not a singer. Chenosky’s sexy voice on Fever is shiver-inducing. The only female onstage, she is often coaxing and teasing the others into better behaviour, when she isn’t stepping outside to become their confidante in hushed tête-à-têtes, and is memorable in a role confined to the back pages of history (in fact it’s only after the success of Million Dollar Quartet that Evans was eventually located).

Kraig Waye (Brother Jay and also the musical director for the show) on bass and Scott Carmichael (Fluke) on drums round out the ensemble as the quintessential studio musicians, whole-heartedly and professionally committed to the task at hand.

Million Dollar Quartet is the inspiring tribute to a phenomenal moment in time

Under the direction of Mark DuMez, the actors, much like the rock icons they portray, slip into a groove common to talented individuals—there is an evident ease and camaraderie among them that comes from knowing each other’s skills, and constantly pushing to improve the performance of the group. They share the stage easily, with deference and humility, seizing the spark of the original musicians.

When a sound engineer or live mixer does their job well, most audience members will never notice. Andrew Nicholls is flawless in the execution of his role, perfectly balancing vocal ranges and the numerous mics and instruments, further enhancing an already highly entertaining show.

The set design by Laurin Kelsey appears as if dropped from a 1950s time warp with glass block windows, walls decorated with gold albums, and a sound booth lit from within.

Costume designer Crystal Hanson has a lot of fun with the wardrobe, particularly for the finale when the four stars appear in glamourous and sparkly attire.
Montgomery Björnson

One glorious afternoon, four icons of rock ‘n roll found themselves in the same room, thanks to their mentor Sam Phillips. Million Dollar Quartet is the inspiring tribute to a phenomenal moment in time—captured due to the foresight of a seminal showman and promoter—one this Chemainus Theatre Festival production faithfully honours. In the mid-1950’s, four young and talented musicians met by chance, and made music history, in one red-hot jam session. Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash are famous for their legendary songs and rock ‘n’ roll hits. Million Dollar Quartet is the acclaimed story about their astonishing careers and this landmark day in music history.

(This review originally posted by Janis Lacouvee)

Mark DuMez

Welcome to our 2016 Season. It’s a year where we tell stories from all over the map – rural Ontario, small towns in New York and Oklahoma, the Great Lakes and, in our Kidzplay show, a mystic part of the BC Coast. We are looking forward to a fantastic ride tasting flavours from all over.

In my early 20’s, I had the joy of sampling tastes of the American South for the better part of two years. I worked on a mask show, painted houses and trained in one of the most unique experiences of my life in and around Nashville and journeyed to other parts including Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi the Blue Ridge Mountains. It all had a life-long impact and informed my artistry. Something about the heat, the flavour and the spirit of the place is entirely unique in North America and stews creativity.

In the musical realm, rockabilly is a uniquely Southern spice that went on to shape music all over the world, and this blend of blues, gospel, folk and other elements had its origin in the place we will visit in this show – Sun Studio, Memphis, Tennessee. A world of sound and personality sprung from this small storefront. The recipe for this musical jambalaya is part sun drenched soil, a helping of both wild spirit and a few quarts of good ole’ boy fun. We hope you enjoy it as much as we have.

About Mark

Mark is a proud resident of Vancouver Island and has enjoyed directing Sherlock Holmes, Jeeves in Bloom, A Pretty Girl (A Shayna Maidel), Ring of Fire, Elf: The Musical, The 39 Steps and Amadeus for Chemainus Theatre. Other favourites include: A Christmas Carol, Strindberg’s Easter, Anne, Mr. Pim Passes By and Pet the Fish. He has collaborated with companies including Theatre X, Pacific Theatre and TheatreOne to develop over a dozen new plays. Favourite acting credits include: Mass Appeal, Enchanted April, Queen Milli of Galt and Streetcar Named Desire.